BB: LEC: Little East Conference

[wordsmith]

KSCer,

Great point about the Castillo ejection. I was standing with an 'off duty umpire' who thought the game ump may have considered his actions as an intent to injure.

Controversy always accompanies KSC vs TEE.

[ecfaninri]

Morin and Esposito - one hellava pitcher's duel.  Castillo being ejected after the strikeout... after the strikeout... I don't know about that.  All through that at bat, Morin was pitching Castillo down and away  and Cipolla kept inching forward. He was up in the catcher's box and Castillo was deep in the batter's box. If anyone knows Melvin... there was clearly no intent to injure. But it is interesting that this isn't the first time he got hit by Castillo. At best, a warning could have been issued. The ejection at that point in the game kind of made the situation worse because of when it happened. I am not saying that Cipolla was "acting" but the same thing happened when both teams squared off in CT during the season. Catcher's interference could have easily have been called.... but I guess not at the swamp. 

Not it;s waiting time for EConn to see if their record, schedule is enough for an at-large berth. It would be a shame.. though I'm sure there won't be many tears outside Willimantic.

Great job by Kukucka to force the game with Keene. Thanks to the LEC and Keene for providing live feeds of the games. I'm sure many fans enjoyed watching and listening to the games.   

[EasternCtFan]

What a terrible call by the home plate umpire in ejecting Melvin. Not one warning was given to him on the previous swings in which he made contact w/ the catcher. Just an awful job of umpiring, if he knew anything about Melvin it is a part of his swing and has been doing it for two years now. Who would change their swing and risk missing the ball to purposely hit the catcher, have a clue.

Well played game, great pitchers duel in a big game. Every pitch Morin threw was down which made him so effective. No excuse though for missing 3rd base like that.

[kscer]

Morin and Esposito - one hellava pitcher's duel.  Castillo being ejected after the strikeout... after the strikeout... I don't know about that.  All through that at bat, Morin was pitching Castillo down and away  and Cipolla kept inching forward. He was up in the catcher's box and Castillo was deep in the batter's box. If anyone knows Melvin... there was clearly no intent to injure. But it is interesting that this isn't the first time he got hit by Castillo. At best, a warning could have been issued. The ejection at that point in the game kind of made the situation worse because of when it happened. I am not saying that Cipolla was "acting" but the same thing happened when both teams squared off in CT during the season. Catcher's interference could have easily have been called.... but I guess not at the swamp. 

Not it;s waiting time for EConn to see if their record, schedule is enough for an at-large berth. It would be a shame.. though I'm sure there won't be many tears outside Willimantic.

Great job by Kukucka to force the game with Keene. Thanks to the LEC and Keene for providing live feeds of the games. I'm sure many fans enjoyed watching and listening to the games.   

I think the umpire warned Castillo after the second hit. I saw him talking directly to Melvin. The the third time in the at bat he threw him out. Fourth hit of the day. I don't necessarily agree with the call, but I think maybe the umpire sensed some intent to drive Cipolla back so he couldn't block so well. I dont think it was a homer call as none of the Keene coaches said anything to the Umps. I dont think catchers interference could be called because the bat was n the backswing, not going foreward. The strikeout was the important play.

[dgilblair]

Melvin has a hugh swing and follow through.  This is not the first catcher he has made contact with and I can say for sure there is no intent on his part.  The problem is with the pitches down in the dirt.  What the Keene catcher was doing was coming forward and up to keep the ball in front of him.  Morin did a nice job and lived in the dirt all day, ECSU didn't adjust to that, not sure they could have.  Mel was not the only batter to hit the catcher either.  Not a good call by the ump as it was as much the catchers fault as Mels.  That didn't lose the game but missing third might have.

[ecfaninri]

Great call DGilblair... Eastern needed to adjust on Morin and didn't. There is no crying in baseball, but the umpire should have been warning both players to control the bat or not to lunge for the ball. Clearly a judgment call which could have gone either way. A good no call would have been better at that point of the game. The ejection clearly took away the fine pitching performances by Morin and Espo. To have anyone say that there was an intent to injure, abviously doesn't know Mel like Eastern fans know him. I'm sure he would love to have another chance to play with an at-large bid. 29 wins 12 losses and a tie... I hope the committee really looks at the rankings and see how far this team has come without Shawn throughout the season. Here's hoping the committee does the right thing and gives them a bid. It is really a dogfight in the LEC. KSC USM and EConn each deserve spots. And that's because there are some other tough teams in the conference like RIC and UMB.

[hockeyfan77]

Final...KSC 21 USM 2

[hockeyfan77]

Melvin has a hugh swing and follow through.  This is not the first catcher he has made contact with and I can say for sure there is no intent on his part.  The problem is with the pitches down in the dirt.  What the Keene catcher was doing was coming forward and up to keep the ball in front of him.  Morin did a nice job and lived in the dirt all day, ECSU didn't adjust to that, not sure they could have.  Mel was not the only batter to hit the catcher either.  Not a good call by the ump as it was as much the catchers fault as Mels.  That didn't lose the game but missing third might have.

From  a totally impartial view(I don't like either team but I saw the play)  I will say you are right, I saw 2 or 3 other players hit the catcher,  and right after the incident, the first or second  batter hit him as well...

[santeezy06]

Any talk of whose going to summer leagues yet. I know of atleast 3 kids going down to CAL Ripken this summer Ford and Jones from KSC and Cardoso from RIC.  Also Fama from RIC will see action in the NYCBL.
Just wondering like to keep up with status of LEC players over the summer.

[EasternCtFan]

Eastern Players..........

NECBL

Castillo, Wojick (Danbury) Fontaine (Newport) Kukucka (Manchester)

[ecfaninri]

Eastern CT fan...
Don't be so quick to send those four players to the NECBL... Plus Fontaine will be playing in Lowell.

[EasternCtFan]

Yes your right we still have regionals to think about, they played their hearts out and the three LEC teams are so even why not put in three this year. If you are in the top 30 shouldnt that be an automatic for an at-large berth. I meant Lowell I guess I was thinking the R.I. connection.

[hockeyfan77]

Final...KSC 14 USM 7



Congrats to Keene State: I knew this could happen to USM: that's why I was kind of rooting for Eastern Yesterday...See ya in the regional: hopefully...

[hockeyfan77]

http://www.d3cast.com/index.php


At least some good news today, it looks like the New England Regional will be on d3 cast...

[hockeyfan77]

USM drops 2 to Keene today (21-2, 14-7) to fall to 32-12...Next game Wed vs WNEC...