BB: SUNYAC

[cstate19]

Thanks for the updates. +k to you!

[Bob Maxwell]

John,

You missed one of the best parts of the Oneonta game vs Brockport... you mention that Brockport did rally back to within two at 6-4.  But the game ended... it almost kept going... on a Tony Shallo 2-run home run that Oneonta's center fielder (Josh Bedosky) brought back from over the fence.  It was a towering shot that was about 60 feet to the left of straight away center field...

the height of it game more anticipation to the moment... wish someone had it on tape as it would be one of the plays that would show up on ESPN's web gems.

Brockport did not quit... as they battled right to the end like they did vs Plattsburgh for the win... and in the 5-4 loss to Cortland.

Disappointing for Brockport fans, but great baseball...  The character that the Eagles showed reflects well on their program and head coach.


The parent in me here... yes, Rob gave up six runs on 10 hits, but I would not charaterize it as being shelled.  As they weren't hitting rockets all over the field... only four of the hits were hit hard, and the others were the type that break your heart... as they were inches from being outs and keeping the game close.  Yes, he gave up hits, but getting shelled is not what happened.  The team stayed in the game and almost tied it in the bottom of the 9th.  GReat job by Dan Ferraro keeping the team a chance to win!

Erik Weber had a similar outting in the game he pitched against Cortland.  he went 4.1 innings, giving up 8 hits and 8 runs.  I have only four of those hits being hard hit... the others were the heart breaking ones. 

Both of these guys are pitchers that are top shelf, they simply had bad luck on this day.  It happens... any good pitcher knows that it happens once in a while and comes out to pitch again, being the better for it.  I know I expect to see a well pitched game when either of them is on the mound... and suspect that teams know they are in for a battle when they have to face them both.

It happens, you get over it and go back out the next turn.


Trivia note... all six games were won by the team in the first base dugout.

3 games were by a wide margin... the championship being one of them... but it was 4-4 in the 7th.  So it was a good game for most of it. 

The other three games were nail biters on both sides right up to the end... wondering out loud if Brockport being in all three of them is a coincidence?  Or is it just the Brockport fan in me seeing that.   

As I said, a disappointing out come for fans of Plattsburgh, Brockport and Oneonta... but most of the baseball was top shelf!  Good luck to Cortland... and I hope that the conference continues to grow more next year!

[hitforthecycle]

Kudos Bob for a fairly detailed and accurate description of the events that took place at the SUNYAC tournament.  However, the young man who got "shelled" displayed very poor sportmanship after being removed from the game by throwing his glove in disgust and abandonded his team by leaving the dugout to sulk.  So I ask you Bob, your thoughts on the actions of this young man and how it reflects on the Brockport program.......?  Overall, I saw good sportsmanship and good play from the other three teams as you mentioned but failed to mention this incident in your post.  In addition, nice job Cortland for being a fine host to all teams and spectators. 

[John McGraw]

In case anyone was wondering...

FINAL

Cortland 11 Oneonta 4

*Cortland scored seven runs over their final two at-bats.

Sorry the updates stopped, but stuffed french toast at IHOP won over listening to the game.

[Spree]

Cycle,

honestly...who cares if the kid threw his glove.  Obviously upset with himself.  Wasnt showing up anyone.  Felt he could pitch better and was disgusted with his effort.  I wouldnt say its poor sportsmanship.  I rather see a kid upset like that then come off the mound with a smile on his face.

[cstate19]

John,

You missed one of the best parts of the Oneonta game vs Brockport... you mention that Brockport did rally back to within two at 6-4.  But the game ended... it almost kept going... on a Tony Shallo 2-run home run that Oneonta's center fielder (Josh Bedosky) brought back from over the fence.  It was a towering shot that was about 60 feet to the left of straight away center field...

the height of it game more anticipation to the moment... wish someone had it on tape as it would be one of the plays that would show up on ESPN's web gems.

Brockport did not quit... as they battled right to the end like they did vs Plattsburgh for the win... and in the 5-4 loss to Cortland.

Disappointing for Brockport fans, but great baseball...  The character that the Eagles showed reflects well on their program and head coach.


The parent in me here... yes, Rob gave up six runs on 10 hits, but I would not charaterize it as being shelled.  As they weren't hitting rockets all over the field... only four of the hits were hit hard, and the others were the type that break your heart... as they were inches from being outs and keeping the game close.  Yes, he gave up hits, but getting shelled is not what happened.  The team stayed in the game and almost tied it in the bottom of the 9th.  GReat job by Dan Ferraro keeping the team a chance to win!

Erik Weber had a similar outting in the game he pitched against Cortland.  he went 4.1 innings, giving up 8 hits and 8 runs.  I have only four of those hits being hard hit... the others were the heart breaking ones. 

Both of these guys are pitchers that are top shelf, they simply had bad luck on this day.  It happens... any good pitcher knows that it happens once in a while and comes out to pitch again, being the better for it.  I know I expect to see a well pitched game when either of them is on the mound... and suspect that teams know they are in for a battle when they have to face them both.

It happens, you get over it and go back out the next turn.


Trivia note... all six games were won by the team in the first base dugout.

3 games were by a wide margin... the championship being one of them... but it was 4-4 in the 7th.  So it was a good game for most of it. 

The other three games were nail biters on both sides right up to the end... wondering out loud if Brockport being in all three of them is a coincidence?  Or is it just the Brockport fan in me seeing that.  

As I said, a disappointing out come for fans of Plattsburgh, Brockport and Oneonta... but most of the baseball was top shelf!  Good luck to Cortland... and I hope that the conference continues to grow more next year!

Plattsburgh was in the 1st base dugout against Oneonta State.  Didn't work out as well for them as you said. 

[hitforthecycle]

Spree, you fail to mention that the young man left the field of play during the contest.  There's nothing wrong with showing disgust with one's performance but to leave your teammates hanging while battling to overcome the hole that was left for them is not acceptable and can be defined as selfish.  I'm simply saying that it was a selfish act that doesn't represent or support good sportsmanship and a team concept.  I respect your opinion and I agree that some emotion is better than none but composure is paramount for team success.  Also, I never said that he was showing anyone up but he instead embarassed his own team which has to do with sportsmanship.  Failure is part of the game and the way in which it is dealt with, especially by a team leader, can have a negative impact.  I just feel that excuses were made for the pitcher's performance and attitude/composure in big games is what wins not immaturity and selfishness.     

[John McGraw]

From what it sounds like, he could've done a lot worse.

Cut the kid a break, he did something he probably shouldn't have, and I'm sure he won't do it again. I'd imagine his older teammates took him aside or will take him aside and explain that doing something like that isn't acceptable at this level.

It happens. I take nothing more from it. I'm sure he will bounce back this summer and have a good go of it in the NYCBL.

And I don't think there's a need to badger the boy's father about what he did either. It's over, it happened, big deal. Put yourself in his shoes. How would you like to be hassled on a message board about something your son/daughter did in the heat of competition?

[scuba16]

Well, cortland ran through their pitchers from #1 - #3 and low and behold won the tournament. I agree that there are different ways to look at the pitching situation but if you are the #1 seed, you should throw your guys in the order established all yr and stick with it. The only thing that sucks is that matt tone didn't get a chance to pitch but that happens when you go 3-0 in a 4 team double elim tourney. Congrats to the players and coaches at cortland, you guys continue to make the baseball alums proud.

As a side note, i think brockport is worthy of a regional bid (probably the best team in the NY region besides cortland) but the 2 late lossses to ithaca and 2 losses in the sunyac tournament may have doomed them.
Ithaca is going to get a regional bid and they may not deserve it. Dropping games left and right late, thats unlike IC. I think hosting the tournament might tip the scales in their favor and they will get in.

[Bob Maxwell]

Cstate,

I think your correct on Plattsburgh being in the first basee dugout... as Oneonta was already in the 3rd base dugout.  My bad on that... 


Cycle (and others who commented on the bad form...) your absolutely correct on that.  And he has already spoken with us (his parents) about it and apologized for the poor behavior... I would imagine that he has also done the same with his team mates and coaches, and if he hasn't will do so at the first opportunity.

It was disappointment in letting his friends, teammates, coaches and the fans down...  He regrets having done that... and will learn from it.

I see and hear players constantly banging bats and helmets in the dugout all the time after striking out or not succeeding on the field... not from poor sportsmanship, but from feeling as if they let their team down.  I respect the competative spirit of anyone who represents their school in competition and understand how acute the emotion is during a game.  And will cut them a little slack when they get frustrated... if it continues are is a constant reoccuring thing, then I would think it is poor sportsmanship.

He did leave the dugout after being removed from the game, but that was to cool his emotions and collect himself.  It happens all the time at the professional level... you just don't see it as they go into the club house.  In this case, you have to walk through the public area to get to even the rest room.  I think that is a sign of maturity, knowing you need to settle down and collect yourself... He was back in the dugout after a short period of time and was part of the team supporting the team.

I feel that this is something that as John says, can be addressed and we move on from it.  I have no problem addressing it... as it happened, but to his credit, he brought it up to me!

[John McGraw]

Well, cortland ran through their pitchers from #1 - #3 and low and behold won the tournament. I agree that there are different ways to look at the pitching situation but if you are the #1 seed, you should throw your guys in the order established all yr and stick with it. The only thing that sucks is that matt tone didn't get a chance to pitch but that happens when you go 3-0 in a 4 team double elim tourney. Congrats to the players and coaches at cortland, you guys continue to make the baseball alums proud.

As a side note, i think brockport is worthy of a regional bid (probably the best team in the NY region besides cortland) but the 2 late lossses to ithaca and 2 losses in the sunyac tournament may have doomed them.
Ithaca is going to get a regional bid and they may not deserve it. Dropping games left and right late, thats unlike IC. I think hosting the tournament might tip the scales in their favor and they will get in.

Ithaca beat Brockport head-to-head. That's the difference. Both teams have good wins and bad losses. I think Ithaca is a little down this year, not many times Coach Val's team has dropped three conference games. The Manhattanville loss from earlier this year looks a little better now that the Valiants are going to the NCAA tournament. If they weren't, then it'd be a bad loss. Oswego finished respectably in the SUNYAC but that's someone in the last few years that Ithaca has had their way with.

The SUNYAC tournament exit by Brockport I think seals their fate. I could be wrong. I still think they're a very good team, right on par with Ithaca and better than RPI. The Cortland loss doesn't hurt them as much as the Oneonta loss does. Now granted, Oneonta was ranked in the regional poll last week. They'll probably hop Brockport. Hard to believe that it was a team that barely made it into the SUNYAC tournament and had to do so by beating New Paltz and Fredonia on the final weekend of the regular season.

[scuba16]

Who will the ny regional consist of? In are: Cortland Sunyac, Manhattanville Skyline,
Liberty league representative (RPI, St. Lawrence or U of R) automatic bids right? Teams that have a good chance of getting in: Ithaca. Outside looking in: Brockport, Oneonta? If a 4 team regional takes place, Cortland, Manhattanville, Liberty league rep, and Ithaca? 5 team regional makes no sense. 6 team regional, bring in 2 outside teams, or add brockport and a out of region team. What will happen here? I think the best teams in the NY region are Cortland, Manhattanville, Ithaca, RPI or St lawrence, Brockport, Oneonta.
I think that would make a heck of a 6 team regional, not going to happen but would be a good regional.

[Bob Maxwell]

I think that the days of the 4 team regionals are gone...

Aren't they all at least 6 teams now?  With five of them being 7 teams.

A lot of what may or may not happen will be determined by what happens in the conference tournaments the next week.  If there are upsets then the chances are smaller... if all the favorites win, then there is a shot for someone to get in.

We shall see what happens...

[John McGraw]

I miss the days of the four-team regional. The last four-team regional took place in 2004 when Brockport went to the World Series. That year it was Brockport, Cortland, Ithaca and RPI. Brockport and RPI were Pool A selections, Ithaca a Pool B and Cortland a Pool C (one of the last).

Before that, 2001 was the only other four-team regional since the decade started. That year at Falcon Park you had Cortland, Ithaca, Old Westbury and RPI. Cortland defeated Ithaca to win the championship, its last prior to 2005.

This year right now out of New York it appears to be...Cortland, Ithaca, Manhattanville, RPI/UR/SLU. If RPI does not win the Liberty tournament, they have a shot at a Pool C. Not that I think they deserve it, but they're ranked second in the regional and from an outsiders view, have a good regional record - even though, from what we've seen, they've struggled. Assuming RPI wins, you'll have two out of region teams, one from the Mid-Atlantic and one from New England or two from New England. SLU and UR as previously discussed are probably not in contention. If LaRoche or Medaille win the AMCC tournament, I easily see of them coming to New York. Medaille would be the more logical since they're in Buffalo. LaRoche could go to the Mid-Atlantic or Mideast.

Barring any upsets in the LEC and NESCAC, it looks like a six-team regional. Last year, with two New England teams and two Liberty teams it bulged up to seven.

[Bob Maxwell]

Field,

yes that is the prognosticaion from the crystal ball at d3baseball... I hope they are right, as they have Brockport in!!!   

John,
I've spoken in support of the automatic qualifiers on other spaggs on this board, and still do support that as it gives inclusion to all schools for at least access to the tournament.  I am going to say this, but don't want it to be taken as school bashing as two of the players on this team are good friends and former team mates of my son, and I went to college with the head coach.  If Mediaille wins the Alleghany mountain tournament and gets that AQ adn plays in the NY regional, that will be tough to take for the three SUNYAC teams that didn't win the SUNYAC tournament... all three of them pretty easily defeated Medaille more then once this year... 

But hey, if it happens, that is the way it goes... and great for the MAVERICKS if it happens.  My other son goes there and playes volleyball!   

Just me thinking out loud...