BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[knarocky22]

I would definitely say no to the first question.  Augie has their entire pitching staff back and only lost 2 regular position players.  I'm pretty sure IWU has their entire pitching staff back and the majority of the position players as well.  Carthage has lost a few players, but they still have a ton of talent. 

However, I don't know enough about the rest of the teams to say no to the 2nd question, although my gut says no.

[BigPoppa]

I don't think it is any surprise that virtually everyone sees it as a 3-team race.  My questions:

1.  Will any of the top three lay an egg - if so, who and why?

2.  Will any of the also-rans surprise their way into contention - if so, who and why?

1. I am certain that the top three will be the top three, though it might be tough to predict the order.

2. If any other team has a chance to make a dent this year I would give the nod to North Park.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I don't think it is any surprise that virtually everyone sees it as a 3-team race.  My questions:

1.  Will any of the top three lay an egg - if so, who and why?

2.  Will any of the also-rans surprise their way into contention - if so, who and why?

1. I am certain that the top three will be the top three, though it might be tough to predict the order.

2. If any other team has a chance to make a dent this year I would give the nod to North Park.

BP, I'm afraid I can only give you a 75% on the essay exam - you omitted the second half of question 2!

Why are you picking NPU as the possible breakthrough team - pitching? hitting? gut hunch?

[Gregory Sager]

Why are you picking NPU as the possible breakthrough team - pitching? hitting? gut hunch?

Perhaps it's because of the witty banter and boyish charms of yank52, mr. b, and yours truly.

[yank52]

I do believe that our collective knowledge of the sport, leans a rather respective slant to our boys in blue. 
Looking forward to taking a southern trip (Memphis) and maybe taking in a game or two after visitin Beale street and a Sun records tour.

[BigPoppa]

I don't think it is any surprise that virtually everyone sees it as a 3-team race.  My questions:

1.  Will any of the top three lay an egg - if so, who and why?

2.  Will any of the also-rans surprise their way into contention - if so, who and why?

1. I am certain that the top three will be the top three, though it might be tough to predict the order.

2. If any other team has a chance to make a dent this year I would give the nod to North Park.

BP, I'm afraid I can only give you a 75% on the essay exam - you omitted the second half of question 2!

Why are you picking NPU as the possible breakthrough team - pitching? hitting? gut hunch?

Sorry... I am taking NPU because I tfeel that Coach Johnson is a solid recruiter and his first classes are in their junior and senior seasons which mean they should start producing. While not yet on the level of the "Big Three" they are still going to be tough to play, unlike the years prior to Johnson's arrival and the 1-39 season.

[Gregory Sager]

I do believe that our collective knowledge of the sport, leans a rather respective slant to our boys in blue. 
Looking forward to taking a southern trip (Memphis) and maybe taking in a game or two after visitin Beale street and a Sun records tour.

Sounds like great fun. I've always wanted to see Memphis. Alas, I'm gonna have to wait under the home opener against Concordia (IL) on March 18 to see NPU in action.

[mr_b]

I've put the finishing touches on a new website for North Park Vikings baseball: http://www.cadillac76.com/baseball/home.html  I hope to keep adding historical data, including picture scans and anecdotes from former players, along with current scores, game stories, and statistics.

[mr_b]

I do believe that our collective knowledge of the sport, leans a rather respective slant to our boys in blue. 
Looking forward to taking a southern trip (Memphis) and maybe taking in a game or two after visitin Beale street and a Sun records tour.

Sounds like great fun. I've always wanted to see Memphis. Alas, I'm gonna have to wait under the home opener against Concordia (IL) on March 18 to see NPU in action.

The Memphis trip should be fun.  We open on March 1st against Rhodes College, which won 36 games last season.  Later in the day we play Franklin College at USA Stadium in Millington.  On the 2nd we play Denison University in Memphis before returning home.  It'll be a great way to kick off the 2008 campaign; let's hope Mother Nature cooperates!

[mr_b]

Why are you picking NPU as the possible breakthrough team - pitching? hitting? gut hunch?

Perhaps it's because of the witty banter and boyish charms of yank52, mr. b, and yours truly.

Or else it could be the boyish banter.  I'm not so sure about witty charms, however.

[REDMENFAN]

Carthage landed a big transfer in 1st baseman/pitcher Jason Acevado.  He's from Bradley University, and very highly regarded by the Carthage coaching staff.  Also look for JC transfer outfielder Tony Rdzok.  He can really really swing it, and should compete for playing time with the 5 senior outfielders.  Will Hodges will be another name to watch out for in the future. He's a freshman outfielder who's shown a great stick, and can run like the wind.  You can read about all 3 of these guys, and the rest of the team on Carthage's baseball website by just clicking on players and then profiles

[martin]

Here we are on February 20, a foot of snow on the ground, wind chill that makes you ask why do we live here - and baseball games just 17 days away.  IWU and Chicago are heading to Terre Haute, IN on March 8-9 to try to get a jump on the season at Rose-Hulman.  RHIT is heading to Florida this weekend and will have nine games under their belts by the time they get back.  I think they will have a distinct advantage over IWU and Chicago which might get outdoors for a day or two before March 8-9.

I just checked, current temperatures:
Terre Haute - 12 - with a flood warning
Bloominton - 11
Chicago - 6

The ten day forecasts for each city predict these highs and lows on Feb 29:
Terre Haute - 39/29
Bloomington - 36/30
Chicago - 32/28
Normal high and low in Terre Haute on March 8 and 9 is 49/30.  A bit of variability - the record high for March 8 and 9 is 80, the record low is 1 on March 8 and 7 on March 9.

Chicago really needs to get some games in.  Their next scheduled game after that weekend is on March 23 in Hiroshima, Japan, against Waseda University.  The ball park seats about 35,000 - wonder how many they will draw?  I wonder how many people in Hiroshima will mention what happen under the west stands of the original Stagg Field on December 2, 1942?

[mwunder]

Now that more eyes are on this site (as MLB's pitcher's and catcher's report), I'll ask this question again.

Why isn't Jose Alba back with the Red Men this season?  Anyone know?

[BigPoppa]

I wonder how many people in Hiroshima will mention what happen under the west stands of the original Stagg Field on December 2, 1942?

I actually lectured on this topic today. Small world, huh?

[REDMENFAN]

MWUNDER- I believe tuition was becoming an issue. I'm not 100% sure and can try finding out, but I'm almost certain I remember being told that a few months back