BB: LL: Liberty League

[AlleyCat]

News on the street is that RIT and Bard are the only 2 given offers.

[dom]

It does not appear that Bard fields a baseball team.  Would they be starting a baseball program, or simply participating in LL for their other sports?

[BaseB13]

I heard a similar rumor Alley.  Apparently the league may have had similar thoughts as myself. 

[John McGraw]

It does not appear that Bard fields a baseball team.  Would they be starting a baseball program, or simply participating in LL for their other sports?

I definitely cannot see baseball at Bard. It'd most likely be for other sports only.

[spectator123]

Any insights from fall ball, recruiting, transfers etc on this year.
Is it the same four teams this year at the LL tournament?

[AlleyCat]

I would think that Rochester, Skidmore and RPI would be back. Clarkson was real strong last year as people could see from the their run in the LL tourney and the upset of Cortland in the first round of the NCAA. A run like that could really take the program to a new level. They did lose a lot of talented kids and Austin Pitkin stood up and took the team on his shoulders in post season. Someone like him will be tough to replace. Rochester is always tough and I'm sure the staff brought in some great new faces. Skidmore is always tough with the brand of ball they play and will make it tough for anyone playing them, especially in the LL tourney. RPI will be tough with many returning hitters and their key pitchers.

Just my take. 4th spot will be up for grabs, but my money would be on Clarkson or St lawrence.

[BoomerIL]

43 days until "first pitch" for Rochester in Florida.  Yah-who-o-o-o-o-o!!!!!

[spectator123]

43 days until "first pitch" for Rochester in Florida.  Yah-who-o-o-o-o-o!!!!!

D3 New York preview has RPI as the team to beat in the LL this year because of their returning depth both pitching and hitting. Probably a fair projection until we see how the others (Clarkson, Skidmore and Rochester) step up.  Clarkson and Rochester need to replace some arms. They didn't give any love to Vassar or Union and look to St Lawrence as a spoiler.

As a Rochester fan I hope the addition of pitching/catching Coach Dawes can help solidify a young pitching staff and show the Liberty League and the New York Region that Rochester has continually improved the team to be a solid contender for a spot in the regional. It seems like the only way for Rochester to get to the Region is to win the LL tournament. We do play Cortland, Ithaca, SJF (2), Brockport, Keuka and RIT in region but I don't know if that is enough to get a bid even if we manage well against those teams. With the Liberty League at 24 games and the UAA taking up six games it's tough to get more in-region games to compete.

[AlleyCat]

I think that with the strength the LL showed last year with 2 of the 3 final teams in the New York regional being from the LL it should provide more of an opportunity for the league to get more than one team in again as long as they take care of business in the league and in other in region games. Rochester should have gotten a bid at least one of the past 2 seasons. They are a very good team with good pitching depth and great all around talent. The four game set each weekend prepares the teams for a regional atmosphere and makes teams use more than 3 pitchers each weekend. I believe that the LL will become a more powerful league in the future with the coaches and the players they are bringing in.

Just my thoughts.....

[airball55]

The U of R message board.  Win a post season game and then lobby for regional bids.  Coach Reina is a great guy, good coach!!  But for some reason the post season has not been kind to the Jackets in what is considered a weak league.  St. Lawrence is a good sleeper pick.  RPI stands out with the return of most of their weapons.  Clarkson can hit.  It was nice seeing the league do well in the regional last year.

[AlleyCat]

I disagree with the statement that the LL is a weak league. They have had multiple teams represent the league where as the SUNYAC is usually the Cortland show. As is the E8 the Ithaca show. The LL teams always win some games in the regional and although RPI is the only team to make it to the regional final or the world series, they still make a pretty good showing. I agree that Uof R needs to step it up in the post season. If they win a game or two in the LL tournament the last 2 years they should have made it.

Just my thoughts.....

[anonymous234]

Looking at RPI's roster, outfielder Nic Marchese isn't on it.  I'm 95% sure he was a junior last year and they haven't given his number 10 to someone else... Is this just a mistake or is he off the team for some reason? Any insight would be great.

[John McGraw]

Looking at RPI's roster, outfielder Nic Marchese isn't on it.  I'm 95% sure he was a junior last year and they haven't given his number 10 to someone else... Is this just a mistake or is he off the team for some reason? Any insight would be great.

Good question. Marchcese was on the list of returning players RPI turned in with its' regional preview/Top 25 questionnaire. As far as I know he does have remaining eligibility so there could be any number of factors why he was taken off.

[AlleyCat]

I believe it has something to do with his family. He is not on the roster and will not be for the year. I think he was a sophomore .last year. RPI is always deep on the offensive side, but losing a guy like that could hurt.  It must have been something that came up late if he was included in the preseason information.

[AlleyCat]

Do anyone have some predictions on the LL this year?