BB: LL: Liberty League

[BoomerIL]

Well after watching Rochester play a few games in Florida, they still know how to put runs on the board.  With their speed, (they have five legitmate 25 SB players) and with some new faces in the line-up, they should contend again for the Liberty League title.  The pitching has been a concern, but after watching the new freshman, and having two veterans come back from surgery, I really believe that UR has a better shot at getting to the regional tournament than in the past.  They have a depth staff.

Most will say that their schedule is weak, and many say that the New York region is weak, but then who doesn't play a weak team or two.  And what about the schools that may be in a off-cycle or declining year, or two.  The experts will say that the competition was down this year.  But don't give UR any consideration for improving.  Sure, RPI is always the favorite and for good reason.  Clarkson lost a lot from graduation, but Skidmore and St.Lawrance seem to have improved.  And Union or Vassar could hurt them as well.  That's baseball!!

They have some very good arms now, top to bottom, that will surprise many.  Couple that with their aggressive play and hitting, should be an interesting time in the Liberty League and New York state.  JMHO

[AlleyCat]

Boomer
U of R should have gotten a bid at least one of the past two years. The LL is alot stronger than people think. Clarkson showed that last year beating Cortland and their #1 in the regionals last year. Also, RPI has been in the regional final the last 2 years. U of R, RPI and Skidmore( just lost to #2 Wooster in 13) look very strong. Add Clarkson and St Larence and the league should get 2 bids this year if everyone continues to play well. The SUNYAC also looks strong and hopefully those 2 leagues can protect the NY region.

Just my thoughts.....

[airball55]

I think it would be great to see Rochester in the tournament.  They will have to prove that they can do it in the conference tournament first though.  If John Mcgraw reads this, would it be an NCAA record with 5 25 stolen base players on the same team in the same season?? 

Let 's play some games first and if things work out the Jackets will eliminate the post season curse that seems to plague them.

[BoomerIL]

I really wasn't trying to look for any records, just saying that we have speed all through the lineup, with a couple of guys that can crank one every now and then.  Besides, if UR had the big "boomba" hitters, there's no telling how far they could go.  I stiil like their chances with what I have seen coming from their lineup.  And, if the pitching stays healthy, I really believe then can get to the regionals.  Again, time will tell.  They still have to play the games.  JMHO

[BoomerIL]

Big game coming up for Rochester on Wednesday.  Cortland visits UR.  Now If I wanted to speculate, like some do on the SUNYAC board, should Rochester beat Cortland, does that mean that Cortland isn't the power that some people think they are this year?  Personally I feel that Cortland has always been the team to beat in New York, and still is, no matter what others may think.  But, now you have to add RPI to that list.  A-a-a-n-n-n-d-d-d don't forget about Ithaca.

Cortland has been banged around on the SUNYAC board because of how they started this season.  DO NOT MAKE ILL COMMENTS THAT MAY BITE YOU LATER!!  Cortland to me has always been "the team" to beat year in and year out in New York.

So, getting back to the UR vs Cortland game, does Rochester gain more credibility and Cortland lose some?  Again, my personal opinion is that Rochester winning or losing this game doesn't really matter much.  Sure, winning it helps UR in some respects.  BUT, how they the finish the season is much more important.  If they can "get over the hump" by winning the conference tournament, or if not, and getting a Pool C bid, then maybe UR gains the credibility they need for more future credible considerations.

Ah, I love when the misinformed public thinks that baseball is a boring game.  Not so, is it???

[John McGraw]

Big game coming up for Rochester on Wednesday.  Cortland visits UR.  Now If I wanted to speculate, like some do on the SUNYAC board, should Rochester beat Cortland, does that mean that Cortland isn't the power that some people think they are this year?  Personally I feel that Cortland has always been the team to beat in New York, and still is, no matter what others may think.  But, now you have to add RPI to that list.  A-a-a-n-n-n-d-d-d don't forget about Ithaca.

Cortland has been banged around on the SUNYAC board because of how they started this season.  DO NOT MAKE ILL COMMENTS THAT MAY BITE YOU LATER!!  Cortland to me has always been "the team" to beat year in and year out in New York.

So, getting back to the UR vs Cortland game, does Rochester gain more credibility and Cortland lose some?  Again, my personal opinion is that Rochester winning or losing this game doesn't really matter much.  Sure, winning it helps UR in some respects.  BUT, how they the finish the season is much more important.  If they can "get over the hump" by winning the conference tournament, or if not, and getting a Pool C bid, then maybe UR gains the credibility they need for more future credible considerations.

Ah, I love when the misinformed public thinks that baseball is a boring game.  Not so, is it???

How does the weather look for Wednesday? Upstate New York games this time of year usually get rained/snowed out.

[BoomerIL]

Big game coming up for Rochester on Wednesday.  Cortland visits UR.  Now If I wanted to speculate, like some do on the SUNYAC board, should Rochester beat Cortland, does that mean that Cortland isn't the power that some people think they are this year?  Personally I feel that Cortland has always been the team to beat in New York, and still is, no matter what others may think.  But, now you have to add RPI to that list.  A-a-a-n-n-n-d-d-d don't forget about Ithaca.

Cortland has been banged around on the SUNYAC board because of how they started this season.  DO NOT MAKE ILL COMMENTS THAT MAY BITE YOU LATER!!  Cortland to me has always been "the team" to beat year in and year out in New York.

So, getting back to the UR vs Cortland game, does Rochester gain more credibility and Cortland lose some?  Again, my personal opinion is that Rochester winning or losing this game doesn't really matter much.  Sure, winning it helps UR in some respects.  BUT, how they the finish the season is much more important.  If they can "get over the hump" by winning the conference tournament, or if not, and getting a Pool C bid, then maybe UR gains the credibility they need for more future credible considerations.

Ah, I love when the misinformed public thinks that baseball is a boring game.  Not so, is it???

How does the weather look for Wednesday? Upstate New York games this time of year usually get rained/snowed out.

As of this post, at this time, the weather calls for sunny skies in the afternoon and temps in the low 50's.  If it is sunny, it could get into the upper 50's by game time.  But as you know, the weather can change in a heart beat.

[AlleyCat]

Why do some of the LL teams wait so long after coming back from their Spring Trips to lay again. Doesn't that hurt them? RPI was the only team to play last week during the great weather.

St Lawrence and Rochester didn't have anything scheduled for a great weather week in the horrible northeast.

[John McGraw]

Why do some of the LL teams wait so long after coming back from their Spring Trips to lay again. Doesn't that hurt them? RPI was the only team to play last week during the great weather.

St Lawrence and Rochester didn't have anything scheduled for a great weather week in the horrible northeast.

Normally because the weather this time of year is terrible. When the schedules are made, we assume this time of year in the northeast, especially in upstate New York, is going to be terrible. And once games are scheduled, you can't really push them up to an off week just because the weather is nice. While it stinks that many teams were inactive with the nice weather, you just don't know what the weather is going to do when you put the schedule together. Let's say a lot of games were scheduled for this past weekend and then we had a giant snow storm. Everything would get pushed back and you'd have a sprint to the finish in April like there usually is.

[airball55]

Geography is the main reason why teams lose that weekend.  SLU and Clarkson are so far north that their only chance of playing is to travel.  But teams traditionally won't reciprocate because of money/chance of snowout.  So these teams are forced to load up on DH's towards the middle and end of season.  Tough road but sometimes it helps a bit come conference tourny time.  These teams are used to playing three and four times the same weekend. 

[Ron Ron]

Clarkson is 1-6 and heading to RPI this weekend.  Too early to get a little worried about them? Not sure what the talent level is of the teams they played in Florida, but looks like they are having some real trouble replacing some very valuable pieces that were lost after a very successful season...

[John McGraw]

Clarkson is 1-6 and heading to RPI this weekend.  Too early to get a little worried about them? Not sure what the talent level is of the teams they played in Florida, but looks like they are having some real trouble replacing some very valuable pieces that were lost after a very successful season...

Too early to worry? I think so. The spring trip was a mix-mash of teams with varying levels and given what Clarkson lost, I'm not too surprised with a 1-6 mark right now. It's apparent that the team can score runs, they just need to find pitchers to get batters out because it does not look like that is happening. The Knights have a punchers chance to win a slugfest but if their offense is slowed down, that will make for long days.

Clarkson shouldn't fall behind Vassar or Union so the Knights will more than likely slug it out with St. Lawrence for the possible final playoff spot IMO.

[BoomerIL]

Rochester's home opener today against Cortland has been postponed because of wet grounds.  No make-up date has been scheduled.

UR plays a doubleheader Friday at 2:00p.m., and again Saturday at 12:00p.m. against St. Lawrence.  These are the first conference games for these schools.

[John McGraw]

Rochester's home opener today against Cortland has been postponed because of wet grounds.  No make-up date has been scheduled.

UR plays a doubleheader Friday at 2:00p.m., and again Saturday at 12:00p.m. against St. Lawrence.  These are the first conference games for these schools.

That stinks. Here in Syracuse it is sunny and cold though the grass is pretty wet from yesterday's rain/snow mix. If the grass was dry, it wouldn't be too bad a day for baseball.

[BoomerIL]

Son said the weather today was fine.  Its just the amount of rain they had that affects the field.  To me, the field almost looks like it is situated in a bowl.  The infield wasn't bad, but the outfield holds more water.  I hope they get to make-up the game.