BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

FYI the Mideast preview is on the front page of d3baseball.com now.  Check it out.  As someone who has written previews I can tell you that it's a lot of work to look at every single team and write about them. 

[Dr. Acula]

Schools that have complete rosters up including freshmen:

BW
Cap
Berg
JCU
Etta
Musky
ONU
Ott
Wilm

9 of the 10 schools.  All but mine.  Such is life. 

[motorman]

Schools that have complete rosters up including freshmen:

BW
Cap
Berg
JCU
Etta
Musky
ONU
Ott
Wilm

9 of the 10 schools.  All but mine.  Such is life.

Dr A,

It has been traditional the last couple of years that Mount is one of the last teams to post their roster. I think it has been just before they leave for FL that it has been on the website.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Otterbein crushes Ohio Christian 14-0 in Chillicothe today, http://www.otterbeincardinals.com/custompages/Baseball/2013_games/game01.htm. They are in the second game of the DH and otterbein is losing 4-6. Live stats, http://www.sidearmstats.com/otterbein/baseball/xlive.htm.

Edit: Otterbein loses the second half of the DH 5 - 7.

D3 baseballs blurb about the game: http://www.d3baseball.com/notables/2013/02/recap-18feb2013

[Bishopleftiesdad]

There will be an NCAC\OAC battle to start the season when Otterbein plays Wabash on 02/23 in Chillicothe. http://www.d3baseball.com/teams/Otterbein/2013/index

[Dr. Acula]

Interesting that Wes Meadows was the starting pitcher for Ott in one of those games. He started one game last year too, but it was near the end of the season. I wonder if with Reuter gone Meadows will see more innings on the hill this year?

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Interesting that Wes Meadows was the starting pitcher for Ott in one of those games. He started one game last year too, but it was near the end of the season. I wonder if with Reuter gone Meadows will see more innings on the hill this year?

I do not wish to disparage OCU, but they are not the strongest opponent. They are an independent that plays in the NCCAA div II. looking at there roster they have one young man who's school listed I am very familiar with. I can tell you he never played baseball for that school.

It may be a case that Ott wanted to get a look at these two pitchers early in the season and get them some playing time.

[EttaFan1]

Given the way at large regional bids are awarded, I question the scheduling decisions of some of these schools.  D-II (even the good ones) don't help you in the eyes of the NCAA.  Scheduling bad opponents doesn't help your team improve, either.  (If you want to schedule a solid D-2 program, call Ashland!).  This is the one area where Wooster, Marietta and 'Berg—OWU used to, don't know if they still do—have really seperated themselves from the other D-III programs in Ohio.  They put together non-conference schedules which challenge their teams a great deal, and boosts schedule strength. 

It is no secret how this is done.  Play the good in-region non-conference teams.  If you are scheduling Hiram or Wilmington as a non-conf opponent, you only marginally help your cause (in region win pct.).  They kill your strength of schedule, though.  Sometimes I wonder if any of the other schools in the OAC or NCAC other than Wooster, MC, and 'Berg are really trying to do anything other than qualify for a spot in the conference tournament.  I think these three schools approach the season every year like they are playing for a spot in Appleton and do EVERYTHING within their abilities to get there.   I would venture a guess that Deegan brings this same approach at Dennison, and perhaps Coach Mott is rekindling that at OWU.  But I'm not sure I see it in the rest of the OAC. 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Given the way at large regional bids are awarded, I question the scheduling decisions of some of these schools.  D-II (even the good ones) don't help you in the eyes of the NCAA.  Scheduling bad opponents doesn't help your team improve, either.  (If you want to schedule a solid D-2 program, call Ashland!).  This is the one area where Wooster, Marietta and 'Berg—OWU used to, don't know if they still do—have really seperated themselves from the other D-III programs in Ohio.  They put together non-conference schedules which challenge their teams a great deal, and boosts schedule strength. 

It is no secret how this is done.  Play the good in-region non-conference teams.  If you are scheduling Hiram or Wilmington as a non-conf opponent, you only marginally help your cause (in region win pct.).  They kill your strength of schedule, though.  Sometimes I wonder if any of the other schools in the OAC or NCAC other than Wooster, MC, and 'Berg are really trying to do anything other than qualify for a spot in the conference tournament.  I think these three schools approach the season every year like they are playing for a spot in Appleton and do EVERYTHING within their abilities to get there.   I would venture a guess that Deegan brings this same approach at Dennison, and perhaps Coach Mott is rekindling that at OWU.  But I'm not sure I see it in the rest of the OAC.

Nice post Etta, +1. This year OWU is scheduled to play one at Ohio Dominican, and last year they played Malone. These games are usually scheduled near the end of the season right before the conference tournament. They are DH's and give each starting pitcher the opportunity to get innings in against good competition. Mott is sure to schedule Marietta and Heidelberg every year and I would like to see more teams like that.

[motorman]

If anyone is interested, the Heidelberg preview has been posted on the Berg website. http://www.heidelberg.edu/athletics/teams/baseball/news/baseballpreview

[Spence]

Interesting that Wes Meadows was the starting pitcher for Ott in one of those games. He started one game last year too, but it was near the end of the season. I wonder if with Reuter gone Meadows will see more innings on the hill this year?

I believe I read that Otterbein does plan to use Wes Meadows on the mound more often this year. It will be interesting to see how that works because catchers throw the ball a lot too.

Freshman transfer Adam Collier I expect to be a big factor for Otterbein. He played for a high school program that won state once and lost in the semifinals the next year -- 57-4 over 2 years total. He was first team all-Columbus Metro with an undefeated record. The other first team pitcher that year went to Xavier.

[Spence]

If anyone is interested, the Heidelberg preview has been posted on the Berg website. http://www.heidelberg.edu/athletics/teams/baseball/news/baseballpreview

Interesting that they mentioned Holt but not O'Driscoll? Is he on track? Because I thought he was really a good prospect as a freshman.

Two more quality arms could make a big difference in a year that no one knows what Marietta has as far as pitching depth and you get Ott, Marietta, and Mount all at home.

[Dr. Acula]

If anyone is interested, the Heidelberg preview has been posted on the Berg website. http://www.heidelberg.edu/athletics/teams/baseball/news/baseballpreview

Interesting that they mentioned Holt but not O'Driscoll? Is he on track? Because I thought he was really a good prospect as a freshman.

Two more quality arms could make a big difference in a year that no one knows what Marietta has as far as pitching depth and you get Ott, Marietta, and Mount all at home.

To me that's the biggest question mark of the season.  Berg potentially has 4 good pitchers, but 2 have missed long stretches with arm issues.  Are Holt and O'Driscoll going to be ready?  They need Thomas and Minteer to anchor things until the other 2 get settled in.  If all four are healthy and throwing well I don't think anyone can match that depth this year.  Etta possibly, but that's asking a lot even of them in a year they graduated so much.

[Spence]

If anyone is interested, the Heidelberg preview has been posted on the Berg website. http://www.heidelberg.edu/athletics/teams/baseball/news/baseballpreview

Interesting that they mentioned Holt but not O'Driscoll? Is he on track? Because I thought he was really a good prospect as a freshman.

Two more quality arms could make a big difference in a year that no one knows what Marietta has as far as pitching depth and you get Ott, Marietta, and Mount all at home.

To me that's the biggest question mark of the season.  Berg potentially has 4 good pitchers, but 2 have missed long stretches with arm issues.  Are Holt and O'Driscoll going to be ready?  They need Thomas and Minteer to anchor things until the other 2 get settled in.  If all four are healthy and throwing well I don't think anyone can match that depth this year.  Etta possibly, but that's asking a lot even of them in a year they graduated so much.

I'm eagerly awaiting the Marietta preview story. Guessing they're a little busy with roundball right now (awaiting the tournament draw there too though!). There are a few names among the freshmen that just from some sleuthing I suspect will be called upon and have the physical tools. Hopefully the weather cooperates for the weekend in Xenia.

I think Otterbein could potentially have a good staff. Collier seems like he could be a big difference maker. John Carroll has most of their arms back and had pretty decent pitching last year.

If the Mount Union of last April shows up this year, they could be really, really good. But the Mount Union of May was nowhere near. They have a lot of arms back but didn't get a lot of cheap outs (strikeouts) last year. But one would expect them to get better.

I think those 3 plus the top two look to be ahead of the game.

[Dr. Acula]

It's really too bad that BW is out because with those 5 plus the Jackets it could have been awesome to watch just the battle to even make the OAC tourney.