BB: Midwest Region

[biggio34]

But I have a hard time believing that Bethany is legit and will contend with St. Scholastica for the UMAC crown. It's hard to give that conference much respect outside of a proven St. Scho program but we will see.

As a UMAC fan and attendee of last years conference tourney, I can assure you that Bethany deserves respect and if they didnt earn it with the season they had last year, this years squad will undoubtly do so.

[jmbaseball06]

I still don't know how you can measure a team's success in that conference until they are proven in a regional setting. Their numbers are incredible as a team, I don't disagree with that. I just want to see how they fare in their non-conference schedule this year. I feel that if you put any average MIAC team in that conference they do just as well. I could totally be wrong and I admit that I don't have the best knowledge of the UMAC. I am just agreeing with what I have heard in seasons past, and will most likely continue to hold the same belief until I see otherwise.

[BaseballFan]

I still don't know how you can measure a team's success in that conference until they are proven in a regional setting. Their numbers are incredible as a team, I don't disagree with that. I just want to see how they fare in their non-conference schedule this year. I feel that if you put any average MIAC team in that conference they do just as well. I could totally be wrong and I admit that I don't have the best knowledge of the UMAC. I am just agreeing with what I have heard in seasons past, and will most likely continue to hold the same belief until I see otherwise.

I would have to strongly disagree. BLC played 3 very close games against Hamline and Carleton, going 1-2. They also beat scholastica once and a strong RPI team. Definately this year will show how they match up against the region better than last year but if you ask anyone who saw them play will say that they can play with everyone in the region.  You can probably take the top 4 in MIAC and do just as well as BLC. Normally the UMAC isnt much but bethany has put together a solid team this year.

Their 11 games against the MIAC and 3 against CSS should show how good they really are

[BigPoppa]

Hamline and Carleton are not regional powers. If Bethany wants to be considered a regional contender, they need to beat regional contenders consistently (UST, St. Olaf, St. Scholastica, Stevens Point, Whitewater, Oshkosh, etc...). Simply winning a ton of games in the UMAC (which is a terrible baseball conference except for a great CSS and a bit above average Bethany) is not going to do it for them. If they did not get in last year with their sparkling record and St. Norbert did at 19-12 based on strength of schedule, then Bethany needs to work on building its schedule with contenders.

Both Bethany and Pacific Lutheran were left out last year after stellar seasons for team with better SOSs. I think the committee spoke loud and clear last year as to what they want to see for an at-large bid.

[biggio34]

I still don't know how you can measure a team's success in that conference until they are proven in a regional setting. Their numbers are incredible as a team, I don't disagree with that. I just want to see how they fare in their non-conference schedule this year. I feel that if you put any average MIAC team in that conference they do just as well. I could totally be wrong and I admit that I don't have the best knowledge of the UMAC. I am just agreeing with what I have heard in seasons past, and will most likely continue to hold the same belief until I see otherwise.

I was in no way trying to say that Bethany has proven anything regionally or that they are a regional contender... yet.  They still have a long way to go to be considered in that conversation.  I noticed that they did strengthen their non conference schedule this year, so as BaseballFan said, this year will show what they are made of. 

[Bronko7]

Bethany will score with anyone in the country, the question with them will be how will their pitching be? The Dorris kid does extremely well against the UMAC schedule, but did little against the likes of CSS, so we'll have to see what he can do against Olaf, CSS, Buena Vista. I did see on their website that they got some transfers in though to help on the bump. So we shall see if some added depth on the mound will eliminate some of the BAD losses they took last year that cost them a bid! CSS will have their hands full for sure.

[jmbaseball06]

Bethany will score with anyone in the country, the question with them will be how will their pitching be? The Dorris kid does extremely well against the UMAC schedule, but did little against the likes of CSS, so we'll have to see what he can do against Olaf, CSS, Buena Vista. I did see on their website that they got some transfers in though to help on the bump. So we shall see if some added depth on the mound will eliminate some of the BAD losses they took last year that cost them a bid! CSS will have their hands full for sure.

Again, having never seen Bethany Lutheran play, I still find it hard to say that they can score with anyone in the country. I feel like that's a pretty big stretch being that you have to consider that their numbers come in the UMAC. And also, if they score with anyone in the country the tournament committee didn't seem to agree last year, otherwise they should have made an at-large bid.

[biggio34]

Bethany will score with anyone in the country, the question with them will be how will their pitching be? The Dorris kid does extremely well against the UMAC schedule, but did little against the likes of CSS, so we'll have to see what he can do against Olaf, CSS, Buena Vista. I did see on their website that they got some transfers in though to help on the bump. So we shall see if some added depth on the mound will eliminate some of the BAD losses they took last year that cost them a bid! CSS will have their hands full for sure.

Again, having never seen Bethany Lutheran play, I still find it hard to say that they can score with anyone in the country. I feel like that's a pretty big stretch being that you have to consider that their numbers come in the UMAC. And also, if they score with anyone in the country the tournament committee didn't seem to agree last year, otherwise they should have made an at-large bid.

I think what Bronko7 is trying to say is that their offense is respectable and could hang in there with other offenses in the region or country.  That doesn't however mean that the team overall can hang with the best teams.  The question marks for Bethany come in their starting rotation, bullpen, and in the field.  If this team can consistently make plays and has improved its level of pitching, they are right up there and should be considered as a contender for a bid come May.

And you are correct to completely disrespect the UMAC, it doesn't deserve any respect.  But that doesn't mean that Bethany isn't a decently legit squad.

[Just Bill]

2010 NAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Rockford, 131 (5)
2. Aurora, 124 (2)
    CUC, 124 (4)
4. CUW, 104
5. Edgewood, 97
6. Benedictine, 89 (1)
7. Marian, 71
8. Dominican, 65
9. Lakeland, 52
10. MSOE, 34
11. WLC, 33
12. Maranatha, 12

Full story: http://northernac.org/releases/2010/2010_02/20100219b.html

[BaseballFan]

Hamline and Carleton are not regional powers. If Bethany wants to be considered a regional contender, they need to beat regional contenders consistently (UST, St. Olaf, St. Scholastica, Stevens Point, Whitewater, Oshkosh, etc...). Simply winning a ton of games in the UMAC (which is a terrible baseball conference except for a great CSS and a bit above average Bethany) is not going to do it for them. If they did not get in last year with their sparkling record and St. Norbert did at 19-12 based on strength of schedule, then Bethany needs to work on building its schedule with contenders.

Both Bethany and Pacific Lutheran were left out last year after stellar seasons for team with better SOSs. I think the committee spoke loud and clear last year as to what they want to see for an at-large bid.

In no way was I justifying Hamline and Carleton were regional powers but placed 3rd and 4th in the MIAC.

[OshDude]

Little more than a week until some intriguing in-region February openers at the Dome.
2/24 St. Olaf vs. Buena Vista
2/25 Bethel vs. Northwestern (MN)
2/26 Macalester vs. Wartburg
2/28 Carleton vs. Bethany
Others of interest:
2/27 Coe vs. Wash U @ St. Louis
2/28 Coe vs. Fontbonne @ St. Louis

SOC has a particularly important opener. BV should be a good test.
Hoping potential All-American James Murrey starts for Mac. Will Mac finish top four in the MIAC for the first time since 2000? I don't see why not.
Bethany gets its hyped season underway against a good team.
Coe vs. Wash U could be important come Central regional rankings time. If it gets played, that is.

St. John's also opens today vs. Concordia-St. Paul. I didn't mention it before because it's not in-region. But why I am mentioning it is because SJU will provide live stats and audio (MN Sports Network) – our first taste of live MW baseball, unless of course you're lucky enough to catch SOC vs. BVU live at the Dome tonight at 9:45. Nothing like getting to bed at about 4 a.m. after a DH on a school night ...

The SJU DH starts at 12:15 p.m. Link to live coverage.

EDIT: The MSBN will also carry the Bethel vs. Northwestern games tomorrow night at 9:45.

[BigPoppa]

I actually considered attending the BV/STO games tonight, but I think I'll be in bed before the first pitch.

[BaseballFan]

Tonights the first big set of games in the Midwest with CSS and St. Thomas playing a DH at 6 PM

[BaseballFan]

0--0 between CSS and Thomas in bottom of 4

[BaseballFan]

0--0 between CSS and Thomas in bottom of 4

Saints up 3-0 after 4 innings