BB: UMAC: Upper Midwest Athletic Conference

[biggio34]

Great tourny this year.  Congrats to the saints, hopefully they make a run in the NCAA to give the UMAC some street cred. 
Baseball fan...You see it at all levels where pitchers will throw the following day to try get a championship.  I think that it is in poor taste to say that a coach would sacrifice the safety of his players to win a game, especially Coach Kragh.  Coach Kragh has coached Babe Ruth, Legion, DII and DIII, as well as pitched professionally.  I think that if he felt like he was even remotely putting kids arms in jeopardy he wouldnt have risked it.  As far as Hallahan goes, didnt have the speed? One of their players said he was in the 90's on the gun.  As far as the off speed issue, Hallahan cut the palm of his hand on Monday, and he wasnt able to grip the change up without splitting the cut open.  Not making excuse and not saying it would have changed the outcome, just wanted to shed light on why the majority of fastballs.
Ralph and Pat, or anyone else for that matter.  Any shot BLC backdoors into the tourny?

So Paul, you don't think that 2 kids who threw complete 9 inning games and then came back to pitch 40+ each on zero days rest is in any way putting their arms in jeopardy?  I don't care where he has pitched or where he has coached, to say Kragh cared more about his kids than winning those games is quite a naive statement.  All he wanted to do is win and he was willing to do whatever it took to get it done.

[BigPoppa]

Every pitch you throw puts you in jeopardy.

[paulisdeadman]

Biggio...so if according to you we wouldnt have had to of the greatest moments in sports history.  Kirk Gibson shouldnt have played but did and hit a HR, Schilling shouldnt have played but gave us the infamous bloody sock.  The fact of the matter is athletics is riddled with situations were the athlete shouldnt play but does, not because the coach makes them, as you implied, but because they do it for the other 20 guys on their team.  I am quite surprised with your post, having read your posts all year, i assumed you knew about sports and what it takes to be an athlete.  Coach Kragh told both kids they couldnt throw, they insisted that they wanted the ball.  It was only after multiple innings of them complaining that he told them to warm up and if they felt ANY soreness, fatigue, etc...they were not going in.  If Coach Kragh was so worried about winning and not his team, why didnt he throw Hallahan/Dorris on 3 days rest all year.  A 1 time back to back outing is not going to destroy a kids arm, esp a kid who is a Senior and has 70 yrs to rest his arm.

[BaseballFan]

Biggio...so if according to you we wouldnt have had to of the greatest moments in sports history.  Kirk Gibson shouldnt have played but did and hit a HR, Schilling shouldnt have played but gave us the infamous bloody sock.  The fact of the matter is athletics is riddled with situations were the athlete shouldnt play but does, not because the coach makes them, as you implied, but because they do it for the other 20 guys on their team.  I am quite surprised with your post, having read your posts all year, i assumed you knew about sports and what it takes to be an athlete.  Coach Kragh told both kids they couldnt throw, they insisted that they wanted the ball.  It was only after multiple innings of them complaining that he told them to warm up and if they felt ANY soreness, fatigue, etc...they were not going in.  If Coach Kragh was so worried about winning and not his team, why didnt he throw Hallahan/Dorris on 3 days rest all year.  A 1 time back to back outing is not going to destroy a kids arm, esp a kid who is a Senior and has 70 yrs to rest his arm.

FYI those guys were already hurt, they couldnt get hurt worse. These guys were not hurt, but could get hurt. And they are not going to tell the coach if they have any soreness. The last time I read Kragh was the coach and not Dorris or Hallahan. And if that kid does get hurt on that last outing, it is justified because he can heal with years of rest? wow!

Yes Bigpoppa every throw puts you in jeopardy, but your risk at pitch 150 puts you at more risk than pitch 1....Maybe 95% of the time, maybe 99% of the time that kid doesnt get hurt, but would it be worth it for that one time a guy gets seriously hurt.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, just in my opinion as a former coach I thought it was ridiculous to throw both of those guys again.

[wsrings]

Lots of great arguments on the books.  I have several opinions and most of them reside with the kids.  Yes, a competitive kid is going to want the ball, that obvious, it is up the coach in that situation to know what is best for the kid. 

Anybody who tries to fool themselves into thinking that just because a kid says they are "good to go" that they are truely good to go is flat out stupid.  There are no rules against the number of pitches you can throw for a reason, and the is because the coaches should be taking care of the student/athletes, not so you can ruin a student/athletes life in order to get a win, that is just stupid.  The student/athlete should be the number one priority for a program and that is why CSS has won my support over the years.

As far as the games, it sounds like the tourney was fantastic... and I wish i could have been there to witness.  I would like to congratulate the boys from up north as they once again showed a ballsy performance to win the UMAC.  I would also like to say "good work" to presentation and bethany as the better these guys get, the better it makes the UMAC and gives css some work within the conference, something that has been lacking for years!!   

[biggio34]

Biggio...so if according to you we wouldnt have had to of the greatest moments in sports history.  Kirk Gibson shouldnt have played but did and hit a HR, Schilling shouldnt have played but gave us the infamous bloody sock.  The fact of the matter is athletics is riddled with situations were the athlete shouldnt play but does, not because the coach makes them, as you implied, but because they do it for the other 20 guys on their team.  I am quite surprised with your post, having read your posts all year, i assumed you knew about sports and what it takes to be an athlete.  Coach Kragh told both kids they couldnt throw, they insisted that they wanted the ball.  It was only after multiple innings of them complaining that he told them to warm up and if they felt ANY soreness, fatigue, etc...they were not going in.  If Coach Kragh was so worried about winning and not his team, why didnt he throw Hallahan/Dorris on 3 days rest all year.  A 1 time back to back outing is not going to destroy a kids arm, esp a kid who is a Senior and has 70 yrs to rest his arm.

The Gibson gimpy homerun, the Schilling bloody sock, the 2010 UMAC tournament, all great moments in sports history indeed.  The parallels are seemingly endless.

I'm not really saying what Kragh did was wrong, he is the coach of the team and he can do what he wants with his players.  He knows his players and what they can and can't do.  He certainly isn't the only coach to bring back a pitcher on short rest [see Schuld 2009].  All I am saying is that winning was the most important thing to him yesterday.  And that is fine, he has 2 horses and they are both great pitchers.  I can totally understand wanting to shut the door with them.  Of course both kids want the ball, every pitcher in the world wants the ball in a situation like that, regardless of how they feel.   But you must admit that throwing a kid out there after the outings they had the day before certainly is not a decision that has the well being of the player in mind.

Question... how long would Hallahan have stayed in the game had it gone into more extra innings?

[15baseball15]

Letting a pitcher throw 150 pitches is putting him in jeopardy. Doing it multiple times per year is reckless (both games against CSS once in regular season). Letting him then throw the next day is absolute insanity.

This kid has the stuff to play somewhere at the next level, whether affiliated ball or independant. I don't care if the coach is the nicest guy in the world, his decision was short sighted and reckless.

[BASEBALLLOVER18]

I understand where it may seem reckless to a lot of part-time bethany/UMAC observers, to throw Hallahan on zero days rest.  I just think you need to know the amount of throwing he does day in and day out and his conditioning is unreal.  in the metrodome, the umpire literally called the last out and he headed for a run.  If anyones arms can take the shock zero days rest, it is Hallahan

[OshDude]

BLC was No. 6 in the Midwest – behind CUC – when the national committee made selections.

[biggio34]

How will they finish i 2011?  My guess...

1. CSS - Still need to be proven otherwise not to pick them.  Their lineup is a bit inexperienced and they lost 2 of their better pitchers. 

2.  Bethany Lutheran - They lost some key offensive players but probably have the conferences strongest pitching.  They have an improved schedule outside of the UMAC this year which will make them better in the long run.

3.  Presentation - They competed last year and have their core players back.  They also added a catcher who is probably the favorite to be conference player of the year.

4.  Northwestern - The pitching staff is young but gained experience last year and will be this team's strength.

After the top 4 its a crap shoot, literally.

Morris is an unknown to me.
 
Northland has a new coach (former Whitewater  assistant) but lost its three best offensive players.

Martin Luther could be improved depending on the recruiting class brought in by its second year coach.  They could potentially compete for a spot in the top 4, but I think they may still be a year out.

Crown.

Those are my guesses.  Anyone else? 

[MIACLUV]

The Midwest Region Boards are a ghost town, so I actually looked up some UMAC pages to get a feel for the 2011 season. First I'd like to have the conferences name changed to UMSSC (Upper Midwest St. Scholastica Conference) because it has been owned by that squad since 1997 (it's first year in the confence). That's 13 years, 13 Conference Championships, 12 Conference Tournament titles (1997 there was not a conference tournament). Granted the level of competition is shaky at best. CSS is the only school over that period of time that I think could have played in the MIAC with any success at all, be it finishing behind the Tommies of course  . But it seems to be improving with Bethany in the last few years and some others actually sneaking some wins over CSS. I'll admit it, I thought Bethany would overcome the kings last year, and like the rest of the UMAC coaches that picked them to win in the pre-season poll, I was wrong. Will not make that dumb mistake again.  So here it goes:

1) St. Scholastica - Shocking right, but until someone knocks them off they are king of the hill, but the gap is getting tighter. Lost there 2 biggest bats, but the rest of the offense stays intact. Losing an All-American on the mound will be a tall task for any team, but again I CAN'T not pick them to win it again.

2) Bethany Lutheran - The pitching is the key that keeps them close to CSS, Hallahan and transfer Aaron Siefken give them a 1-2 unmatched in the coference. There offence is a question mark though. Losing a ton of production out of Schwecke, Jorges & Smith (formerly of Hamline ) will mean the offense will have to prove they can score runs.

3) Presentation College - They get the nod here because of the returners and the fact that they actually beat CSS once last season. The kid coming in from North Dakota State will definitly have an impact on the offensive side, but I'm willing to bet that CSS & Bethany will work around him so it will fall in the laps of the rest of the offense. Pitching is average so they better score runs.

4) Northwestern - They always seem to make they're way into the conference tournament and I don't see a better option here. The website doesnt even have a current roster so its tough to get a read on this squad, but it does look like they have a lot back so I give them the benefit of the doubt here.

5) Martin Luther - At least their site is up to date here. The 2nd year coach made some good progress last year and with New Ulm's baseball tradition look for this team to be in a battle for Northwestern for that 4th spot. I really know nothing else more about this squad.

6) Northland College - They lost their entire offense from last season with the graduation of 3 players, but who knows about the incomers, perhaps Coach Vodelich at Whitewater through his former asst. a few bones.

7) MN-Morris - Lost only 4 seniors on a team that that doesn't pitch it, swing it, or field it well. Not a good combo for success.

8) Crown - I actually remember someone on the Midwest boards saying that they have not updated a roster since 2008. I actually thought that was a joke until last night. WOW. Do they even have a team?

At the start of this process I was excited to do this prediction, but after Presentation it all came to griding hault! This is a 2 team conference, 3 at best. In my own little world I'd like to steal Bethany and CSS, join them to the MIAC and slot CSS in at the #2 slot and Bethany at the #4. Now that would be a nice MIAC conference tournament!

[BigPoppa]

The Midwest Region Boards are a ghost town, so I actually looked up some UMAC pages to get a feel for the 2011 season. First I'd like to have the conferences name changed to UMSSC (Upper Midwest St. Scholastica Conference) because it has been owned by that squad since 1997 (it's first year in the confence). That's 13 years, 13 Conference Championships, 12 Conference Tournament titles (1997 there was not a conference tournament). Granted the level of competition is shaky at best. CSS is the only school over that period of time that I think could have played in the MIAC with any success at all, be it finishing behind the Tommies of course  . But it seems to be improving with Bethany in the last few years and some others actually sneaking some wins over CSS. I'll admit it, I thought Bethany would overcome the kings last year, and like the rest of the UMAC coaches that picked them to win in the pre-season poll, I was wrong. Will not make that dumb mistake again.  So here it goes:

1) St. Scholastica - Shocking right, but until someone knocks them off they are king of the hill, but the gap is getting tighter. Lost there 2 biggest bats, but the rest of the offense stays intact. Losing an All-American on the mound will be a tall task for any team, but again I CAN'T not pick them to win it again.

2) Bethany Lutheran - The pitching is the key that keeps them close to CSS, Hallahan and transfer Aaron Siefken give them a 1-2 unmatched in the coference. There offence is a question mark though. Losing a ton of production out of Schwecke, Jorges & Smith (formerly of Hamline ) will mean the offense will have to prove they can score runs.

3) Presentation College - They get the nod here because of the returners and the fact that they actually beat CSS once last season. The kid coming in from North Dakota State will definitly have an impact on the offensive side, but I'm willing to bet that CSS & Bethany will work around him so it will fall in the laps of the rest of the offense. Pitching is average so they better score runs.

4) Northwestern - They always seem to make they're way into the conference tournament and I don't see a better option here. The website doesnt even have a current roster so its tough to get a read on this squad, but it does look like they have a lot back so I give them the benefit of the doubt here.

5) Martin Luther - At least their site is up to date here. The 2nd year coach made some good progress last year and with New Ulm's baseball tradition look for this team to be in a battle for Northwestern for that 4th spot. I really know nothing else more about this squad.

6) Northland College - They lost their entire offense from last season with the graduation of 3 players, but who knows about the incomers, perhaps Coach Vodelich at Whitewater through his former asst. a few bones.

7) MN-Morris - Lost only 4 seniors on a team that that doesn't pitch it, swing it, or field it well. Not a good combo for success.

8) Crown - I actually remember someone on the Midwest boards saying that they have not updated a roster since 2008. I actually thought that was a joke until last night. WOW. Do they even have a team?

At the start of this process I was excited to do this prediction, but after Presentation it all came to griding hault! This is a 2 team conference, 3 at best. In my own little world I'd like to steal Bethany and CSS, join them to the MIAC and slot CSS in at the #2 slot and Bethany at the #4. Now that would be a nice MIAC conference tournament!

I am not sure any educated fan would disagree with your assessment of the UMAC. The UMAC deperately needs Presentation to step up and be a legit third team to give the conference some credibility.

[biggio34]

The Midwest Region Boards are a ghost town, so I actually looked up some UMAC pages to get a feel for the 2011 season. First I'd like to have the conferences name changed to UMSSC (Upper Midwest St. Scholastica Conference) because it has been owned by that squad since 1997 (it's first year in the confence). That's 13 years, 13 Conference Championships, 12 Conference Tournament titles (1997 there was not a conference tournament). Granted the level of competition is shaky at best. CSS is the only school over that period of time that I think could have played in the MIAC with any success at all, be it finishing behind the Tommies of course  . But it seems to be improving with Bethany in the last few years and some others actually sneaking some wins over CSS. I'll admit it, I thought Bethany would overcome the kings last year, and like the rest of the UMAC coaches that picked them to win in the pre-season poll, I was wrong. Will not make that dumb mistake again.  So here it goes:

1) St. Scholastica - Shocking right, but until someone knocks them off they are king of the hill, but the gap is getting tighter. Lost there 2 biggest bats, but the rest of the offense stays intact. Losing an All-American on the mound will be a tall task for any team, but again I CAN'T not pick them to win it again.

2) Bethany Lutheran - The pitching is the key that keeps them close to CSS, Hallahan and transfer Aaron Siefken give them a 1-2 unmatched in the coference. There offence is a question mark though. Losing a ton of production out of Schwecke, Jorges & Smith (formerly of Hamline ) will mean the offense will have to prove they can score runs.

3) Presentation College - They get the nod here because of the returners and the fact that they actually beat CSS once last season. The kid coming in from North Dakota State will definitly have an impact on the offensive side, but I'm willing to bet that CSS & Bethany will work around him so it will fall in the laps of the rest of the offense. Pitching is average so they better score runs.

4) Northwestern - They always seem to make they're way into the conference tournament and I don't see a better option here. The website doesnt even have a current roster so its tough to get a read on this squad, but it does look like they have a lot back so I give them the benefit of the doubt here.

5) Martin Luther - At least their site is up to date here. The 2nd year coach made some good progress last year and with New Ulm's baseball tradition look for this team to be in a battle for Northwestern for that 4th spot. I really know nothing else more about this squad.

6) Northland College - They lost their entire offense from last season with the graduation of 3 players, but who knows about the incomers, perhaps Coach Vodelich at Whitewater through his former asst. a few bones.

7) MN-Morris - Lost only 4 seniors on a team that that doesn't pitch it, swing it, or field it well. Not a good combo for success.

8) Crown - I actually remember someone on the Midwest boards saying that they have not updated a roster since 2008. I actually thought that was a joke until last night. WOW. Do they even have a team?

At the start of this process I was excited to do this prediction, but after Presentation it all came to griding hault! This is a 2 team conference, 3 at best. In my own little world I'd like to steal Bethany and CSS, join them to the MIAC and slot CSS in at the #2 slot and Bethany at the #4. Now that would be a nice MIAC conference tournament!

Pretty spot on... I think you could pretty much just copy and paste this analysis every year.  I think both CSS and Bethany are happy to not be in the MIAC now that the UMAC finally got their AQ this year.  The last two years the conference tournament has been pretty exciting and it should get even better this year with a auto bid on the line.  Can't wait!

[schmolph]

Who does CSS have back..proposed lineup as well as BLC?

[biggio34]

Who does CSS have back..proposed lineup as well as BLC?

CSS has 3 guys that had regular time on their infield last year back.  They lost their All American caliber 1st baseman, Claugherty, which I dont think will hurt them in the field but will be a big loss offensively.  They lost their starting 3B and a big contributor on the mound in Gerten.  And they lost their starting catcher who also hit in the middle of the order and was strong defensively.  Their outfield will be the same as last year.  On the mound they lost Gerten and Adams, from a staff that didn't really have a true #1, but both of those guys could be depended on for strong outings most times they took the ball.  I'd look for them to have good speed, strong fielding, and less power in their lineup this year than last.  Still should be a very productive group 1-9 though.  It will be interesting to see how they develop on the mound.

Bethany was a well balanced team last year with a nice lineup and a very good 1-2 combo at the front of their rotation.  A weaker backend of the rotation and lack of bullpen strength is what cost them in my opinion.  Their offense, like CSS, lost some very important guys in the middle, in Smith, Schweke, and Jorges.  Jorges was also a big asset behind the plate for BLC last year starting 39 games and did an out of this world job of controlling the running game.  I looked it up and the vikings only gave up 12 stolen bases on the year... that might be some sort of record.  We'll see how they can replace that.  On the mound they replaced their #2 Dorris with a jr. transfer who I believe is another lefty.  Hallahan is an elite D3 pitcher so if their new #2 is near that level they will win plenty of games, even if they have big shoes to fill offensively.

All in all I think it should be the second straight competitive race for the UMAC title and I look forward to another exciting conference tournament.  Don't sleep on Presentation College either, I would not be shocked if they had a big year.