BB: LL: Liberty League

[VictoryLane]

I don't see many Freshmen on the team  mostly pitchers.   But maybe i'm not looking at the right roster.

The WR in football Vanderstyne and Kahovec will be the starters (Victor boys I think) 8), So i don't know where you see the competition coming maybe at catcher.  All the other positions except for 1b have guys returning.

Veneema should again be the ace.

I still think RPI is too strong.

[anonymous234]

Boomer, it doesn't matter how well Rochester plays against Cortland and Ithaca and St John Fisher unless they play well against them in the NCAA tournament, and to do that, they need to beat their conference foes first.  Also, you can't blame an anemic offense on freshmen playing because Skidmore would start 6+ freshmen a game and still hit over .300, not to mention the plattsburgh game where they started 8 freshmen and smoked plattsburgh.  Freshmen can still hit.

BaseB13, I like your thoughts.  Seems as though we agree on a few counts. 

[anonymous234]

NYBB, I think you have a man crush on McEaneny.

[BaseB13]

Boomer.. Perhaps you enjoy playing competitive games non league but those games are pretty much meaningless to Rochester's chance to appear in regionals.. Regionals is the first step in competing for a national championship which I am assuming most teams play for.  How your team performs against Cortland's #5, Brockport's #5 etc doesn't mean much.  Facing midweek starters is not indicative of how a team is going to perform in tournament play.  As for St John Fisher and Ithaca, being independent teams, it's in their best interest to stack their pitching against their best opponents each week.  So often times they can save a top pitcher to throw on a Wednesday against a solid squad (Such as a U of R), and then throw their #5 on the weekend versus a Utica.  So I dont think those games are indicative of much either. This is why a midweek Ithaca vs Cortland battle is somewhat meaningless if Cortland has to play the likes of a Brockport, Oneonta, or Plattsburgh before or after that game.  Cortland's best will be saved for the confernece games.  So back to the Liberty League, I am by no means saying Rochester doesn't have a chance.  Their #1 and #2 are solid, however, a young freshmen laden team from last year needs to step it up.  Other teams such as RPI and Skidmore had plenty of young guys who came in and contributed in their first year.  It's quite possible any team could bring in a bunch of freshmen the way Skidmore did last year and have them contribute significantly and run the table.  If Rochester can inject the bats with some hits then they are defintiely dangerous.  However, I'll believe it when I see it.  I am sure Coach Reina is doing everything he can think of to get the bats going and I don't think the Yellowjackets should be taken lightly, no team should be.  Very interested to see the results of the match up between Skidmore and Rochester in Florida.  You never know with those early season games... Anything can happen...

[NYBB]

lol no man crush.  I played with Pete in HS for the NY Angels sandlot team out of Monroe HS in the Bronx.  We played under NY legend Burt Beagle (RIP) and I watched Pete mash for three years.  We then played against each other in our HS league (IVY Prep) and once again, he mashed.  If people are saying that U of R can't hit, why not let this guy take a few swings?

I think it's ridiculous that some schools don't let pitchers bat.  Pitchers can hit!  Case and point, Tim Hudson is one of Auburn's all time RBIs leader and played CF practically every day he did not pitch. 

I know this isn't HS but for serious; most pitchers were and still are the best BASEBALL players on their teams.  It's not like they lose their abilities once they go from HS to college.  Ridiculous.  I would put a starting college team together with a catcher and 8 pitchers if i could.

[BoomerIL]

VictoryLane....

With respect given to the upper classman, they will probably start.  Your correct. However, you know as well as I do that there is only so much time that can be given to an upper classman if they are not performing.  I'm not saying they can't or won't, I'm saying that hitting will be key as to who plays and who doesn't.

There are players that are "back-ups" that may get playing time, again based upon how the starters are performing.  And as far as RPI being to strong, the only really impressive player I saw last season was Zongol.  UR playing head-to-head with RPI was no problem last season.  The conference tournament became a problem for UR with no hitting, which we all know.  But, don't put RPI on the pedestal yet!

[BoomerIL]

anonymous234....BaseB13....

I totally agree with both of your comments!!  But let me explain why I'm looking at things this way.

Yes, Rochester has to concern themselves with their own conference play inorder to get to, and hopefully win the Liberty League title.  RPI and the others aren't just going to rollover and hand anything to UR.  When I talk about games against Cortland, Brockport, Ithaca, St.John Fisher, I look at the quality of those teams and the fact that UR has to play team.  A tough schedule.  Now you know as well as I do that those teams will not start their best pitchers, or maybe even have all of their starters on the field during those particular games.  Why should they, its Rochester.  I look at the how those games will effect Rochester's team as far as playing ability and overall mental confidence is concerned.  Your probably thinking that I'm getting way to analytical!!!

I learned a long time ago that for an individual to get better at their respective position, or game, no matter what sport, they have to be challenged by better competition.  You learn from these experiences and hopefully make yourself better in the process.  Coach Reina has always looked to play the better teams in a non-conference setting.  UR played against Emory, Wash. U., Brockport, RPI, Ithaca, St.John Fisher last season, and they played well against them.  All conference or nationally ranked teams.  Are they at the same levels?  Most will say no.  Some will say they are not far away from that.  That's the position that I take, not to far away.  Yes, there are roster turnovers every year, but the better quality programs today seem to be more appealing than Rochester, and thats o.k.  Coach Reina is a heck of a good coach and is really building a good, good program.

Yes, I'm at Rochester "homer" and I'm proud of it.  For those kids to be able to play against some of the top DIII programs in the country is exciting for me to hear about if not watch.  Those guys would probably be upset me for saying that, because they feel they can compete and beat anyone of those teams, and they probably will.

JMHO   

[VictoryLane]

Boomer

Two Questions:

When all the guys returning for Rochester (starters with exception of Infurna (sp?).  They have two choices improve organically (via kids getting better in off season) or not improve at all by not having any new names/faces in the lineup.  So they are at interesting point.   (1) Which do  you think they are and what new faces may see time? Any new pitchers that will crack starting rotation? Any power hitters?

(2) What makes you think you guys have done something to improve on last years playoff experience and what makes you think you will ever get by the powerhouse of RPI  Zugol Driemilelr (SP?)? 

Thanks
Victory 

[BaseB13]

Boomer... UR does play a pretty difficult schedule.  I'll give you that.  But I'd say most of the top teams in the conference attempt to play a strong non-league schedule.  UR has an advantage in scheduling this because they're forced to play their UAA schedule which is grueling, no doubt.  Up north, UR schedules Ithaca, Cortland, Fisher, RIT, and Brockport.. Sold non league schedule..
RPI does similar scheduling with Plattsburgh, William Paterson,  Montclair, Williams, and a Castleton
Skidmore also plays Plattsburgh, Williams, Middlebury, and Castleon (no surprise in the similarities to RPI because their close to eachother)
St Lawrence plays Plattsburgh, Ithaca, RIT, Oswego
etc. etc. I'd say for the most part it appears the teams in the conference scheduling solid in region opponents from other conferences.. However, as I've said before, for the LL especially, these games are not nearly as important because it's going to be incredibly difficult for a LL team to get an at large big now that there are 24 conference games.  It's just extremely difficult to schedule enough quality opponents to sneak in at large.  RPI managed to do it a couple years ago but I'd say they got in more on reputation than their actual strength of schedule.  The expanded regional field does help but in the end it appears the switch to 24 games seems to be a sign that the coaches seem to really want to emphasize the automatic bid for the LL.   

Victory Lane while Boomer ponders your question about Rochester overcoming the "powerhouse" team of RPI, answer this for me.. When was the last time RPI won the conference?  I'd say the answer to that question would be indicative of why Rochester or any other team can overcome this juggernaut you speak of.

[BoomerIL]

VictoryLane....

Since you have already given RPI the conference title for 2008, maybe we should end this conversation?  Nah!!!

While last seasons record speaks for itself, what makes you think that RPI is so superior?  Their pitching, Zongol and Dreimiller?  I have supported Zongol on this website for the simple fact that he was not even mentioned in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper as being a NCAA Division III Player To Watch.  I guess he isn't that special.  But I disagree with that.  He's a very good pitcher.  But let me take it a step or two further.

When RPI came to Rochester for the Liberty League conference games, Zongol pitched a very good game only giving up 3 runs in a 3-0 shutout.  Nice job Joe!  Even though UR hit him pretty hard, the balls were hit to someone.  That to me is the sign of a good pitcher that can keep the ball on the ground, up in the air, or not in play at all.  That's baseball.  The next game saw Dreimiller pitch 4.2 innings giving up 3 runs, Klein going 0.2 innings giving up 7 runs, Opperman going 1.0 inning giving up 2 runs, Napier going 0.2 innings giving up 2 runs, and finally Novick going 1.0 inning giving up 1 run.  Rochester won 15-4.  Now, going into the LL tournament game against Zongol, Joe pitched 8.0 innings giving up 3 runs with Klein pitching 1.0 inning and giving up 0 runs in a 5-3 win over Rochester.  Rochester had seven hits total, all off of Zongol while giving up 10 of their own to RPI.

Please VictoryLane, don't give-up on Rochester yet this coming season.  If they do win the season against Rochester, and even make it to the NCAA tournament, I will humbely admit defeat and give RPI praise, but don't expect UR to roll-over to anyone.  See you in Rochester for the conference championship!!    

[BoomerIL]

BaseB13....

I agree with your post, and thanks for understanding!!  For the most part, all schools do want to play better competition.  As far as getting an "at-large" bid or Pool C bid, it is probably impossible for a Liberty League team to do this.  There are so many quality teams out there that have been in-contention or close to being so in making the NCAA tournament, that with their consistent records year in and year out, are given the respect and benefit of the doubt that they will be strong enough to compete in that environment.  They deserve to be!

I just think that it is better for a team to play better competition anytime they can schedule it.  I do believe that some schools avoid it.

[VictoryLane]

RPI won like 12 regular season titles from 1994 until now.  That is like 12 titles in 15 years.  Whether they win tournament or not unless its a seven game serious it doesn't mean the best team always wins.  Enuff said.


Boomeril - still waiting to hear if Rochester has any new impact players or will it be the same old same old team.

[BoomerIL]

VictoryLane....

Gee Vic, I really don't know what to say.  I guess you have me stumped!!!  Impact player?  Lets see.....nope, still don't have one.  Yeah, I really do, and several, but you know what, when I'm in Troy for the season series, I'll tell you what, I will buy you dinner at ANY place you chose (in the Troy area) if RPI wins the season series.  If UR wins, you buy me dinner!  Sound fair?  Because to me impact players don't always perform, and neither do the (in your opinion, inferior players).  Its the team that wins or loses.  Remember, 'any team on any given day can beat any other team'.  And since you have already given the series, and perhaps the conference title to your beloved RPI, and since your such a RPI "homer" like I'm a Rochester "homer," do we have a wager???

Oh, maybe we can get St. Lawrence, Skidmore, and maybe even some of the other LL teams in on this.

[StarvinMarvin]

I'm gonna throw my two cents in on RPI.  They are a quality opponent for anyone but I believe that their lack of recent post-season success can be attributed to their schedule.  They don't schedule IC and Cortland anymore in the regular season and their spring trip has few quality opponents year in and year out.  Their toughest games come on their weekend trip to Jersey along with some conference games but aside from conference games you need to schedule as many regional type opponents as possible in my opinion.  RPI gets so caught up in wins to secure a Pool B that they fail to gain experience from playing games in a regional type atmosphere during the regular season.  Until they start playing better teams, I feel that they will continue to struggle in the post-season.  Again, just my two cents.

[pavanyks]

Rochester has one exceptional transfer from Fordham.  CF.  He is outstanding in power, speed, and glove.  He should disrupt the of and cause things to juggle around.