BB: SCIAC: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Jack Parkman]

2 ejections and minor bench clearing event in the nightcap at Redlands...

Interesting....any details or was it just people getting a little heated in a close game?

[Purple Heys]

2 ejections and minor bench clearing event in the nightcap at Redlands...

Interesting....any details or was it just people getting a little heated in a close game?

It really starts with a grumpy ump with a hair trigger temper.

Both teams played hard and things weren't chippy between the two teams.  However, between each team and the particular ump, each had a run-in during the early game in which he worked the plate.

In the top of the second, runners on 2nd and 3rd, Whittier batter hits a long single to right center, Redlands 2nd baseman apparently got entangled with the grumpy ump (now working the bases).  That part I did not see and I'm not sure how that happens since the 1st baseman is the cutoff...the account I heard was the UR kid told the ump (in choice language) to get out if his way and then grumpy ejected him.

Later in the same at bat for Whittier, batter hits one deep over the centerfielder's head...tries to stretch it into an inside the park and while the ball beats him, the throw is about 5 or 6 feet up the line and with the catcher in possession of the ball the batter runner makes contact with the catcher's extended arms and knocks the ball out...the batter runner was sort of on his way to a head first slide and sorta trying to avoid contact, and then again sorta not.  It was not a bury the shoulder cross body block collision, but there was definitely contact with the catcher while in possession of the ball. Anyway, the home plate ump (not grumpy) rules the runner safe, while at the same time the Redlands pitcher backing up the throw to the plate, rushes the Whittier batter runner and grabs him in anger, the Whittier on deck hitter rushes to his teammate's aid, and both benches empty.

Both coaches are yelling at their own players to keep it from escalating, there are some heated words exchanged, but things settled quickly.

At that point Grumpy felt the need to assert himself and push his partner to rule the batter runner out AND have him ejected for dangerous play - failure to slide or avoid as per rule.

Not sure I agree with the ruling, but I would have bought into it had the home plate ump made that the original call.  The field ump at that point overstepped what is an easy judgement call one way or the other for the plate ump...given that Grumpy blew several calls in game one and would not seek help, he had no business asserting himself on his partner in this case.

As it was though, it may have been his best call of the day.  It mollified the Redlands bench and crowd, but it also seemed to light Whittier's fire.

(Full disclosure, I am a Whittier fan, my youngest, known to my IIAC friends as Rev. 3, is a freshman)

[Jack Parkman]

2 ejections and minor bench clearing event in the nightcap at Redlands...

Interesting....any details or was it just people getting a little heated in a close game?

It really starts with a grumpy ump with a hair trigger temper.

Both teams played hard and things weren't chippy between the two teams.  However, between each team and the particular ump, each had a run-in during the early game in which he worked the plate.

In the top of the second, runners on 2nd and 3rd, Whittier batter hits a long single to right center, Redlands 2nd baseman apparently got entangled with the grumpy ump (now working the bases).  That part I did not see and I'm not sure how that happens since the 1st baseman is the cutoff...the account I heard was the UR kid told the ump (in choice language) to get out if his way and then grumpy ejected him.

Later in the same at bat for Whittier, batter hits one deep over the centerfielder's head...tries to stretch it into an inside the park and while the ball beats him, the throw is about 5 or 6 feet up the line and with the catcher in possession of the ball the batter runner makes contact with the catcher's extended arms and knocks the ball out...the batter runner was sort of on his way to a head first slide and sorta trying to avoid contact, and then again sorta not.  It was not a bury the shoulder cross body block collision, but there was definitely contact with the catcher while in possession of the ball. Anyway, the home plate ump (not grumpy) rules the runner safe, while at the same time the Redlands pitcher backing up the throw to the plate, rushes the Whittier batter runner and grabs him in anger, the Whittier on deck hitter rushes to his teammate's aid, and both benches empty.

Both coaches are yelling at their own players to keep it from escalating, there are some heated words exchanged, but things settled quickly.

At that point Grumpy felt the need to assert himself and push his partner to rule the batter runner out AND have him ejected for dangerous play - failure to slide or avoid as per rule.

Not sure I agree with the ruling, but I would have bought into it had the home plate ump made that the original call.  The field ump at that point overstepped what is an easy judgement call one way or the other for the plate ump...given that Grumpy blew several calls in game one and would not seek help, he had no business asserting himself on his partner in this case.

As it was though, it may have been his best call of the day.  It mollified the Redlands bench and crowd, but it also seemed to light Whittier's fire.

(Full disclosure, I am a Whittier fan, my youngest, known to my IIAC friends as Rev. 3, is a freshman)

Sounds like a great series with both teams going hard.  Too bad the umps have to get a little crazy and start tossing guys (unless it was 100% necessary.)  Anyone know if the guys that were ejected have to sit out the next game?

[Lets Play Two]

The U of R website has the video of the Game 2 incident under their On Demand icon.  The play takes place at approximately the 1:00 mark.  It was deemed "malicious contact"!  I think the two-handed shove by the catcher was more malicious.  Not sure where the runner was supposed to go since the catcher was 6-8 feet up the line.  Apparently, any ejection now carries a 1-game suspension, so Lamar and Scalisi would have to sit out their next regularly scheduled game.  Here's the link to the site:

http://portal.stretchinternet.com/redlands/portal.htm?eventId=197865&streamType=video

[Purple Heys]

The U of R website has the video of the Game 2 incident under their On Demand icon.  The play takes place at approximately the 1:00 mark.  It was deemed "malicious contact"!  I think the two-handed shove by the catcher was more malicious.  Not sure where the runner was supposed to go since the catcher was 6-8 feet up the line.  Apparently, any ejection now carries a 1-game suspension, so Lamar and Scalisi would have to sit out their next regularly scheduled game.  Here's the link to the site:

http://portal.stretchinternet.com/redlands/portal.htm?eventId=197865&streamType=video

I'd say my account of the "incident" was pretty close to the mark.  And if anything, Lamar made more of an attempt to avoid than I could see from the angle I saw it.  Too bad he has to sit out.  Would that suspension be the next SCIAC game or the next official game?  Scalisi played in the BC game yesterday but that was an exhibition contest.

[CrashDavisD3]

When in doubt avoid contact with the catcher. Either slide or run around him. Or be subject to the judgment of an umpire.

[Teddy_Ballgame]

PP beats Bates 9-6 yesterday in some midweek action. Don't know much about Bates except they are a NESCAC school and handled CMS and CIT the way one would expect (15-4 and 9-1 respectively). PP went with the pitcher by committee (8 pitchers over 9 innings), and one of the only rough spots was Tall Guy Rosenbaum. He seems to still be shaking off the rust on the mound after that TJ surgery. Best to get that out of the way now though, and he did add a HR in the game (that's 3 on the year).

PP is scoring over 10 runs a game (albeit against a pretty soft schedule so far), but giving up 9 runs a game. I'm not sure whether I should take it as a good or bad sign that they are walking fewer guys this year and playing better defense, and still giving up a ton of runs. Obviously you want good D and strikes, but does that mean our pitchers are just plain ineffective? I have watched and have high opinions of a lot of the older guys who are struggling, so I guess there's still a lot of room for optimism. But still worrisome given the level of competition they've faced so far- opponents have a .354/.418/.518 slash line. 

SCIAC matchups this weekend (prediction)
ULV v. CMS (ULV 3-0) CMS has a lone bright spot in FR Trey Smith who was on the D3baseball.com Team of the week, but that's about it
PP v. UR (PP 2-1) Expecting more consistency from PP arms this weekend, but should still be a lot of high-scoring games. Important series for both teams.
CU v. CLU (CLU 2-1) I think Matt Smith manages to steal one from the Kingsmen, but could easily be a CLU sweep.
Oxy v. CIT (Oxy 3-0) At least one game, maybe two go the full nine innings
WC v. Bates (Bates 2-1) Bates showed they can beat the bottom of the SCIAC and gave PP a fight, Whittier's had a tough start.

Shout outs to Jake Bruml (PP- DH), Kyle Sanchez (CLU- 1B), and Matt Smith (CU- SP) for joining Trey Smith (CMS- OF) on the D3baseball.com Team of the week as well.

[SoCalSoxFan]

SCIAC matchups this weekend (prediction)
ULV v. CMS (ULV 3-0) CMS has a lone bright spot in FR Seth Smith who was on the D3baseball.com Team of the week, but that's about it
PP v. UR (PP 2-1) Expecting more consistency from PP arms this weekend, but should still be a lot of high-scoring games. Important series for both teams.
CU v. CLU (CLU 2-1) I think Matt Smith manages to steal one from the Kingsmen, but could easily be a CLU sweep.
Oxy v. CIT (Oxy 3-0) At least one game, maybe two go the full nine innings
WC v. Bates (Bates 2-1) Bates showed they can beat the bottom of the SCIAC and gave PP a fight, Whittier's had a tough start.

Shout outs to Jake Bruml (PP- DH), Kyle Sanchez (CLU- 1B), and Matt Smith (CU- SP) for joining Seth Smith (CMS- OF) on the D3baseball.com Team of the week as well.

Teddy:   Agreed on the shout outs for TOW recipients.

My picks:
- ULV to sweep CMS
- PP 2-1 over Redlands.  I'm expecting each to reach double digit runs at least 2x this weekend.
- CLU 2-1 over CU.  I agree that CU's best chance is Smith.  CLU scored 32 in 3 games against their Washington opponents.  I don't think they'll average double digits against CU, but will still win 2 or 3.
- Occi 3-0 over Caltech.  Occi will start year 5-1 in SCIAC, with CMS next weekend

I'll certainly enjoy watching baseball this weekend, especially after watching the weather map over the Midwest!

[CrashDavisD3]

SCIAC matchups this weekend (prediction)
ULV v. CMS (ULV 3-0) CMS has a lone bright spot in FR Seth Smith who was on the D3baseball.com Team of the week, but that's about it
PP v. UR (PP 2-1) Expecting more consistency from PP arms this weekend, but should still be a lot of high-scoring games. Important series for both teams.
CU v. CLU (CLU 2-1) I think Matt Smith manages to steal one from the Kingsmen, but could easily be a CLU sweep.
Oxy v. CIT (Oxy 3-0) At least one game, maybe two go the full nine innings
WC v. Bates (Bates 2-1) Bates showed they can beat the bottom of the SCIAC and gave PP a fight, Whittier's had a tough start.

Shout outs to Jake Bruml (PP- DH), Kyle Sanchez (CLU- 1B), and Matt Smith (CU- SP) for joining Seth Smith (CMS- OF) on the D3baseball.com Team of the week as well.

Teddy:   Agreed on the shout outs for TOW recipients.

My picks:
- ULV to sweep CMS
- PP 2-1 over Redlands.  I'm expecting each to reach double digit runs at least 2x this weekend.
- CLU 2-1 over CU.  I agree that CU's best chance is Smith.  CLU scored 32 in 3 games against their Washington opponents.  I don't think they'll average double digits against CU, but will still win 2 or 3.
- Occi 3-0 over Caltech.  Occi will start year 5-1 in SCIAC, with CMS next weekend

I'll certainly enjoy watching baseball this weekend, especially after watching the weather map over the Midwest!

Oxy 3-0 over Caltech
Cal Lu 2-1 over Chapman(CLU could go 3-0 if Chapman pitching or defense implodes) Chapman could be the Lakers of SCIAC
Pomona 2-1 over Redlands
La Verne 3-0 over CMS

[Jack Parkman]

SCIAC matchups this weekend (prediction)
ULV v. CMS (ULV 3-0) CMS has a lone bright spot in FR Seth Smith who was on the D3baseball.com Team of the week, but that's about it
PP v. UR (PP 2-1) Expecting more consistency from PP arms this weekend, but should still be a lot of high-scoring games. Important series for both teams.
CU v. CLU (CLU 2-1) I think Matt Smith manages to steal one from the Kingsmen, but could easily be a CLU sweep.
Oxy v. CIT (Oxy 3-0) At least one game, maybe two go the full nine innings
WC v. Bates (Bates 2-1) Bates showed they can beat the bottom of the SCIAC and gave PP a fight, Whittier's had a tough start.

ULV takes 3 against CMS but 1 of the games is close.  I don't think hitting is the problem at CMS, it's the pitching by far.  Rough year ahead for CMS.

The PP/UR series could go either way but I think PP's bats are going to be too much and this is going to be a very high scoring weekend series.  Seeing the numbers Teddy posted I just don't know how long PP can keep up with this style of play. PP takes 2 of 3.

CU/CLU could be a good series but the biggest issue is Chapman's bullpen.  If CLU can get into the bullpen I would expect a sweep.  If Chapman's starters go long enough, I expect a 2-1 CLU series win.  Chapman lost 2/3 to Oxy last week and CLU is a much better hitting team than OXY.

OXY/CIT will be another OXY sweep to put them at 5-1.  After they take 3 against CMS next week (I think) they will have put themselves in pretty good position and a little pressure on the others not to slip up and drop games they shouldn't.  I agree that these games will not be blowouts, OXY just doesn't have the hitting but their pitching has been pretty solid.  DeRaad is having a monster start to the year too.  Looking forward to seeing what he can do against good pitching.

WC/Bates really means nothing to me but I will take the Poet's 2-1 simply because they are a SCIAC team.  Never even heard of Bates until this week so theres that.  Maybe WC can use this to work some things out and become competitive in the SCIAC.  If not, the SCIAC will be a 5 team race.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Well I can tell you Bates should be enjoying the weather. I don't think their Apline ski team will have to worry about traveling to find snow.

http://athletics.bates.edu/sports/alpineski/index

[Purple Heys]

Whittier takes Game 1, 4-3 over Bates.  Winning margin courtesy of a 2 out steal of home in the bottom of the 8th! 

[Purple Heys]

Well I can tell you Bates should be enjoying the weather. I don't think their Apline ski team will have to worry about traveling to find snow.

http://athletics.bates.edu/sports/alpineski/index

If I were Bates' coach I would have my team staying in Big Bear so they feel at home.  I wouldn't want my boys melting in the sun.   

[Teddy_Ballgame]

Friday results:
UR over PP 5-2
Oxy over CIT 11-1 (8 innings)
ULV over CMS 20-4 (7 innings)
CLU over CU 5-0

Pretty much as expected. Of note:
-Low scoring Redlands- PP game, though this was the first in the series. Deeper into the rotations likely means more runs in Claremont tomorrow, but Minjarez threw a quality game for the Bulldogs.
-CIT was able to keep it at 3-1 until the seventh inning against Oxy. Looking forward to them against CMS at the end of March.
-ULV just went off on CMS. I think Jack was right about the Stags. Hitting will be adequate, pitching is a huge issue. ULV scores 20 on only four extra base hits. Caselli 4 for 5, now hitting .515 through 8 games.
-Scott Peters shut down the Chapman offense. 2 hits, 2 walks in a complete game shutout. Looks like Klaes was very effective after a shaky first three innings for Chapman though.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Well I can tell you Bates should be enjoying the weather. I don't think their Apline ski team will have to worry about traveling to find snow.

http://athletics.bates.edu/sports/alpineski/index

If I were Bates' coach I would have my team staying in Big Bear so they feel at home.  I wouldn't want my boys melting in the sun.   

Since I have a family cabin only ten miles from Bates' campus, I tend to follow their weather.  They have been warmer than Ypsi (SE Michigan) much of this winter!  But, yeah, much more snow.