BB: LL: Liberty League

[BoomerIL]

Everyone does not hate Rochester.  Personally I thought it was a joke that St. John Fisher was ranked behind Rochester after sweeping them this season.  I posted this on the other board... I would go this way:

1. Cortland
2. St. John fisher
3. Rochester
4. Skidmore
5. Oneonta
6. Plattsburgh

A bit of a change taking into consideration yesterday's games.  Plattsburgh's quality of wins out of conference along with Skidmore's drops them.  I also refuse to put the college of Staten Island or Farmingdale in the top 6. 

I know everyone doesn't hate Rochester, its just difficult to see these kids have a tough time getting credit for their success this season.  Yes, their bats have fallen silent the last five games, or at least haven't found the openings through the infield or outfield gaps.  The bats are in a slump.  They're pressing and they know it.  They can see that they're not far from hosting the LL tournament, and even possibly going to the regionals for the first time.  They really want it badly, and the next few games will give us an indicator as to how things will pan out.  Those losses to Skidmore and St. John Fisher were big.  Both good programs, but they felt they should have at least split the series with each.

[BoomerIL]

Union gets a split despite scoring one run all day, and Rochester and Clarkson will likely have to play 2-1/2 games tomorrow.

Does this mean SLU-RPI game 2 was weather-affected as well? Remember, that's day 2 of that series, so if they don't finish their set that's a HUGE PROBLEM for the Saints.

According to information given following the suspension of yesterdays rain delayed second game between Rochester and Clarkson, the game will be finished today.  They are scrapping the 7 inning game and playing the 9 inning game.  So, it will be 1-1/2 games today.  Should UR win both, it appears that they would host the Liberty League tournament.  If they don't win both today, then they would need help from other teams in order for them to still host the tournament. 

According to yesterdays story on UR's web site, 2-1/2 games are to be played today between Rochester and Clarkson.  This is wrong information according to a parent who was at the games yesterday.  According to the umpires, NCAA rules prohibit 3 games being played in a day.  So, the second game from yesterday will be finished, and a nine inning game will be the second game for today.  I guess until it is made official from an umpire or coach, we have to wait and see if this is the case.

The parent that was at the games yesterday said that when the rains came, the game was stopped, no one came out to cover the mound or field.  The rains lasted approximately 45 minutes according to the parent.  The rains became a little drizzle, and the umpires and coaches stood on the field in the drizzle for another 40 minutes or so and decided to suspend the game, according to the parents information.  The field could have been worked to get it ready again for play, but no effort was made to do so.  If the mound and field were covered immediately, the game could have been finished, according to the parent thar was there.

So now what happens?  How are the final league standings affected by both Rochester and Clarkson having one less conference game played??

[Truthfinder]

Wow, this could get messy.

Rochester probably gets the No. 1 seed anyway. Let's say they lose the 2:15 p.m. game today and finish 18-5. Skidmore would need to win out to get to 18-6 -- but if that happened, the Thoroughbreds could certainly scream holy hell about possibly getting hosed.

Alas, let's stick to what's more relevant and probable.

Let's say Clarkson loses the 2:15 p.m. game today. They'd be 11-8, a half-game up on 11-9 SLU and RPI. Wouldn't this throw tiebreakers into a huge mess? I mean, let's say SLU and Clarkson split next weekend. Could a 13-10 Clarkson team get into the LL tourney over a 13-11 SLU team?

[pudge27]

Interesting no one noted this:
On Thursday, April 19, D3baseball.com released its regional rankings

New York Region In-Region Record Overall Record
1. Cortland State 22-3-1 27-7-1
2. Skidmore 17-6 22-8
3. Plattsburgh State 18-7 28-8
4. Rochester 25-7 26-9
5. St. John Fisher 20-10 21-10
6. Staten Island 24-9 26-9

That has Skidmore ahead of Rochester.  If things stay similar to this, can Skidmore gain an at-large bid? (course the loss to Union doesn't help Skidmore. Unacceptable. Maybe Rochester makes up ground with the 2.5 games they will be playing against Clarkson. Real excited to see how the league shakes up)

That ranking makes no sense to me!!  Sure, Skidmore takes three from Rochester, but to be ahead of Rochester in the poll??  If it were RPI that had UR's record and Skidmore took three from RPI, RPI would still be ahead of Skidmore in the poll.  Everyone knows there is no love for Rochester.  You saw that in last weeks poll dropping UR completely out of the top 25.  Those type of conference losses happen all across the country with other teams, but because those"elite" teams that make it to the regionals each year, or almost each year, get the benefit of the doubt.  There is too much emphasis put on past performance.  And how can the pollster voters know what teams are like from coast-to-coast if they don't watch every game??  Word-of-mouth recommendations from fellow voters??  Really?? 

In lieu of some high tech algorithm, I think that Skidmore taking 3 from UR is a pretty darn good reason to rate them ahead of them.  UR really can't complain at all.  Didn't you also drop 2 to Fisher and are ranked ahead of them?  This ranking is a gift.  I don't think that most people in NY have a dislike for Rochester, but you are putting many of us on a fast track in that direction. 

I'd like to give an opinion on the national rankings.  This is just an opinion and I don't really know nothing from nothing.  Keep in mind that this is D3 BASEBALL.  The peope who vote can't possibly see everyone play.  And YES, you DO have to develop a good reputation before you find yourself consistently in the top 25.  I can tell you from some experience that you shouldn't expect to be in the top 25 unless you've at least MADE regionals for a couple of years running, no matter how good you THINK you are.  If someone in Wisconsin has a vote and has to choose between UR or Skidmore vs RPI or Ithaca or Cortland, guess who gets the vote.

The bottom line if you think a certain team is very talented and they can't seem to beat anybody after mid April, they ain't that good!!!  If UR can come out and win their league tourney and make it to regionals, that's great.  Do it again next year and then you'll have that reputation to expect a good ranking.  Until then, just beat people on the field and park the conspiracy theories. 

[airball55]

I think that is pretty well said.  I have Rochester ahead of Skidmore also because they are ahead of them in their league.  The conversation on here is meant to be fun, informational and possibly speculative.  But, some people have a lot more invested in particular programs to look at things from an unbiased perspective.  Cortland gets what they get because they have been good since pretty much the civil war!!  No one outside of our region even cares about Rochester, Fisher, Skidmore, etc... because they are not consistently in the picture.  When that day comes, then, the Jacket fans can complain abou tlack of respect.

[trider400t]

I think that is pretty well said.  I have Rochester ahead of Skidmore also because they are ahead of them in their league.  The conversation on here is meant to be fun, informational and possibly speculative.  But, some people have a lot more invested in particular programs to look at things from an unbiased perspective.  Cortland gets what they get because they have been good since pretty much the civil war!!  No one outside of our region even cares about Rochester, Fisher, Skidmore, etc... because they are not consistently in the picture.  When that day comes, then, the Jacket fans can complain abou tlack of respect.

Rochester lost three times to Skidmore.  The NCAA Committee has not ignored that.  I would worry more about the way the team is hitting.  The pitching is already a question mark and guess what?  Pitching is what counts in league tournaments and NCAA regional play and it looks like Rochester has none.

[BBFan62]

I think that is pretty well said.  I have Rochester ahead of Skidmore also because they are ahead of them in their league.  The conversation on here is meant to be fun, informational and possibly speculative.  But, some people have a lot more invested in particular programs to look at things from an unbiased perspective.  Cortland gets what they get because they have been good since pretty much the civil war!!  No one outside of our region even cares about Rochester, Fisher, Skidmore, etc... because they are not consistently in the picture.  When that day comes, then, the Jacket fans can complain abou tlack of respect.

Rochester lost three times to Skidmore.  The NCAA Committee has not ignored that.  I would worry more about the way the team is hitting.  The pitching is already a question mark and guess what?  Pitching is what counts in league tournaments and NCAA regional play and it looks like Rochester has none.

Well, that's the type of thinking we like. Our pitching just might surprise some people. I'm not worried about the pitching; or defense is usually at a level that it compliments the pitching. Some of our key hitters have been in a mini slump........if they come out of it, now that they know they'll host the conference tourney, it could be a fun ride.

[URFlorida]

Well that's why we play the games ... if it were that easy to predict the outcomes, there would be no need to play the games.  I have to "reluctantly" agree ... until Rochester wins games when it counts, they are "just" a good team.  In order to claim "greatness" ... we have to win some playoff games.  ps: I'm "certain" that we will turn some heads this year in the playoffs ... and for years to come (but that's just my prediction). 

[nyy2344nyy]

Well that's why we play the games ... if it were that easy to predict the outcomes, there would be no need to play the games.  I have to "reluctantly" agree ... until Rochester wins games when it counts, they are "just" a good team.  In order to claim "greatness" ... we have to win some playoff games.  ps: I'm "certain" that we will turn some heads this year in the playoffs ... and for years to come (but that's just my prediction). 

A good comeback weekend for UR after the Skidmore debacle and now they get to host the conference tournament.  A definate advantage, while the other 4 top teams battle it out in the last conference weekend for the final 3 spots.  Should be a great weekend to watch.

UR has been moving forward over the past few years and if they can get over the end of year and conference tournament issues over the past few years, they may continue on the path to becoming one of the teams others talk about in the NY Region!

[Truthfinder]

So if my math is correct ...

-- Rochester clinches the regular-season title.
-- Skidmore clinches a berth in the tournament, since Clarkson, SLU and RPI all can't get to 14 wins.
-- And everything else is an absolute mess, especially with Clarkson now holding a half-game edge over SLU and RPI.

This is going to be a hell of a weekend coming up.

[spectator123]

I wonder if it could turn out that Rochester and Clarkson might have to play the game...the timing could be a problem. We wouldn't know until Sunday night.

[Truthfinder]

I wonder if it could turn out that Rochester and Clarkson might have to play the game...the timing could be a problem. We wouldn't know until Sunday night.

I foresee no way that happens. The conference has never taken that step, I don't think.

But who knows.

[nyy2344nyy]

So if my math is correct ...

-- Rochester clinches the regular-season title.
-- Skidmore clinches a berth in the tournament, since Clarkson, SLU and RPI all can't get to 14 wins.
-- And everything else is an absolute mess, especially with Clarkson now holding a half-game edge over SLU and RPI.

This is going to be a hell of a weekend coming up.

IF and its a big IF, RPI beats Skidmore 4-0 next weekend, and either Clarkson or St. Lawrence also sweep, Skidmore could be mathematically eliminated.  Not very likely....

So, 3 teams fighting for the last 2 spots is the most likely scenario!

[nyy2344nyy]

I wonder if it could turn out that Rochester and Clarkson might have to play the game...the timing could be a problem. We wouldn't know until Sunday night.

I foresee no way that happens. The conference has never taken that step, I don't think.

But who knows.

I don't think that it would be necessary, because no matter the outcome Rochester would host.  May be an issue if Clarkson is on the outside looking in after next weekend!

[nyy2344nyy]

I wonder if it could turn out that Rochester and Clarkson might have to play the game...the timing could be a problem. We wouldn't know until Sunday night.

I foresee no way that happens. The conference has never taken that step, I don't think.

But who knows.

I don't think that it would be necessary, because no matter the outcome Rochester would host.  May be an issue if Clarkson is on the outside looking in after next weekend!

Does anyone know what the tiebreaker scenarios are?