BB: Midwest Region

[biggio34]

Does anyone know why Superior is playing most of its home games at Wade Stadium this season?

I believe the WIAC deemed their field unsuitable for conference play.  Sadly, Wade Stadium's infield is not in much better shape.

What made me question it is that Sup is scheduled to play four of their last eight games at the Ted and four across the bridge. And those locations are split – Ted, Wade, Wade, Ted. Seemed odd ... as if the Ted is unplayable on Sundays or something.

CSS plays their games at Wade as well.  There is probably a conflict on Saturday's and CSS does not play on Sunday.  CSS has Crown at Wade today and tomorrow.

[cubs]

any thoughts on the regional rankings that came out today

based on the selection criteria I believe they are as they should be.  LAX split with st Olaf today.  I look for them to falter against superior this weekend as well.  I think we will see point in the number two spot in the next rankings.

Can I ask why?  Winning 10 straight games against the likes of Stevens Point, Oshkosh, and Whitewater holds more weight in my eyes than a mid-week NC split where they threw a pitcher that was making just his second start of the season.

My reasoning is this... yes they had won 10 straight, and yes their mid week loss is not really a very big deal, but of their 10 games they won in a row, I believe half of them were 1 run walk off wins.  At some point, things stop going your way, you maybe don't get the little breaks you were getting.  Plus, after playing the likes of Point, Osh, and Whitewater and doing well, its likely the team is/was at an emotional high.  Now you play Superior, a team they need to be ready for, but can they sustain that same energy they have had against the best teams in the WIAC?  I'm not 100% convinced they won't take this series, but I wouldnt be surprised to see Superior win 2 or 3 of the games.

Fair enough...  I guess when I look at their roster and see it littered with juniors and seniors who nearly lost the chance to play without some private fundraising and donations, I can't see them losing their focus.

[cubs]

Well La Crosse virtually locks up the WIAC regular season title today and runs their WIAC winning streak to 14 games as they complete the four game sweep of Superior in somewhat comfortable fashion.  The Eagles won three out of the four games by five runs or more.  Going into next weekend, La Crosse needs to win just one out of four games with Stout to secure the regular season title and home-field advantage in the WIAC Tournament.  They hold a three game lead over Stevens Point and also have the tiebreaker with the Pointers thanks to their four game sweep of Whitewater.

If Point happens to lose a game to Whitewater on Monday afternoon, teams would also be able to make travel plans for La Crosse the weekend of May 11th-13th as well.

Are you a believer of La Crosse yet biggio34?   

[biggio34]

Are you a believer of La Crosse yet biggio34?   

Yes.  Impressive!

I wouldn't say I was ever a non believer, I just thought they might have a bit of a let down this weekend.  Wrong.  It will be interesting to see how long they can continue this great run.  It would be a pretty amazing story to go from almost losing the program to being World Series bound only a few years later.  My hats are off to them.

[biggio34]

Are you a believer of La Crosse yet biggio34?   

Yes.  Impressive!

I wouldn't say I was ever a non believer, I just thought they might have a bit of a let down this weekend.  Wrong.  It will be interesting to see how long they can continue this great run.  It would be a pretty amazing story to go from almost losing the program to being World Series bound only a few years later.  My hats are off to them.

And by hats, I mean hat, I usually only wear one at a time. 

[cubs]

So let's say Stevens Point drops both games to Whitewater today (they trail in the 8th inning of Game #1.)  That would mean that they lost three out of four on the weekend to the Warhawks.  What would that do to their Pool C chances?  They would be 25-11 (24-10 In Region) with four games at home against Platteville next weekend. 

Would they still be a solid Pool C after going 3-3 for the week?

[ShineTime]

My opinion don't matter but I think Point has played their way out of an at large.  I figured Whitewater was saving their best ball for Point.  You have to wonder if Point will even take all 4 from Platteville at this point.  Looks like Points going to lose game 2 also.  If they win all 4 against Platteville and at least make the WIAC title game MAYBE they have a chance.  I really thought Point was getting hot at the right time but guess I was wrong.

[brewcrew2008]

If Point sweeps Platteville next weekend they will end up with a 29-11 regular season record and a 16-8 conference record. Back in 2010 (the year they went to the World Series) they finished the season 27-13 and also had a 16-8 conference record. That year they won two in the conference tourney before losing two in the title game to Whitewater to finish with a 29-15 record and they still managed to make the NCAA tourney. My point to all this is that as long as Point sweeps Platteville I think they'll be in the Tourney but getting a sweep in this conference never seems to be easy

[BigPoppa]

It's hard to compare year to year bids based on overall record. There are way too many other factors looked at including how other teams in the Pool C bucket fared on the season.

[biggio34]

Interesting debate going on in Minnesota with the new Vikings stadium and the dimensions of the playing field for baseball.  This is a good read and there are many different takes in the comments section.

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/188506601.html

Whatever happens, it's obviously going to affect many D3 teams in the Midwest and Central regions.

[OshDude]

Interesting debate going on in Minnesota with the new Vikings stadium and the dimensions of the playing field for baseball.  This is a good read and there are many different takes in the comments section.

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/188506601.html

Whatever happens, it's obviously going to affect many D3 teams in the Midwest and Central regions.

The comments are wild. Bless the Internet and those who partake in her glory.

The article itself is very interesting. Thanks for posting it. I hadn't seen it.

[BigPoppa]

What it comes down to in the MetroDome is that local high schools and colleges have been spoiled by the ability to play in the Dome in the early spring. As a current high school head coach in the Twin Cities, it will affect me a bit but I would not expect an NFL stadium to accomodate my baseball team in its plans. Sadly, local amatuer teams have grown accustomed to having the dome as a fall back... U of M included.

[OshDude]

What it comes down to in the MetroDome is that local high schools and colleges have been spoiled by the ability to play in the Dome in the early spring. As a current high school head coach in the Twin Cities, it will affect me a bit but I would not expect an NFL stadium to accomodate my baseball team in its plans. Sadly, local amatuer teams have grown accustomed to having the dome as a fall back... U of M included.

What do you think of the people who say it is the "people's stadium" and it only was approved because it was going to be a multi-use facility?

[Ralph Turner]

Interesting debate going on in Minnesota with the new Vikings stadium and the dimensions of the playing field for baseball.  This is a good read and there are many different takes in the comments section.

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/188506601.html

Whatever happens, it's obviously going to affect many D3 teams in the Midwest and Central regions.

Wow!  400 baseball games!

[BigPoppa]

What it comes down to in the MetroDome is that local high schools and colleges have been spoiled by the ability to play in the Dome in the early spring. As a current high school head coach in the Twin Cities, it will affect me a bit but I would not expect an NFL stadium to accomodate my baseball team in its plans. Sadly, local amatuer teams have grown accustomed to having the dome as a fall back... U of M included.

What do you think of the people who say it is the "people's stadium" and it only was approved because it was going to be a multi-use facility?

Hard to say, I don't really recall it being touted as a multi-use facility but many took it be that way as that is what the Dome had been. They forget that the Dome was built with BOTH the Twins and Vikings in mind. This stadium is being built with only the Vikings in mind. No one is saying that baseball cannot be played there, but the dimensions of the field would be a bit small. Still, I would not mind if it were a football only facility... I find it mind-boggling that baseball coaches are insisting on a baseball facility as well. Would I like it to be available for us? YES!, but do I EXPECT them to do it for us??? No.