BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[D-BAT]

    In light of every season ending up with lots of ties in the standings and a dogfight for the dogpile at the USAS Tournament, whichever team can run out three solid starters to the mound is my pick...and of course I hope that's the Captains.

The #1 reason why USA-South should go back to 3-game series, it'll eliminate the ties.  Yes, I know that USA-South is beating each other up, but it's one of the best, if not the best conference in the country so why not play the best?

[LTBB1971]

USA_fan,
you do have a point but when the Conference had 3 game series, it seemed that only one team was able to make it to the NCAA, due to teams just beating each other up.  I personally would like to see go back to 3 game series, but since they started playing a 12 game conference schedule, more teams have made it to Regionals (example last year, NCWC, Shenandoah and CNU).

[D-BAT]

USA_fan,
you do have a point but when the Conference had 3 game series, it seemed that only one team was able to make it to the NCAA, due to teams just beating each other up.  I personally would like to see go back to 3 game series, but since they started playing a 12 game conference schedule, more teams have made it to Regionals (example last year, NCWC, Shenandoah and CNU).

True, so maybe the 2-game set is the best then.  To whomever wins the USA-South regular season title, then they should receive a 1st round bye in the conference tourney, the regular season champion must be rewarded for something if not receiving an automatic at-large bid. 

The regular season must have some value as the regular season champion has proven they are the best team in one of the best, if not the best conference of D3 baseball.

[hokieone]

  You hit it on the head. The regular season champion receives no real advantage for their efforts. If the last two teams in the standings would have a play in game, and then #1 play the winner of that game, they would have appropriate compensation for winning the regular season.

   On the negative side, with the teams playing so few conference games, ties are inevitable so somebody would get a nice break, or land in that 6-7 game, based upon the tie-breaker rules, not necessarily a good thing. Three seasons ago, if memory serves me correctly, there was a 5 way tie for first heading into the last weekend of games.

    Getting more teams into the NCAA is a big plus.  Shenandoah's super 2009 season was not diminished by it's not winning the tournament or the regular season title in the slightest.

      USAS must be the toughest conference in the Country when the number 6 team in the Country only ties for third place in the regular season.    

[D-BAT]

USAS must be the toughest conference in the Country when the number 6 team in the Country only ties for third place in the regular season.    

How 'bout that!

[hokieone]

I guess it's official...sort of. Per posting on Methodist web site, Massey ratings rank USA South as strongest D III baseball conference in 2009.

[D-BAT]

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=cbase

[NoVa Baseball]

I must be slow.  I've scoured the Massey site and can't find where the USA South is ranked #1 among D3 conferences.  I can see the south region and judging from the top-bottom team rankings, it looks like they are the strongest.  It is also pretty neat to see that the top ranked D3 teams would be in the upper middle of most D1 conferernces and at the top of a few D1 and more than a few D2 conferences.  I guess the comments I've read here about the strongest D3 teams being competitive with the average D1 teams is true.  To bad there aren't more opportunities for them to play so we could find out. 

[NoVa Baseball]

My bad - I just found it.  You click on the DIII tab and then scroll all the way down. 

[WMSBRGFan]

As a new parent of a USA South ball player I am  looking forward to the coming season. I do not know a lot about the USAS but do know a little about some of the players that went to schools in the south. I know that Avertt picked upsome good hitting and middle infield help (probably good enough to see some time as a freshman) and some pitching that is probably a year away. I know that CNU picked up good outfield help and at least one freshman pitch who will be a impact this year, I also heard that got a couple of transfers but not sure. What can everyone tell me about the USAS this year? Thanks and look forward to discussing and trash talking (in good nature only).

[hokieone]

    Welcome aboard. You may not get a lot of info as nobody wants to unwittingly give early scouting reports to opposing folks, but you can be sure the conference games will be dogfights, the standings will be packed tightly, and nobody will be a head-and-shoulders-above-the-rest favorite when tournament time comes.  Having said that, here goes:

    As you may notice, it seems the USAS leads the web site in conference postings, but that may drop off some.  We lost a wonderful friend and frequent poster in JT last spring, and some of the players prone to posting learned it's not a good idea to get in trash-talking wars on a public board, but there are a lot of knowledgeable folks still around, although I'm not one of them.

    While some teams you know will be strong based upon 2009, such as Shenandoah, every year there are surprises. Shenandoah didn't get too much respect out of the chute last season  as many attributed their play station-like numbers to a weak early season schedule, but they got rolling, ran through the South Regional and made it to the World Series.   They flat out played well and earned it.  They won't sneak up on anybody this year. Methodist was on the edge of getting a bid last year, so they'll be strong as well. Methodist will host the South regional this year, a big plus for them if they can get there, but while  their field is very nice, after playing the Regional at Legion Field in Lynchburg in 2008, and Del Marva's Shorebird Stadium in 2009, the facility isn't the same as the minor league parks of the previous years. Perhaps Fayetteville will show them some love and add some stadium to their excellent field.

     Being a CNU fan, and not wanting to tip their hand, they should be very solid this year. They may just be an overall  better hitting lineup this year top to bottom, although no one person will replace Bailey's numbers, but the Captains will be helped by some good newbies. Just like everybody else, it will come down to pitching. It ALWAYS comes down to pitching, for every team, every year.   If any team  has 3 solid starters, and can run 3-4 dependable relievers out there, they are a serious contender.   Shenandoah is no secret, they can play with anybody, and if they can come up with a #2  and #3 pitcher anywhere close to Van Sickler, they will indeed be tough as they have plenty of sticks. NCWC is always good, and apparently got in some promising newbies.  Ferrum, Greensboro, and Averett kind of faded at the end last season, but all three return some good experienced players and if they can pull some help out of their new arrivals, they'll be back in the mix. 

     The league is blessed with some wonderful coaches and most have been there for a while.  They know each other well. 2010 looks like it will be Shenandoah's last year in USAS, and the rumor mill has all kinds of things happening in 2011, maybe adding southern schools, maybe not, but let's just play this season first.

     2010 master schedule is now up on USAS web site.

[NoVa Baseball]

Willamsburg:   Hokie is spot on with his description of the conference.  I think he's right too about fans of particular schools not wanting to give away too much info about the strength of the team for the upcoming season.  Shenandoah is no secret - they will be the team to beat this year.  That said, there are several teams bunched up right behind them ready to take their place.  As Hokie says, the conference games are always dogfights - witness Ferrum knocking off CNU and Averett knocking off Methodist in the first game of the conference tourney last year.  I'm looking forward to seeing more great battles this season.  Is your son going to Averett or CNU?  Couldn't tell from your post.

[WMSBRGFan]

All,
Thanks for the great insight, and you guys are smart to, my son is going to CNU, but I have coach and followed baseball since he was tiny, so I know the kids around here I am following them also. I will be cheering for CNU but following all the young men I have watched grow up on a ball field. I think that the dogfight analogy is perfect as the teams in the USAS are all strong. Where is Shenadoah going next year? I have heard that a couple of times. Once again thanks for the input, and I will guard my knowledge as to not give to much away!

[LTBB1971]

WMSBRGFan,
as a second year follower of the USA SOUTH in my opinion here are some players to watch for this year:

NCWC - JR 1B Zach Alexander, JR SS Justin Rahm, JR OF Daniel Moore, JR LHP Max Knowles, JR LHP Justin Diener

Averett - SR SS Jake Loye, SR 3B Eric Sibrizzi, JR OF Adam Higgins

Methodist - SO 1B Trey Such, SR 2B Brian Halpin, JR SS Brian Inghram, SR RHP Landon Jordan, SR RHP Alex Sholar

CNU - SR 1B Chris Despins, SR 2B Parker Neal, JR 3B Mike Romett, SO C Steven Lindemuth, SR RHP Josh Brinkman

Greensboro - SR SS Michael Parker, SR OF Clint DeHaven, JR RHP Alex Phetteplace, SR RHP Trevor Mabry

Shenandoah - JR 1B/P Greg Van Sickler, SO 1B/DH Cory Nelson, SR 3B Scott Van Dusseldorp, JR  OF Kevin Brashears

Ferrum - SO 2B Paul Jaglowski, JR DH Kevin Marshall, JR OF Travis Crump, SR LHP Jon Wilson

[D-BAT]

Shenandoah is no secret - they will be the team to beat this year.  That said, there are several teams bunched up right behind them ready to take their place. 

If you don't bring your A-game then you will not win in the USA-South.  From what I saw last year during the USA-South tourney and with what everyone has returning.

1-Methodist
2-SU
3-NCWC
4-CNU
5-Ferrum
6-Greensboro
7-Averett