BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[jester13]

Nope. Sanchez beat Nathan in almost every non-counting-stat hitting category, and he beat him in most counting-stat categories as well -- in spite of the fact that the Titans have played three more games to date than the Vikings. And are you really serious about Sanchez and CCIW baserunners, or is the smiley indicating that you're not? 'cause only seven CCIW baserunners even tried to run on Sanchez (and, thus, NPU). That's less than half of what each other team in the league had to face in terms of attempted steals.

I realize that Sanchez and Nathan are different types of hitters; Nathan's a table-setter, while Sanchez is a run-producer. But Sanchez basically had to function as NPU's only legitimate power threat this year due to Brad Medina's struggles at the plate. For him to thrive in a situation in which he hardly ever got to see a serious fastball due to the lack of protection behind him in the lineup is a testament to his ability as a hitter.

Gregory Sager 1      Jester 0

Are you sure about this score now? Seems people in the CCIW agreed with me and not Mr. Sager. Seems they do take both sides into consideration. I thought the way Greg was talking that Sanchez was going to win POY also. Seems the score should now be Jester 1 Sager 0

[jester13]

Congrats to Nick Soldano on his Pitcher of the Year award. Also congrats to the rest of the NPU Vikings for being named All Conference.  Is this a record for NPU on the number of All Conference selections?

[mr_b]

Congrats to Nick Soldano on his Pitcher of the Year award. Also congrats to the rest of the NPU Vikings for being named All Conference.  Is this a record for NPU on the number of All Conference selections?

A quick look at the historical data shows that this ties the number of honors for the 1983 squad.  The 1984 team had five first-team selections.  More recently, the 2009, 2010, and 2011 teams each had six all-CCIWs, plus three Rawlings Golden Gloves thrown in for good measure.

[Gregory Sager]

Jester: See my PM.

[mr_b]

Nope. Sanchez beat Nathan in almost every non-counting-stat hitting category, and he beat him in most counting-stat categories as well -- in spite of the fact that the Titans have played three more games to date than the Vikings. And are you really serious about Sanchez and CCIW baserunners, or is the smiley indicating that you're not? 'cause only seven CCIW baserunners even tried to run on Sanchez (and, thus, NPU). That's less than half of what each other team in the league had to face in terms of attempted steals.

I realize that Sanchez and Nathan are different types of hitters; Nathan's a table-setter, while Sanchez is a run-producer. But Sanchez basically had to function as NPU's only legitimate power threat this year due to Brad Medina's struggles at the plate. For him to thrive in a situation in which he hardly ever got to see a serious fastball due to the lack of protection behind him in the lineup is a testament to his ability as a hitter.

Gregory Sager 1      Jester 0

Are you sure about this score now? Seems people in the CCIW agreed with me and not Mr. Sager. Seems they do take both sides into consideration. I thought the way Greg was talking that Sanchez was going to win POY also. Seems the score should now be Jester 1 Sager 0

I don't think Greg was talking up Sanchez to the point of POY.  But having watched Sanchez for all of the home games, and having seen Nathan for just a few games in the CCIW Tournament, I daresay he was basing his argument not just on the numbers but also on observed performance.

[Gregory Sager]

I don't think Greg was talking up Sanchez to the point of POY.  But having watched Sanchez for all of the home games, and having seen Nathan for just a few games in the CCIW Tournament, I daresay he was basing his argument not just on the numbers but also on observed performance.

Precisely. Thanks, DB.

Congrats to Nick Soldano on his Pitcher of the Year award. Also congrats to the rest of the NPU Vikings for being named All Conference.  Is this a record for NPU on the number of All Conference selections?

A quick look at the historical data shows that this ties the number of honors for the 1983 squad.

One of those '83 All-CCIWers, shortstop Randy Ross, is the best player I've ever seen don a Vikings uni. He was drafted in the 15th round by the Dodgers in 1983.

[voiceofseason]

Nope. Sanchez beat Nathan in almost every non-counting-stat hitting category, and he beat him in most counting-stat categories as well -- in spite of the fact that the Titans have played three more games to date than the Vikings. And are you really serious about Sanchez and CCIW baserunners, or is the smiley indicating that you're not? 'cause only seven CCIW baserunners even tried to run on Sanchez (and, thus, NPU). That's less than half of what each other team in the league had to face in terms of attempted steals.

I realize that Sanchez and Nathan are different types of hitters; Nathan's a table-setter, while Sanchez is a run-producer. But Sanchez basically had to function as NPU's only legitimate power threat this year due to Brad Medina's struggles at the plate. For him to thrive in a situation in which he hardly ever got to see a serious fastball due to the lack of protection behind him in the lineup is a testament to his ability as a hitter.

Gregory Sager 1      Jester 0

Are you sure about this score now? Seems people in the CCIW agreed with me and not Mr. Sager. Seems they do take both sides into consideration. I thought the way Greg was talking that Sanchez was going to win POY also. Seems the score should now be Jester 1 Sager 0

I don't think Greg was talking up Sanchez to the point of POY.  But having watched Sanchez for all of the home games, and having seen Nathan for just a few games in the CCIW Tournament, I daresay he was basing his argument not just on the numbers but also on observed performance.

Being a former catcher myself, I know first hand there is a lot of wear and tear on individuals playing that position.  Both of these athletes caught the majority of innings for the year.  For either of them to have the offensive year they had is very impressive - I would advocate TWO catchers on the 1st team anyway.  It only seems fair if there were five pitchers.

I'm a fan of the IWU program, but watched Sanchez play locally at Heartland Community College before he moved on to Chicago State.  In fact, he sort of got a raw deal at the end of his sophomore year - his playing time was cut significantly without a lot of explanation (or so I was told).  With that being said, it was nice to see him have such a successful year his senior year.  You can't go wrong with either player on your team - they both deserved first team accolades in my opinion.

[Gregory Sager]

Catchers always seem to stick up for one another. Catchers must be like the Marines -- you're never an ex-catcher, just a retired one.

[mwunder]

Hopefully North Park can continue their recent good play as they face a tough St. Scholastica team.  They are currently 3rd in the nation in team batting average.  One kid is actually hitting .459 on the season!!   

I think UW-Lacrosse is the team to beat in the regional, but it's loaded.  Greg, if you're going to be there, let me know.  I might leave work early to see a game or two.

[voiceofseason]

Catchers always seem to stick up for one another. Catchers must be like the Marines -- you're never an ex-catcher, just a retired one.

There is some truth to that.  But try doing up downs for 8 innings and then see how much bat speed you have left in that critical moment in the 9th.    

Plus, we have to deal with pitchers more than anyone, which, as most know, are a weird breed anyway.....

Fire away.

[voiceofseason]

Hopefully North Park can continue their recent good play as they face a tough St. Scholastica team.  They are currently 3rd in the nation in team batting average.  One kid is actually hitting .459 on the season!!   

I think UW-Lacrosse is the team to beat in the regional, but it's loaded.  Greg, if you're going to be there, let me know.  I might leave work early to see a game or two.

For a team to go 21-0 in their conference like Scholastica did, you sure have to wonder about the quality of opponents they face.  I'm certain they have some good players, but wonder how battle tested they will be (especially in an 8-team regional).

[Viking Blue]

Catchers always seem to stick up for one another. Catchers must be like the Marines -- you're never an ex-catcher, just a retired one.

There is some truth to that.  But try doing up downs for 8 innings and then see how much bat speed you have left in that critical moment in the 9th.    

Plus, we have to deal with pitchers more than anyone, which, as most know, are a weird breed anyway.....

Fire away.

I'd consider what you just said catchers do, and then ask yourself....who's the weird one?

[CCIWFAN6]

Nope. Sanchez beat Nathan in almost every non-counting-stat hitting category, and he beat him in most counting-stat categories as well -- in spite of the fact that the Titans have played three more games to date than the Vikings. And are you really serious about Sanchez and CCIW baserunners, or is the smiley indicating that you're not? 'cause only seven CCIW baserunners even tried to run on Sanchez (and, thus, NPU). That's less than half of what each other team in the league had to face in terms of attempted steals.

I realize that Sanchez and Nathan are different types of hitters; Nathan's a table-setter, while Sanchez is a run-producer. But Sanchez basically had to function as NPU's only legitimate power threat this year due to Brad Medina's struggles at the plate. For him to thrive in a situation in which he hardly ever got to see a serious fastball due to the lack of protection behind him in the lineup is a testament to his ability as a hitter.

I am a little late to the conversation, but are we talking about all game stats or conference stats?

My knowledge of the all-conference was that it was selected based on conference statistics.  Am I wrong?

[D3Vike11]

Congrats to former North park pitching coach Steve Hardman who won the NAC Coach of the Year award. He took Dominican University to a 21-22 overall record as they reached the NAC tournament in his first year.

[biggio34]

Hopefully North Park can continue their recent good play as they face a tough St. Scholastica team.  They are currently 3rd in the nation in team batting average.  One kid is actually hitting .459 on the season!!   

I think UW-Lacrosse is the team to beat in the regional, but it's loaded.  Greg, if you're going to be there, let me know.  I might leave work early to see a game or two.

For a team to go 21-0 in their conference like Scholastica did, you sure have to wonder about the quality of opponents they face.  I'm certain they have some good players, but wonder how battle tested they will be (especially in an 8-team regional).

I can speak to the quality of their conference opponents... outside of two teams, they are brutal.  Bethany Lutheran and Northwestern are decent programs who always give the Saints a good game, but outside of that its pretty thin.

As far as how battle tested they are... they have played St Thomas (#1 seed), Lacrosse (#2 seed), Whitewater (#4 seed), Keystone (#1 seed), Washington U (#2 seed).  I think that probably stacks up against anyone else in the country as far as a non conference schedule goes.  They also have many players back who last year went to the regional championship, so they have some experience. 

But yes, their conference sucks.