BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

fundamentalswin · May 12, 2009, 11:29:11 AM

All I am going to say is that I am now an alum like you and any criticism is fair game now

JK · May 12, 2009, 11:35:25 AM

Guys,

On this Hill and McFarland debate...

I surely can't speak for all coaches, but the general theory (at least in football) about HM all-OAC is that you nominate guys for that team who are underclassmen so you can have some "returning all-OAC performers." It is very rare for a Sr. to get HM, unless they were previously 1st or 2nd team, had a good year, but got passed by guys who had great years, like Knowlton.

Plus, I belive there is a rule (if not a rule, then a tradition) making sure that every team has at least one all-OAC rep. Cap and Wilma had to get one each, taking two spots from others.

Not saying other guys aren't more deserving, but that's just kind of the way it goes. Rarely do coaches nominate a Sr. for HM to say "thanks for a great career." Plus, their careers are most likely over. It's not like it helps the player anymore like an HM all-league as a Sr. in HS can help going into college.

Dr. Acula · May 12, 2009, 12:11:33 PM

JK, your logic on seniors getting HM when they were previously 1st/2nd team guys (ala Knowlton) makes sense to me. I'm fine with Knowlton, he's earned it. But there were 2 other seniors and a junior that had not previously been All-OAC. At that point I think Hill needs to be in the discussion.

I'm obviously biased on McFarland's behalf, but the bottom line is the only 3B who had better numbers than him was Cimino. I could understand if it was a trade like "I'll concede McFarland if you guys give me a spot for this underclassmen of mine." That makes sense. But MUC didn't get any borderline guys in.

Gramps · May 12, 2009, 12:44:15 PM

They started a new tradition at Heidelberg after the ceremonies at the plate celebrating the winning of the OAC Tournament.

Saturday was GRADUATION DAY at Heidelberg, but the baseball team seniors had to be at Peaceful Valley. So, Coach Matt Palm arrainged for a graduation at home plate for the five seniors who missed the official ceremonies and instead of moving the tassels on the motor board to the left, they switched the brims of their baseball caps to the left.

Congratulations and best of luck in your chosen proffesions to: B. BOYTIM, J. WENTWORTH, M. GRASSLEY, L. B. EMRHEIN, D. PADDOCK.

A very neat idea, seeing as they spent the better part of their college days at the baseball field.

JK · May 12, 2009, 01:15:19 PM

Dr. Ac,

Doesn't always hold true. Their coaches might have thought those guys deserved it and had some young guys on 1st or second team, so they already have some "returning all-OAC-ers."

Looking at the All-OAC teams:
Lassak (Ott) and Grassley (Heid) were two of the other Sr. on the HM list and they were previous all-OAC guys like Knowlton. The one Sr who wasn't a returning all-OAC was Cairo (JCU) and they had a couple of Jrs and Sophs on the Second Team. Put a Jr. on the HM list is fine...he'll return next year.

This rationale makes sense for everyone but BW, who looks like only nominated Seniors...

Dr. Acula · May 12, 2009, 02:35:56 PM

I see your point. I was only looking at pitchers I guess. As I said, there are, IMO, some suspect HM picks as far as pitchers go.

OAC baseball fan 3 · May 12, 2009, 05:28:16 PM

Quote from: JK on May 12, 2009, 11:35:25 AM
Guys,

On this Hill and McFarland debate...

I surely can't speak for all coaches, but the general theory (at least in football) about HM all-OAC is that you nominate guys for that team who are underclassmen so you can have some "returning all-OAC performers." It is very rare for a Sr. to get HM, unless they were previously 1st or 2nd team, had a good year, but got passed by guys who had great years, like Knowlton.

Plus, I belive there is a rule (if not a rule, then a tradition) making sure that every team has at least one all-OAC rep. Cap and Wilma had to get one each, taking two spots from others.

Not saying other guys aren't more deserving, but that's just kind of the way it goes. Rarely do coaches nominate a Sr. for HM to say "thanks for a great career." Plus, their careers are most likely over. It's not like it helps the player anymore like an HM all-league as a Sr. in HS can help going into college.

Jk, im not saying your wrong... BUT if you look at the pitchers on first, second and HM, Hill matches up to everyone of them. Not only did ONU have a bad offense, but the defense was pitiful also. He had many loses that shouldnt have been given to him (John Carroll 0 ER). I honestly believe that Bergman didnt put him up for it, because the second team performers matched up equally to what he did with better teams behind them.

Im not saying they did not deserve it, i am just voicing a lonely opinion.

mideastfan2 · May 12, 2009, 06:30:28 PM

Quote from: Gramps on May 12, 2009, 12:44:15 PM
They started a new tradition at Heidelberg after the ceremonies at the plate celebrating the winning of the OAC Tournament.

Saturday was GRADUATION DAY at Heidelberg, but the baseball team seniors had to be at Peaceful Valley. So, Coach Matt Palm arrainged for a graduation at home plate for the five seniors who missed the official ceremonies and instead of moving the tassels on the motor board to the left, they switched the brims of their baseball caps to the left.

Congratulations and best of luck in your chosen proffesions to: B. BOYTIM, J. WENTWORTH, M. GRASSLEY, L. B. EMRHEIN, D. PADDOCK.

A very neat idea, seeing as they spent the better part of their college days at the baseball field.

pretty neat. I remember at Marietta, we held our graduation at Pioneer Park (home plate in caps and gowns) for 2 or 3 of the years that I was there. It always coincided with graduation weekend, and with the rain, it usually coincided with the ceremony.

Gramps · May 12, 2009, 07:03:01 PM

WOW!!! Two years in a row, Heidelberg Coach MATT PALM, named OAC "COACH OF THE YEAR". And a more deserving person can't be found.

CONGRATULATIONS Coach Palm and best of luck in the regionals and hopefully in the nationals.

old scot · May 12, 2009, 10:09:03 PM

Gramps,
While I enjoy reading your posts and admire your loyalty to Heidelberg, take an objective look at coach of the year honors. In my perspective of coach of the year, honors should go to the coach who does the most with the least. I don't think Matt Palm did that. The Berg was loaded and favorites to win the OAC. I would think Marietta coach Brian Brewer would be a more deserving candidate.

In the NCAC I don't think Wooster's coach deserves that honor just because they won the conference. I would vote for Kenyon coach Matt Burdette.

Gramps · May 13, 2009, 12:25:08 AM

Quote from: old scot on May 12, 2009, 10:09:03 PM
Gramps,
While I enjoy reading your posts and admire your loyalty to Heidelberg, take an objective look at coach of the year honors. In my perspective of coach of the year, honors should go to the coach who does the most with the least. I don't think Matt Palm did that. The Berg was loaded and favorites to win the OAC. I would think Marietta coach Brian Brewer would be a more deserving candidate.

In the NCAC I don't think Wooster's coach deserves that honor just because they won the conference. I would vote for Kenyon coach Matt Burdette.

Thanks "old scot", I try to be entertaining with my posts and as far as loyaty, yours is just as much for Wooster. Go to your Posts 26,27,& 28 pertaining to Coach P., and you have every right to expound on his virtues.
Regarding OAC "Coach of the Year", that was voted for him by his Peers (Fellow Coaches). For their own personal reasons, they believed that he deserved it. If you feel that he didn't deserve it, than you have your personal reason for it, and you'r entitled to it. All I did was pass on the information that he received the award , passed on to him by his fellow coaches.

old scot · May 13, 2009, 09:47:40 AM

Touche Gramps.

old scot · May 13, 2009, 10:04:43 AM

As for the regional, I would have to say Heidelberg would be my pick as the favorite. I think they have the depth required on the mound to go deep in this type of tourney.

Don't count out Wooster. If they can get strong pitching I think they can hang in there. If the opposition gets into their bullpen they will have to out slug them.

Also, Etta could be a dark horse. They have a history of elevating their game come playoff time.

Good luck and good baseball to all. I'm looking forward to an exciting series!

Dr. Acula · May 13, 2009, 02:11:25 PM

Berg is still in a rain delay.

Looks like RHIT is starting Derek Eitel opposite Paddock. Eitel is 9-1, 4.34 ERA, 74 2/3 IP, 58 H, 75 K, .214 Opp BA. It looks like he's one of three very solid starters for RH.

On O they're led by HCAC MVP Tim Tepe. He hit an even .500 w/ 7 HR, 6 3B, 20 2B and 57 RBI.

JK · May 13, 2009, 02:30:08 PM

Hill does match up with all the pitchers on the All-OAC teams... all of them. I never said he wasn't deserving based on his performance. Just trying to offer a perspective as to why he didn't get it. If Bergman did it out of spite, then that is between them and not very professional.

And how do we know he wasn't in the discussion. He could have been nominated for 1st team, not voted in, nominated for 2nd and not gotten it, at which point Bergman said "I better nominate a couple of young guys to have some returning all-oac'ers." We'll never know.

I hope that the young man doesn't need an all-OAC HM nod to justify his career. I hope he is proud enough to have represented his University well and pitched his heart out every time he went to the hill. I know it stings now, having been such a big part of ONU for 4 years, but eventually he'll get over it and see the bigger picture. I did and I think those of you who played any sport did as well...