BB: LL: Liberty League

[LLbaseballfan]

I'm going to go out on a limb and pick the Saints to win the league this year.  They arguably have the best rotation in the league and their offense seems to be coming together at the right time. 

[airball55]

Gutsy pick.  Not out of the question though.  The trick for them may be just getting in with their last 8 against Skidmore (away) and Clarkson (home and home).  I really have no idea who to pick.  Skidmore, Clarkson and RPI are just so even to me.  I know Skidmore got three of four at Clarkson but that still does not convince me that they are better.  The league is certainly up for grabs.  As for this weekend:

Rochester @ Union:  Split
Slu @ Skidmore: Skidmore 3 of 4
RPI @ Clarkson: Split

It these predictions hold at all it sets of for the tourny to be at RPI this year.  Not usually a surprise, as this has been fairly regular over the past decade. 

[baseballislife]

Some thoughts:

Not giving up on my Jackets just yet (although most seem to have thrown a few shovel fulls of dirt on 'em, haha).  I think they will take at least 3 this weekend.  I would like to say four, but UR has lacked the consistency needed for me to go on that limb. 

I think SLU will be tough over their next few seasons,but might be a year away.  Skidmore's wins over Clarkson were huge and they seemed to catch them at the right time.  Playing at home this weekend, I'm in agreement with airball - 3-1 Skidmore.

Having seen both RPI and Clarkson, I think that RPI may be deeper, but Coleman and Kinney may be the best 1-2 punch in the league.  I'm going 2-2 here as well.

If those predictions hold, the standings with one week left will be:

RPI           12-6
Clarkson   12-8
Skidmore  11-7
UR             9-9
SLU           9-10
Vassar       6-11
Union         6-14

UR has the bye in the final week.  SLU has to play Clarkson.  I have no idea what all the tie-breakers will be with all the rain-outs this year.

[BBFan62]

Some thoughts:

Not giving up on my Jackets just yet (although most seem to have thrown a few shovel fulls of dirt on 'em, haha).  I think they will take at least 3 this weekend.  I would like to say four, but UR has lacked the consistency needed for me to go on that limb. 

I think SLU will be tough over their next few seasons,but might be a year away.  Skidmore's wins over Clarkson were huge and they seemed to catch them at the right time.  Playing at home this weekend, I'm in agreement with airball - 3-1 Skidmore.

Having seen both RPI and Clarkson, I think that RPI may be deeper, but Coleman and Kinney may be the best 1-2 punch in the league.  I'm going 2-2 here as well.

If those predictions hold, the standings with one week left will be:

RPI           12-6
Clarkson   12-8
Skidmore  11-7
UR             9-9
SLU           9-10
Vassar       6-11
Union         6-14

UR has the bye in the final week.  SLU has to play Clarkson.  I have no idea what all the tie-breakers will be with all the rain-outs this year.

BaseBallislife,
I agree - too early to bury the Jackets. IF all the scenarios play out, they could still make the playoffs even if they split! This race is so tight, there is a scenario where even Skidmore could still be eliminated. So, let's just hope everyone gets all their games in.
BTW - the LL board does not have the Rochester/Union DH scheduled for 5/1, they only list the 4/30 DH.

[baseballislife]

Things really tightened up in the LL today with RPI looking like the host for the tourney at this point.  Teams 2-5 all within 1 game of each other and lots of close games played on Saturday.  Big day tomorrow.  A stellar weather forecast (finally).....at least in the capital district, is a welcome change.

[Pitchersmom]

Can someone explain the LL tournament format & schedule? Thanks

[John McGraw]

Can someone explain the LL tournament format & schedule? Thanks

The top four teams make the tournament with the team that finishes in first getting to host the whole shebang. It's a typical double-elimination format with 1-4, 2-3 the first day.

[DefenseWins]

I think the St Lawerence v Clarkson series and the Union v Vassar Series have playoff implications. Correct me if I am wrong. If St. L is to drop 3/4 to Clarkson and either Union or Vassar Sweeps they would get in? I think Vassar would be tied with them in the win column. Tie breakers? Win % then.......?

[baseballislife]

Clarkson taking 3 of 4 could actually put UR in as I have it on good authority that winning % is the decider this year.  UR is currently only a half game behind SLU.

If either Union or Vassar sweeps AND Clarkson takes at least 3 from SLU, then the Union/Vassar team would leap into the 4 spot, passing both UR and SLU.  Vassar or Union must sweep....3 will not be enough.

Every team in the league is still alive.  There will be a lot of scoreboard watching this weekend!  Lots of parity in the LL this year.

[dougan1257]

Did UR blow their chance by not playing 20 league games?

[baseballislife]

No.  Winning % is the standard this year due to the ridiculous weather.  I'm pretty sure they would have loved to play the Skidmore series at home as scheduled.  As it was, they had to travel to Albany for 2 of them (split) and lost the other 2 off the schedule for good.

They tried to play the RPI games 3 & 4 (split the first 2), even went into the next weekday to try and get them in.  The snow and rain prevented them from accomplishing even that.

The Vassar series was washed out in Vassar on day 2.

Not sure what else they could have done.  Let's hope this season's weather is the exception and not the rule!

[BoomerIL]

The spring weather in New York is always a factor for getting games in, especially the Liberty League games.  Besides the weather, the Yellowjackets have had some injuries this year that really affected the team line-up and chemistry.  Not to mention poor hitting, some noted fielding, and a increase in team ERA.  Again, some of this is due in part to injury.

I'm not saying that the injured players would have made a difference, but it certainly would have helped.  The rookies learned the hard way by being cast into starting roles that by no way matched their high school experiences.  Even if they were a "big fish in a small pond."

These kids hit 64 doubles and 7 triples according to league stats.  Pretty good.  Unfortunately they left 266 runners on base.  The most in the league.  And when you get beat in a 10-1 loss to Vassar and a 5-0 shutout to St. Lawrence, well, having those games lost to weather and then lossing a few games by 1 one run really hurts your chances for the tournament, especially when your conference schedule is finished and other teams control you destiny.

I think that next year will be better once everyone is healthy.  However, the players have to realize that just playing games and not putting forth extra effort on their own to get better doesn't guarantee them success.  The talent level in college is much higher than high school and you can't rest on your laurels.

JMHO

[airball55]

Yes, all teams have injuries.  It is time for the Jackets to put up though.  Year after year on here has been full of excuses.  They certainly have talent, but as springs get warmer the Jackets have tended to fade.  This is not out of disrespect, JMHO.

Looks like the Engineers host the tourny again.  I will be picking against them though.  Not sure who yet.

[DefenseWins]

Plourde get Coach of the year this year? Between them and UR they lost the most talent by far and still have made the playoffs yet again and have had a really good season. I think it has to be either Plourde or Steffan.

[airball55]

You could make a case for both.  RPI always has talent, I don't think there resurgence is much a surprise more than last year being a major disappointment.  For that reason, if I had to pick it would be Plourde at Skidmore, unless they get beat up this weekend against RPI.