BB: General New England Discussion

[rbgosfan]

I think USM and ECSU are both in for sure. WNEC has too many in region losses for an at large but if they beat Curry in TCCC tournament, I could see Curry getting an at large.

[wordsmith]

I think many are over-looking WPI.

I'll say again, they beat Trinity, they just swept Wheaton . No love in the national poll, all look to records and Curry has an amazing record and shut-out Wheaton. But WPI has beat some of the best in New England.

Sullen Maine rises to the top of the food-chain as TEE slips to 8. Can anyone touch the Muskies this year???

Through games of April 19, 2009
# School (1st votes) Rec. Pts Prev.
1 Southern Maine (10) 28-3 584 5
2 Salisbury (4) 33-5 560 2
3 Pomona-Pitzer (7) 31-3 557 8
4 St. Scholastica (2) 24-2 528 6
5 Millsaps (1) 32-6 525 1
6 Trinity (Conn.) 21-3 500 7
7 Texas-Tyler 32-7 470 4
8 Eastern Connecticut (1) 24-6 421 10
9 Kean 28-7 418 12
10 Heidelberg 26-6 412 9
11 Wooster 28-7 396 11
12 Wheaton (Mass.) 26-7 332 3
13 Cal Lutheran 27-7 312 15
14 Keystone 29-4 263 19
15 St. Thomas 21-6 259 13
16 Curry 28-4 245 20
17 Carthage 20-5 243 22
18 Buena Vista 23-6 155 14
19 George Fox 29-8 108 21
20 Linfield 27-9 105 16
21 Shenandoah 31-8 104 17
22 Ithaca 22-6 87 --
23 Pacific Lutheran 27-8 70 --
24 Wilkes 25-6 69 --
25 UW-Whitewater 18-9


Word 8)

[TheGNAC]

Certainly a case can be made for WPI, but I'm not sure they get an at-large bid if they don't win the NEWMAC. I'm fairly certain Curry will.

Here's how I see the regionals shaking out right now.

NEWMAC: I think Wheaton is the clear-cut favorite here, even if WPI did sweep them. The Lyons are just the better, more experienced club, and I'm not going to argue with history. Wheaton gets the automatic bid here.

LEC: #1 Southern Maine has this locked up, I think. Regardless, Eastern Connecticut's reputation should get them a bid by itself, but I think they're good enough to receive one anyway. Expect USM to receive the automatic bid, with Eastern earning the at-large bid.

CCC: I'm going to disagree with Word's sentiments here and say that Curry has this locked up. I've seen Curry and WNEC play this year, and I have to say Curry is the better team. They have the best offense in the country, and they also have a couple studs at the top of their rotation. Curry wins the automatic bid from the CCC.

GNAC: This is where I'm wavering. Earlier, I would have said Suffolk was the favorite in this conference, and even if they didn't win, they'd still have an at-large bid wrapped up. After their last week, though (3-3), I'm not so sure. They dropped a game to UMass-Boston on Tuesday, and then dropped two to St. Joe's on Sunday. Still, I think their overall resume might put them into contention for an at-large (wins over Wheaton at #2, Keystone, WNEC). Regardless though, I'm sticking with the Rams to win the GNAC's automatic bid.

NESCAC: Pretty much the surest bet there is... Trinity takes the NESCAC, no at-large's awarded.

NAC: Don't know too much about the NAC this year, but with an 11-1 conference mark, I'd say Castleton State has this in the bag. No at-large's awarded.

MASCAC: Worcester State seems to be the class of the MASCAC this year, with a 12-0 mark in conference. At 23-10, their overall record puts them near the middle of the pack for at-large contenders, but they could earn one if they lose the conference tourney. Still, I expect Worcester State to win the conference. No at-large's awarded.

------------------

Now, that's all just conjecture on my part. Assuming everything shakes out as written above, and the region receives two at-large bids (as in 2008), I see the at-large bids being awarded to:

1. Eastern Connecticut
2. WPI
----------
3. WNEC

Now, let's say St. Joe's wins the GNAC, as they are the #1 seed in the tournament and will be hosting. If that happens, I could see this:

1. Eastern Connecticut
2. Suffolk
----------
3. WPI
4. WNEC

Now, let's say WNEC upsets Curry.

1. Curry
2. Eastern Connecticut
----------
3. Suffolk
4. WPI
5. WNEC


Let's assume WPI upsets Wheaton, and the rest go as-is.

1. Wheaton
2. Eastern Connecticut
----------
3. Suffolk
4. WNEC

So as you can see, there are a number of possibilities here. This is just one person's opinion, and I'd love to here your thoughts. Also keep in mind, the selection process is mostly statistical, as the committee factors in heavily winning percentage, opponent's winning percentage, and opponent's opponent's winning percentage.

Also, for those with more knowledge than I concerning the selection process, is there any chance New England is awarded 3 at-large bids this year, considering how strong the region has been (5 clubs in the top 25)? I'd be interested to hear those thoughts, too.

[ECSUalum]

GNAC,

Your amazing!! +1K AGAIN!!

[ecfaninri]

TheGNAC
Pretty good assessment concerning automatics and at- large bids. Remember last year Keene St. and USM went to Harwich and ECSU went to the Auburn regional. That's only 2 at-large bids, however you would have to see if the Auburn Regional has 1 or 2 automatic bids. If they do and if USM remains @#1 and Eastern stays in the top ten and is the host site it would be really hard to send them out. Then is would be between the loser of Trinity/WPI or Curry/WNEC.  If WPI and or WNEC wins their tournment and Trinity and Curry are still ranked in the top 15/16 - there is a strong case for 3 at-large bids.

At the NY region last year  - You has Ithaca ( Pool B) Cortland, Rensellear, Farmingdale, and 4 other teams from outside the Region - Eastern Ct- NE, Montclair St. -Mid Atlantic, Grove City and Ohio Wesleyan from the Mid East.
Grove City made it last year with a 18-16 record winning the President's Athletic Conference.Keep in mind that the Mid Atlantic Region has 8 teams, the NE region has 8 teams and the Mid East region only has 6 teams.

Realistically speaking, With USM, Trinity, Wheaton, Eastern, Curry all in the top 20 in the country, the committee is going to have a hard time not finding a place for any of these teams - even if they have to travel. That's if they don't win their conference. That means if WNEC (23-11), WPI(21-9)win their conference - Wheaton and Curry will be looking for a slot at- large.   With two weeks left - a lot can happen. But I do think 3 at large teams going elsewhere from NE is a possibility.

[TheGNAC]

TheGNAC
Pretty good assessment concerning automatics and at- large bids. Remember last year Keene St. and USM went to Harwich and ECSU went to the Auburn regional. That's only 2 at-large bids, however you would have to see if the Auburn Regional has 1 or 2 automatic bids. If they do and if USM remains @#1 and Eastern stays in the top ten and is the host site it would be really hard to send them out. Then is would be between the loser of Trinity/WPI or Curry/WNEC.  If WPI and or WNEC wins their tournment and Trinity and Curry are still ranked in the top 15/16 - there is a strong case for 3 at-large bids.

At the NY region last year  - You has Ithaca ( Pool B) Cortland, Rensellear, Farmingdale, and 4 other teams from outside the Region - Eastern Ct- NE, Montclair St. -Mid Atlantic, Grove City and Ohio Wesleyan from the Mid East.
Grove City made it last year with a 18-16 record winning the President's Athletic Conference.Keep in mind that the Mid Atlantic Region has 8 teams, the NE region has 8 teams and the Mid East region only has 6 teams.

Realistically speaking, With USM, Trinity, Wheaton, Eastern, Curry all in the top 20 in the country, the committee is going to have a hard time not finding a place for any of these teams - even if they have to travel. That's if they don't win their conference. That means if WNEC (23-11), WPI(21-9)win their conference - Wheaton and Curry will be looking for a slot at- large.   With two weeks left - a lot can happen. But I do think 3 at large teams going elsewhere from NE is a possibility.

If you're right, and New England receives 3 at-large bids, the likelihood of two New England teams making the World Series markedly increases. I'm fairly sure that any of the top 8 in New England could make a serious run at winning the New York regional.

It should be a very interesting 3 weeks.

[RSSmith]

TheGNAC
Pretty good assessment concerning automatics and at- large bids. Remember last year Keene St. and USM went to Harwich and ECSU went to the Auburn regional. That's only 2 at-large bids, however you would have to see if the Auburn Regional has 1 or 2 automatic bids. If they do and if USM remains @#1 and Eastern stays in the top ten and is the host site it would be really hard to send them out. Then is would be between the loser of Trinity/WPI or Curry/WNEC.  If WPI and or WNEC wins their tournment and Trinity and Curry are still ranked in the top 15/16 - there is a strong case for 3 at-large bids.

At the NY region last year  - You has Ithaca ( Pool B) Cortland, Rensellear, Farmingdale, and 4 other teams from outside the Region - Eastern Ct- NE, Montclair St. -Mid Atlantic, Grove City and Ohio Wesleyan from the Mid East.


Grove City made it last year with a 18-16 record winning the President's Athletic Conference.Keep in mind that the Mid Atlantic Region has 8 teams, the NE region has 8 teams and the Mid East region only has 6 teams.

Realistically speaking, With USM, Trinity, Wheaton, Eastern, Curry all in the top 20 in the country, the committee is going to have a hard time not finding a place for any of these teams - even if they have to travel. That's if they don't win their conference. That means if WNEC (23-11), WPI(21-9)win their conference - Wheaton and Curry will be looking for a slot at- large.   With two weeks left - a lot can happen. But I do think 3 at large teams going elsewhere from NE is a possibility.

Realistically, don't you think 3 NE teams being shipped elsewhere is incredibly remote??

[TheGNAC]

TheGNAC
Pretty good assessment concerning automatics and at- large bids. Remember last year Keene St. and USM went to Harwich and ECSU went to the Auburn regional. That's only 2 at-large bids, however you would have to see if the Auburn Regional has 1 or 2 automatic bids. If they do and if USM remains @#1 and Eastern stays in the top ten and is the host site it would be really hard to send them out. Then is would be between the loser of Trinity/WPI or Curry/WNEC.  If WPI and or WNEC wins their tournment and Trinity and Curry are still ranked in the top 15/16 - there is a strong case for 3 at-large bids.

At the NY region last year  - You has Ithaca ( Pool B) Cortland, Rensellear, Farmingdale, and 4 other teams from outside the Region - Eastern Ct- NE, Montclair St. -Mid Atlantic, Grove City and Ohio Wesleyan from the Mid East.


Grove City made it last year with a 18-16 record winning the President's Athletic Conference.Keep in mind that the Mid Atlantic Region has 8 teams, the NE region has 8 teams and the Mid East region only has 6 teams.

Realistically speaking, With USM, Trinity, Wheaton, Eastern, Curry all in the top 20 in the country, the committee is going to have a hard time not finding a place for any of these teams - even if they have to travel. That's if they don't win their conference. That means if WNEC (23-11), WPI(21-9)win their conference - Wheaton and Curry will be looking for a slot at- large.   With two weeks left - a lot can happen. But I do think 3 at large teams going elsewhere from NE is a possibility.

Realistically, don't you think 3 NE teams being shipped elsewhere is incredibly remote??

I apologize. What I meant to say is that I could see 3 New England teams receiving at-large bids, with 2 going to New England and 1 to New York.

[Stump]

TheGNAC,
   Another great analysis. There certainly is a good case for 3 at large bids. Plenty of strong deserving teams.  Excellent assessment of at large possibilities. Always enjoy your insight.

  One interesting scenario to throw out and muddy the water a little more: what if someone else was to win the LEC tourney? I know it's very remote but what do you think happens if USM or ECSU were to lose the tourney? USM definitely still goes but does ECSU and which one goes to NY? I can't imagine they leave 3 LEC teams in 1 region.

   Just some additional thoughts and possibilities to fill the time while waiting for everything to play out.

   It'll be an interesting couple of weeks.

[dgilblair]

TheGNAC,
   Another great analysis. There certainly is a good case for 3 at large bids. Plenty of strong deserving teams.  Excellent assessment of at large possibilities. Always enjoy your insight.

  One interesting scenario to throw out and muddy the water a little more: what if someone else was to win the LEC tourney? I know it's very remote but what do you think happens if USM or ECSU were to lose the tourney? USM definitely still goes but does ECSU and which one goes to NY? I can't imagine they leave 3 LEC teams in 1 region.

   Just some additional thoughts and possibilities to fill the time while waiting for everything to play out.

   It'll be an interesting couple of weeks.

Good thoughts Stump.  This is the biggest week of the year for ECSU by far.  They can't slip like they did a couple weeks ago and if they do they will have to win the LEC tournament to get in. So many good teams in NE and if we get a upset or two with the autos it could get ugly. I believe the last time ECSU hosted the regional they did not get to play in it.     

[mainefan]

I understand that the regionals will be in Eastern but what are the dates for the tournament?
Also where are the nationals and what are the dates for it?

[Stump]

Regionals: May 13-17 ECSU
Nationals: May 22-26 Grand Chute, Wi.

[ECSUalum]

Info on the NCAA New England Regional Tournament @ ECSU Baseball Complex, Mansfield CT.  See the Internet video/other arrangements in bold.

Web site: http://www.littleeast.com/sports/bsb/newenglandregional/index

April 20, 2009

Eastern Connecticut, Little East Co-Host 2009 NCAA Division III Baseball New England Regional
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. - The NCAA Division III Baseball Committee has chosen Eastern Connecticut State University and the Little East Conference to co-host the New England Region of the 2009 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament. The Eastern Baseball Stadium in Mansfield, Conn. is just one of eight pre-determined sites for the national tournament field.

"The conference office is looking forward to assisting Eastern Connecticut in hosting the NCAA Division III Baseball New England Region, "Commissioner Jonathan C. Harper said. "It is our expectation that this regional will be a first-class event for student-athletes, coaches, parents and fans that will travel to Mansfield."

The Warriors will serve as the host institution for the 16th time in the 34-year history of the championship. The Eastern Baseball Stadium opened in April 1, 1998, and has hosted the New England Regional three prior times. The stadium is located just over the Willimantic city line, one-half mile north of the main campus.

The NCAA Division III Baseball Selection Committee is scheduled to announce the pairings for each of the eight regional fields the morning of Monday, May 11. The regional tournament will begin on Wednesday, May 13 and the champion will be crowned on Sunday, May 17. The championship team from the New England Region will advance to the 2009 NCAA Division III Championship Round in Appleton, Wisconsin.

If you are unable to make the trip to Mansfield, Conn., you can follow all the action live on the Little East Conference Web site. The tournament championship page will provide full coverage of the New England Region with a link for real-time statistics and video broadcast for each of the games. The Eastern Connecticut sports information staff will be running live in-game statistics, while Bridgewater Television (BTV9) will be producing each broadcast.   

From 1976 through 1990, the national tournament was comprised of six-regional fields with the champion of each region advancing the NCAA Division III Championship Round. The Northeast and New York Regional Tournaments were established in 1991, expanding the field to the current-day eight-regional format. The New England tournament has been hosted by just three institutions besides Eastern Connecticut: The University of Southern Maine at both its on-campus facility in Gorham and at Hadlock Field in Portland - the home of the Double A Eastern League franchise, the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) at Whitehouse Field in Harwich, Mass., and Wesleyan University at Palmer Field in Middletown, Conn. Since 1998, the regional tournament has been staged in either Mansfield or Harwich.

Other sites for the 2009 NCAA Division III Regional are as follows: Augustana College (Ill.) (Central Region), Adrian College (Mideast Region), University of Wisconsin-Oshkosch (Midwest Region), State University of College at Old Westbury and the Skyline Conference (New York Region), Salisbury University (South Region), and Linfield College (West Region). The Mid-Atlantic Region has yet to be assigned.

[soxfan42585]

ive been dormant on here this season, but the analysis is awesome.  I'm a mainah- so I'm pulling for maine teams... the GNAC, do you see SJC getting an atlarge bid if they take suffolk to double elim and win out against keene, usm and bates?  USM is in.  How did Bowdoin fare this year?  Does the NAC have an auto bid?  if so, whats that conference look like?  Havent heard much from there, but probably for good reason.

[ECSUalum]

ive been dormant on here this season, but the analysis is awesome.  I'm a mainah- so I'm pulling for maine teams... the GNAC, do you see SJC getting an atlarge bid if they take suffolk to double elim and win out against keene, usm and bates?  USM is in.  How did Bowdoin fare this year?  Does the NAC have an auto bid?  if so, whats that conference look like?  Havent heard much from there, but probably for good reason.

soxfan,

Good to have you back. 

Here are Conferences with winners who auto qualify:  NAC Conference is included

Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference
American Southwest Conference
Centennial Conference
College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
Commonwealth Coast Conference
Great Northeast Athletic Conference
Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Liberty League
Little East Conference
MAC Commonwealth Conference
MAC Freedom Conference
Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Midwest Conference
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
New England Small College Athletic Conference
New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference
New Jersey Athletic Conference
North Atlantic Conference
North Coast Athletic Conference
North Eastern Athletic Conference
Northwest Conference
Ohio Athletic Conference
Old Dominion Athletic Conference
Pennsylvania Athletic Conference
Presidents' Athletic Conference
Skyline Conference
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference;
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference
St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
State University of New York Athletic Conference
USA South Athletic Conference
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference