BB: LL: Liberty League

[BBFan62]

Brian Chudy also played in the PGCBL, for the Watertown Wizards. He looked really sharp. At one of my sons games I sat behind a Red Sox scout who was clocking him, he topped out at 92 and had great stuff.

Skidmore is putting a new infield in with full basepath cutouts.

scscoach,
Yes, I saw that Chudy had a great summer. There should be some great pitching match ups next season in the LL!
Rochester has a brand new, all turf field. This might eliminate the number of rain outs UR has faced over the last two years. We've had the most games canceled due to inclement weather than anyone in the league. The field looks fantastic. A light, steady rain fell during the fall game but we were able to get both games in. That would not have happened in the past/ The field. along with the turf (infield as well as outfield) also has new drainage. Other than this being the final season for my son, I can't wait for the season to begin.

[AlleyCat]

Liberty League Pre-Season Poll
1. St Lawrence - Everybody back, lost a couple good arms
2. Skidmore - always tough down the stretch, Rudman a big loss
3. Rensselaer - very young, pitching questionable
4. Rochester - tough Ace, looks young
5. Union - getting better every year
6. Clarkson - 2 big loses, Kinney & Coleman
7. Vassar - plays everyone tough, could be a top 4 team if they win the close ones

Just my thoughts - anyone else 

[BBFan62]

Liberty League Pre-Season Poll
1. St Lawrence - Everybody back, lost a couple good arms
2. Skidmore - always tough down the stretch, Rudman a big loss
3. Rensselaer - very young, pitching questionable
4. Rochester - tough Ace, looks young
5. Union - getting better every year
6. Clarkson - 2 big loses, Kinney & Coleman
7. Vassar - plays everyone tough, could be a top 4 team if they win the close ones

Just my thoughts - anyone else 

Allycat,
Glad to see some life on the boards!
You don't have RIT listed, but I think they'll finish low again, but could play a spoiler role. I actually printed out all the 2012 rosters and started going through them.
I have pretty much the same prediction. SLU will be just as tough due to the fact they have all the top hitters back. That's 7 players where the smallest BA is .333. They did lose Conde and Donaldson (both sub 3 ERA's), but only 11 starts, as Donaldson was all relief.
Skidmore- lost Rudman and Lowry, but have everyone else.
Rochester will have a young team. They need their 3 senior hurlers to repeat or improve over last year. LeSuer transferred to RPI, which will help RPI. Rochester improved at some positions and will have one of the best outfields.
RPI lost 10 guys, including a couple of impact guys. Still, they will be right there.
All in all, I could go with either SLU or Skidmore at the top spot, with RPI or Rochester number 3. I may change my mind after I finish my analysis, but this is how I see it. Strictly my unprofessional feeling!

[AlleyCat]

Sorry for forgetting about RIT. Hopefully more people respond. Let's get ready for some baseball!!!!!

[LLbaseball]

Pre-season poll came out yesterday:
1. St. Lawrence
2. RPI
3. Skidmore
4. Rochester
5. Union
6. Clarkson
7. Vassar
8. RIT

I'd say its about how I see it.  I'm not sure that RPI will be a top 4 team, they lost a lot.  Also, I think Vassar could make a push this year.  A lot of 1 run losses last year.  I know they brought in a solid freshman class.... at a tough place to recruit. (My son loved the coach and the team, but it was too weird of a campus!)  Skidmore is always tough and I think that Union is better (good players returning).  RIT will probably struggle again.  Difficult transition to the LL.  I'm ready for some baseball!

[BBFan62]

Pre-season poll came out yesterday:
1. St. Lawrence
2. RPI
3. Skidmore
4. Rochester
5. Union
6. Clarkson
7. Vassar
8. RIT
I'd say its about how I see it.  I'm not sure that RPI will be a top 4 team, they lost a lot.  Also, I think Vassar could make a push this year.  A lot of 1 run losses last year.  I know they brought in a solid freshman class.... at a tough place to recruit. (My son loved the coach and the team, but it was too weird of a campus!)  Skidmore is always tough and I think that Union is better (good players returning).  RIT will probably struggle again.  Difficult transition to the LL.  I'm ready for some baseball!

LLBaseball:

Vassar did play everyone tough and could be a dark horse. Even though RPI lost a lot they still have at least 3 quality arms and 4 guys who hit between .319 - .390.
Vassar beat everyone except Rochester at least 1 game. Two of the games against Rochester were cancelled. They only lost 1 of their top 7 bats and 3 of their top 4 pitchers returning Frankel (2.45 ERA) and  Mrlik (2.73 ERA) should get many more inning than they got last year and will be tough on teams.

RPI lost a lot but the only note worthy hitter was LaVigne (.405). Rio (.390) and Erickson (.292) are seniors this year. RPI's 3 top hurlers return. They did lose 6 hurlers to graduation but have the returnees to challenge anyone.

Skidmore lost Rudman and Lowry but are still loaded, on the mound and at the plate.

SLU is definitely the team to beat with that loaded lineup and 3 quality arms leading the way.

As it is every year, who knows how the newbies will perform? That is always teh question, not fully answered until we hear the official "play ball"!

Speaking of which, opening March 1? I doubt it, but who knows? Maybe Mother Nature will become a baseball fan this year!

[airball55]

I wouldn't sleep on Clarkson.  They lost two really good players, but, that was it.  They should pitch just fine and that trip is always a tough one.  I can't put Rochester up there yet, they have to prove it.  I agree with Union and Vassar as well on the improve.  Top to bottom, this league is very deep, it isn't like it used to be (early 2000's) with RPI, Clarkson and Skidmore, then pretty much everyone else.  St. Lawrence will be good.  I can see Rochester improving, new field, etc.. they just haven't been able to get over the hump, but, they do have a very good number one arm.  I am a bit surprised that RIT struggles as much as they do.. but I too see them at the bottom.  When does Bard come in?  Do they even have baseball?

[BBFan62]

I wouldn't sleep on Clarkson.  They lost two really good players, but, that was it.  They should pitch just fine and that trip is always a tough one.  I can't put Rochester up there yet, they have to prove it.  I agree with Union and Vassar as well on the improve.  Top to bottom, this league is very deep, it isn't like it used to be (early 2000's) with RPI, Clarkson and Skidmore, then pretty much everyone else.  St. Lawrence will be good.  I can see Rochester improving, new field, etc.. they just haven't been able to get over the hump, but, they do have a very good number one arm.  I am a bit surprised that RIT struggles as much as they do.. but I too see them at the bottom.  When does Bard come in?  Do they even have baseball?

Airball55,
Bard does have a team; their Head Coach came from Rochester. They start LL play next season.
I don't want to suggest any slight to Clarkson. They did lose their big bat, but their other 5 big bats come back, plus 2 more hitting .292. They are replacing 9 starts total on the mound, and Chudy will be very tough this year.
I think 4th place will come down to the wire, just like last year.
What might make a difference is hitting. Last year Rochester was  number 2 in ERA but dead last (.255) in team hitting.
If you look at team stats you'll find:
Team                   BA           OPP BA        Avg RS           Team ERA        Fld%     
St. Lawrence      .330         .279             6.38                3.73              .961         
RPI                     .300         .285             5.38                5.45              .951
Skidmore           .304         .282              5.88                4.90              .950
Rochester          .255         .265             4.04                 4.42             .957
Clarkson            .300         .300             5.58                 5.53             .964
Union                .292          .286             4.49                 4.72             .958
Vassar              .305          .312              5.71                5.89             .964
RIT                    .271          .339             4.10                 6.95             .942

So, now my brain hurts! Rochester lost 14 players from last year, including 5 to graduation. Their pitching staff will be anchored by their 3 senior hurlers and will need to count on a couple of freshmen to step in. Their Junior arms are healthy and should make a big difference if they hold out. The main problem for Rochester last year was hitting, as evidenced by the .255 BA. However, they held opponents to .265, best in the league. Get those extra couple of hits and a tweak of the defense, and UR should be back in the playoffs. But, top to bottom, it should be a competitive year and, as least on paper, I don't see anyone running away with the title. It should be a wire to wire battle.           

[BBFan62]

It's snowing hard in Chicago...........I know it's heading towards NY. After looking at the weather forecast I guess we need to be content with starting the season March 10 in Florida

[BBFan62]

Hats off to RIT on their 3-1 start to this year, including a mighty impressive win over #25 Farmingdale State. As I mentioned earlier, I think this will be a tight race! And, at least somebody from the LL has been able to start play. Our games are wiped out this weekend, so we'll have to wait for Florida and March 10

[nyy2344nyy]

I wouldn't sleep on Clarkson.  They lost two really good players, but, that was it.  They should pitch just fine and that trip is always a tough one.  I can't put Rochester up there yet, they have to prove it.  I agree with Union and Vassar as well on the improve.  Top to bottom, this league is very deep, it isn't like it used to be (early 2000's) with RPI, Clarkson and Skidmore, then pretty much everyone else.  St. Lawrence will be good.  I can see Rochester improving, new field, etc.. they just haven't been able to get over the hump, but, they do have a very good number one arm.  I am a bit surprised that RIT struggles as much as they do.. but I too see them at the bottom.  When does Bard come in?  Do they even have baseball?

Bard has a team that will join the Liberty League next season.  Coach played and coached at UR and just won the first 2 games played since 1937.  I think it will be a while before they will be competing at a high level in the Liberty League.  Starting a program from the ground up, they don't yet have a home field on campus, supposed to be built sometime this year?  The league is growing, which is always a good sign.

[BBFan62]

Last day of Florida baseball, then back to the Tundra   Looking at the 10 day Rochester weather forecast it does not look promising!

Any thoughts on the season now that everyone has gotten games in? Even though the Yellowjackets are 3-4 heading into the game today, it has been very encouraging. So, let the fun begin!

[airball55]

It's early, but again it looks very balanced.  RPI stand out a bit with a nice win comfortably over Brockport.  RIT is off to a decent start but the schedule strength isn't all that impressive.  They too beat Brockport.  St. Lawrence had a nice finish to their trip.  Hard to project early as teams play a lot in a short amount of time which hurts pitching depth.  RPI at 7-2 has to be the most encouraging of the starts for the clubs, with both losses against high profile in region programs in games that were tight, Farmingdale and Cortland.

[strike3]

RPI looks to have solid hitting, fielding and pitching this year. Got contribution fom many sources. Lost many last year but younger players stepping up. Good
momentum coming out of spring training.

[John McGraw]

Last day of Florida baseball, then back to the Tundra   Looking at the 10 day Rochester weather forecast it does not look promising!

Any thoughts on the season now that everyone has gotten games in? Even though the Yellowjackets are 3-4 heading into the game today, it has been very encouraging. So, let the fun begin!

Weather may not be as much of a factor this year with lights and synthetic turf at Towers Field.