BB: SCAC: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[frank_ezelle]

The local newspaper has a great story on Millsaps this morning.  Before I give the link, I'd like to take a moment to address an issue about this D3 message board:

The Millsaps people know about the photos I take and possibly even have some idea of the number of hours it takes to cover all the Millsaps teams.  There's hardly enough time left for anything else including posting to this message board, but I post here because it is important.  It helps bring recognition to the Millsaps teams and players, something that is almost universally lacking in D3 sports programs.  I don't want to see the Millsaps teams and individuals get virtually no recognition--something that happens with many of the other SCAC programs and players when no one from their school takes the time to post to the message board.

I have a point and it isn't that I'm so wonderful.  The point is that by posting to this board, it become inevitable that some people will get upset about what I write.  Even when trying to stay positive, even when avoiding second guessing, there will be some people who will find reasons to get upset.  Like recently when I said that in my opinion, it looked like the pressure of being #1 or trying to achieve #1 in the last month was a factor in the mini-slump at the end of the year.  I'm under the impression that this offended some people, spinning it to make it sound like I was accusing the team of choking under pressure.  That wasn't what I said.  I said exactly what Coach Page says in this article--it looked like Millsaps started trying not to lose instead of trying to win.  They changed their focus as their situation changed.

I hardly care about what non-Millsaps people think about my opinions and I don't expect every Millsaps person to agree with all of my opinions.  It's just bothersome when some people take one small piece of the whole and then get upset because they misinterpret or simply disagree with an opinion.  If you disagree, sign on and write a post.  And if you think you can do better, join in so I can post less and get a little more free time in my life.

That's just something I've wanted to get off my chest for the entire year.  And now I'll get off the soapbox and here's the link to this morning's story:
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090512/SPORTS030105/905120333/1287/SPORTS/Once+ranked+No.+1++Millsaps+hopes+to+get+its+mojo+back+for+D-III+playoffs&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL

[frank_ezelle]

---MILLSAPS WEBCASTS---

There will be a Millsaps webcast tonight from 6-7 Central time to look back at the 2009 season and look ahead to the Central Regional.

Also, all Millsaps games will be webcast by Millsaps.  Since Millsaps did webcasts of NCAA Tournament football games this year, I presume that they have gotten all of the apporpriate okays from the NCAA for these webcasts.

Here's a story with more info and with the link to the webcast:

http://www.gomajors.com/news/2009/5/12/BB_0512090021.aspx

[donotknowscac]

The local newspaper has a great story on Millsaps this morning.  Before I give the link, I'd like to take a moment to address an issue about this D3 message board:

The Millsaps people know about the photos I take and possibly even have some idea of the number of hours it takes to cover all the Millsaps teams.  There's hardly enough time left for anything else including posting to this message board, but I post here because it is important.  It helps bring recognition to the Millsaps teams and players, something that is almost universally lacking in D3 sports programs.  I don't want to see the Millsaps teams and individuals get virtually no recognition--something that happens with many of the other SCAC programs and players when no one from their school takes the time to post to the message board.

I have a point and it isn't that I'm so wonderful.  The point is that by posting to this board, it become inevitable that some people will get upset about what I write.  Even when trying to stay positive, even when avoiding second guessing, there will be some people who will find reasons to get upset.  Like recently when I said that in my opinion, it looked like the pressure of being #1 or trying to achieve #1 in the last month was a factor in the mini-slump at the end of the year.  I'm under the impression that this offended some people, spinning it to make it sound like I was accusing the team of choking under pressure.  That wasn't what I said.  I said exactly what Coach Page says in this article--it looked like Millsaps started trying not to lose instead of trying to win.  They changed their focus as their situation changed.

I hardly care about what non-Millsaps people think about my opinions and I don't expect every Millsaps person to agree with all of my opinions.  It's just bothersome when some people take one small piece of the whole and then get upset because they misinterpret or simply disagree with an opinion.  If you disagree, sign on and write a post.  And if you think you can do better, join in so I can post less and get a little more free time in my life.

That's just something I've wanted to get off my chest for the entire year.  And now I'll get off the soapbox and here's the link to this morning's story:
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090512/SPORTS030105/905120333/1287/SPORTS/Once+ranked+No.+1++Millsaps+hopes+to+get+its+mojo+back+for+D-III+playoffs&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL

Hey Frank,
I have enjoyed your posts over the years.  Unlike a lot of boards I read I really like this board because most of the posters keep it positive and avoid the smack that is associated with athletics.

Since you post the most on this board you always run the risk of someone turning what you post into a negative.  It's just the nature of posting on any subject.  But, I have never taken your posts that way. 

Good luck in the South bracket.  Rhodes beat NC Wesleyan earlier in the year.  I know a little about a couple of the other teams and I think you guys have a great chance of coming out of there on top.

Man, I look at the teams that got in and think of what could have been for Rhodes.  They got beat by Marietta by one run in ten innings.  Had Wisconsin Stevens Pointe beat in the ninth and kicked the ball around for a one run loss.  Oh well, on to next year for the Lynx.  Sure gonna miss those seniors!

Also, good luck to Hendrix, what a great season they have had!

[BigPoppa]

The local newspaper has a great story on Millsaps this morning.  Before I give the link, I'd like to take a moment to address an issue about this D3 message board:

The Millsaps people know about the photos I take and possibly even have some idea of the number of hours it takes to cover all the Millsaps teams.  There's hardly enough time left for anything else including posting to this message board, but I post here because it is important.  It helps bring recognition to the Millsaps teams and players, something that is almost universally lacking in D3 sports programs.  I don't want to see the Millsaps teams and individuals get virtually no recognition--something that happens with many of the other SCAC programs and players when no one from their school takes the time to post to the message board.

I have a point and it isn't that I'm so wonderful.  The point is that by posting to this board, it become inevitable that some people will get upset about what I write.  Even when trying to stay positive, even when avoiding second guessing, there will be some people who will find reasons to get upset.  Like recently when I said that in my opinion, it looked like the pressure of being #1 or trying to achieve #1 in the last month was a factor in the mini-slump at the end of the year.  I'm under the impression that this offended some people, spinning it to make it sound like I was accusing the team of choking under pressure.  That wasn't what I said.  I said exactly what Coach Page says in this article--it looked like Millsaps started trying not to lose instead of trying to win.  They changed their focus as their situation changed.

I hardly care about what non-Millsaps people think about my opinions and I don't expect every Millsaps person to agree with all of my opinions.  It's just bothersome when some people take one small piece of the whole and then get upset because they misinterpret or simply disagree with an opinion.  If you disagree, sign on and write a post.  And if you think you can do better, join in so I can post less and get a little more free time in my life.

That's just something I've wanted to get off my chest for the entire year.  And now I'll get off the soapbox and here's the link to this morning's story:
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090512/SPORTS030105/905120333/1287/SPORTS/Once+ranked+No.+1++Millsaps+hopes+to+get+its+mojo+back+for+D-III+playoffs&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL

Frank, what you have done for Millsaps, and D3 Baseball in general with your postings and photos is remarkable. Please keep up the great work.

FYI: Those that matter never have a problem with you... though many people do have a problem with the truth. Keep it up.

[Gus Sinski]

Hendrix will have its work cut out with a noon start on Wednesday.
Hopefully, the NCAA has travel arranged for them today and they have Tuesday to acclimate, get on the field and not be traveling. Traveling on Tuesday would be unfair to those kids.
If not, well, they have overcome everything else this year, why not one more???
That CA trip has to help them immensely in terms of confidence.  There isn't anyone here they have not seen and everyone starts 0-0 on Wednesday.
Gus, isn't Daniel Ward from Washington??
What a nice reward for a senior.
How is the hand?? Any word on it...that you care to share?

The hand: Danny of late has been wearing a cast over his hand that's big enough to hunt with. You could easily club a wilderbeast to death with this thing. That said, the general thought at the moment is that he's going to play Wednesday. Though I don't know the exact details, Danny's injury is one that typically takes weeks to heal, but can also be played through given the proper precautions.

It certainly helps that Ward had a tough go of things in Hendrix's do-or-die series at Southwestern, and showed only flashes in Jackson. This shows that Hendrix has so far been able to score runs as a lineup, rather than waiting for Danny to do his usual magic. The whopping six players on the SCAC All-Tournament team support this.

The outlook: When I was in Jackson, someone told me that Hendrix reminded them of last year's Fresno State team...not overly talented, but hard-nosed, united and catching fire at the perfect time. I found this to be a pretty apt description. The only issue is that that the Warriors have hardly had anything even remotely resembling a routine since then. The players, of course, have long since stopped worrying about what factors may be working against them, and the coaches seem to think that the hay is in the proverbial barn by this point.

But yet and still, the fact remains it's been a while since this team has been in a competitve setting. The bats will have to get back in the groove very quickly, because pitching depth will be the same issue it was in Jackson.

Odds and ends: The state newspaper ran a front-page story on the Hendrix team in today's paper. While I most certainly cannot vouch for the character of the gentleman who penned the article, it's the first time any Hendrix College team has been featured in the state publication since 1995.

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/259457/

Aforesaid newspaper also ran a Web feature with extended player and coach interviews. I think you can access it here, but then, I never know how this stuff works.

http://www2.arkansasonline.com/videos/2009/may/11/3553/

And finally, at the risk of incurring the Internet version of a roomful of people staring blankly at me and blinking: Hendrix's first opponent, Pomona-Pitzer, was the former teaching home of the late writer David Foster Wallace, who died this past September. Not sure how many readers are on this board, but as a certified book nut, I'd be remiss in not dropping an endorsement. If you've never read Wallace, pick up his classic essay collection A Supposedly Fun Thing Ill Never Do Again or the posthumous publication This Is Water and thank me later.

That's it for now, folks. To those who managed to make it to Oregon, wish I could drink a post-game pitcher of beer with ya. GO WARRIORS!

[Ralph Turner]

Great videos, Gus!

Got the link to those literary masterpieces?   

[infielddad]

Gus,
Thank you for posting the link to the article and video.
Not sure who he is, but the reporter  appears to have a very, very bright future!!!
In reading the article, looking at the videos and reading the links Frank provided to Coach Page and his team at Millsaps, I can certainly understand why both teams are still "competing."
Part of the equation is talent. I loved reading the backgrounds of the Hendrix players.
The other part is heart and  a "team" first attitude. The video interviews vividly capture that "team" first aspect for the Hendrix players.
And finally, it is a somewhat interesting dichotomy when we look at the two SCAC post season teams.
As Frank and I posted earlier this year, Coach Page used the history of success in building chemistry and commitment for this Millsaps' squad.
Hendrix appears to have used the ability to "overcome"  history as a major part of their motivation.
I continue to believe that the best talent does not always correlate with championships.  Success in college baseball  combines talent with  heart, leadership, commitment and focus.
Talent alone often times isn't enough.
Talent combined with the others leads to unforgettable memories of the type you are reporting.
Gus, thanks for your "reporting."

[frank_ezelle]

Today's forecast for Moline, IL:

Today: Windy with thunderstorms - possibly strong. Storms may produce large hail and strong winds. High 72F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph.
Tonight: Scattered thunderstorms, some strong during the evening, will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Storms may produce large hail and strong winds. Low 49F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Millsaps is scheduled to play the second game at 3:30.

While waiting on the weather, here's a local high school story that has some connection to Millsaps baseball and maybe Millsaps football.  I know that Drew Maddox's mom missed the Millsaps webcast last night because her son Luke had a high school playoff game.  The game was the place to be as Luke homered in his last 2 at-bats during a come from behind 7-6 victory.  It wouldn't be bad to have another Maddox to photograph for the next 4 years.

The football connection comes from a comment made about one of the other Jackson Prep stars of the night, saying that he's "looking at joining the football team at Mississippi State or Millsaps next fall".  Despite the success of Millsaps, the presences of Coach DuBose, and hopefully the possibility of being a national champion at Millsaps, it stills seems odd to read about a player weighing the choices between playing for an SEC team or an SCAC team.  At least he'll get SEC quality coaching either way, maybe more so at Millsaps!

Here's the link to the story:  http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090513/SPORTS06/905130371/1287/SPORTS/AAA++Big+blasts+save+Pats+in+Game+1&referrer=NEWSFRONTCAROUSEL

[frank_ezelle]

From the Tournament website at Moline, IL:

The first-round NCAA Division III baseball regional games scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 have been delayed by rain. The noon game between Carthage and Fontbonne will not start on time. No start time has been determined. Check back later for more details.   (as of 11:25 Wed. morning)

[Gus Sinski]

Ditto for Hendrix in McMinneville. We'll be pushed back about an hour, or so I'm being told.

Perhaps I already missed this, but is there a LiveStats link or something for Millsaps? I'd like to be able to keep up with them as well.

From the Tournament website at Moline, IL:

The first-round NCAA Division III baseball regional games scheduled for Wednesday, May 13 have been delayed by rain. The noon game between Carthage and Fontbonne will not start on time. No start time has been determined. Check back later for more details.   (as of 11:25 Wed. morning)

[Gus Sinski]

 Ignore the aforementioned. Today's games at Linfield have been officially washed out.

[frank_ezelle]

A Trip Down Memory Lane:

For reasons not important here, I did an internet search on Ole Miss baseball player JoJo Tann.  That led me to the following link which had a video of JoJo:

http://www.cstv.com/goingyard/2007/04/watch_out_now.html

I haven't seen JoJo for years so I click on the first video in the article without looking at the player very well, and was surprised to hear a 2007 report on Nick Crawford of Millsaps talking about his NCAA record for being hit by pitches.  It's an interesting 2 minute segment with comments by Head Coach Jim Page and now assistant coach Derrik Boland is also in there.

Where this ties in with 2009 is that Nick gave a 20-minute speech to the team this year the day before the first game.  It's a story I've told on the board before and one that I've heard Coach Page tell more than once this year.  Apparently it was the spark that united this team and helped pull them together in a way that has allowed them to get the most out of their collective talents. 

If you watch the interview, it's obvious that Nick was a guy who did what it took within the rules to win, and if he could help the team by getting hit 30 times in a season from the leadoff spot, then that's what he was willing to do.  I can't think of a better inspiration for a team to have and he certainly is part of the success shown by Millsaps this year.

[frank_ezelle]

Millsaps shortstop Billy Murphy is a great infielder.  If you want proof of that, go to the SCAC hitting stats.

That's not a typo.  Go to the hitting stats, start at the bottom, and you'll find Billy in a hurry.  That's not a knock on Billy, just a undeniable reality of this baseball season.  You have to ask yourself, just how great an infielder is this guy if he has started every game at shortstop on one of the best teams in the nation?  Yesterday he showed that he is pretty, darn good.

Not perfect since he threw away a ball late in the game that allowed a run to score, but he made a great play to rob a Wartburg batter of a 2-out single in the 9th that probably would have tied the game.  The Millsaps announcer had already called it a hit up the middle when Billy made a diving stop which would have been a great play on its own, but then he got up and threw the runner out at first.  Maybe the biggest defensive plays of the season considering the situation.

(In Billy's defense about his batting, I should point out that he is among the nation's leaders in walks, a list usually populated by sluggers and midgets.  This moves his .187 batting average up to a much more respectable .376 on base percentage.  He also is among the national leaders in sacrifice flies.)

Scheduling note:  With rain in the forecast, the games in Moline have been moved up.  Millsaps is now scheduled to play at 4 this afternoon, but with the first games scheduled for 10 and 1, it's unlikely that they'll start at 4 even if the rains stay away.

[BigPoppa]

Frank- great assessment!  I always point out that it takes a great pitcher to lose 20 games in the big leagues. They obviously see something in a pitcher if they keep sending him out there... the same goes for shortstops.

[svbbcoach]

I had read about how the layoff between the SCAC Tournament and the Regionals is an advantage/disadvantage. Well the rust factor was a large factor in Hendrix 8-3 loss yesterday to Pomona Pitzer. Freshman Ted Smoyer showed apparent jitters by hitting 4 batters in the first 5 innings before sttleing down to complete the game allowing only 8 hits to the #1 team in the country. Hendrix out hit Pomona but the HBP and 3 errors (5 unearned runs 4th) were too much to overcome.
Question: Has anyone in the past noticed a pronounced effort for the umpires at the higher levels to make their presence known? The strike zone (consistent for both sides after the first batter) was unbelievably high. There was no low zone. Makes it dangerous for pitchers. Evident by Pomona"s ace striking out only 3, the first batter was victim of the umpire establishing this zone. Another call on a routine ground out, delayed call of 1B leaving the bag early. No excuses or blame on the umpires, lack of field time appeared to be the biggest factor.
Today, Hendrix faces UT-Tyler who was hammered by Chapman yesterday. Hendrix is 0-4 vs. Tyler the past 2 years but each game gets closer. Noon PST today. It is amazing that a large majority of games across the country are video cast yet very few of the Regionals have video. I can't see the gate being effected as $10 entry is hardly worth watching the video rather than live! JMO. Go Warriors!

Congrats to Millsaps on the first round victory. Looks like weather will play a large part the rest of that regional.