BB: LL: Liberty League

[Pitchersmom]

In re to Coach accolades- You have to take into account that RPI only has 2 seniors, that counts for something.  This weekend will be the decider, will be fun to follow.

[BaseB13]

Never really saw the HC at RPI do anything.  Saw the PC get tossed quite a few times.  Definitely seemed like a team where the inmates ran the asylum.  Talented inmates none the less.  RPI seems to be a program that was ahead of the times and built up a strong program while other teams in the conference didn't treat baseball the same way.  Ithaca seems to be this way too.  Now most programs have a full time head coach that's aggressively recruiting and the playing field seems to be a bit more level.

[Pitchersmom]

Too early for me to make a judgement call on the Coach Steffan as I haven't seen a game yet. However, seems like a stretch to think he isn't hands on running a program that's doing well this year, has done well historically and  has appeared in the world series twice. I agree that there is parity .....and thats good for the league. Next year my S will be an inmate and I'll have a better sense of the program.

[reddragon00]

Good stuff in the LL room.....Looks like it is coming down to the wire and last weekend.  Hats off to Skidmore.  Lost a lot from last year and they bounced back as well as RPI.  No question LL is down this year.  Sorry to say that posters but it is true.  Some good arms but not much else!  I would like to see Clarkson get hot again but they have been struggling lately.  UR 's season wasn't that good but when you play a lot of freshmen...that happens.  Airball.....I don't think that UR posters make excuses for the way the team plays just that with a few of the records they have had in years past, they should have gotten into the Dance at least once.  BoomerIL, I love the honesty from the UR side.  I am sure they will be back to par in years to come...hell they almost beat Cst!!  Hope you enjoy the games!!

[airball55]

Dragon, just good healthy fun on here.  The Jacket followers do take things a bit more, well, serious on here and if you go back in the forum, there aren't many times where their losses may be simply because the other team may be better.  I also disagree with you stating they should have got to the dance, there is no post season success history to base a selection on.  I thought (maybe still??) that they may play backwards this season and sneak in the tourny and make a run.  They need some help but still have some life.  The whole region took some graduation hits, I think that is why the parity is there.  I still think Cortland and St. John Fisher stand out a bit.  After that, throw them in a hit.  I do agree that Clarkson is still dangerous with the offense they have at the top of the lineup.  Would not be surprised to see them come out of that tournament.  Good luck to all

[airball55]

Well Jackets fans, U are certainly Golden Knights fans today.  Game one 9-6 Clarkson.  If Clarkson sweeps the Saints, then Rochester gets in it appears.  Clarkson has a ton of injuries on their staff and getting that fourth game has been a battle for them.  Number two starter Giovannone was done a couple of weeks ago and they are hoping for someone to take that game by the horns.  Clarkson certainly has does everyone else is using the trainer a lot these days.  Game two, I am sure, is being followed down there in Jacketland.

[BBFan62]

Congratulations to St. Lawrence; they did what they had to do and grab the last spot. Yep, will be a long winter in Yellow Jacket land. Good luck to all. As a life long Cubs fan I am used to saying, "Wait'll next year!"

Injuries and some poor defense along with too many free passes given up did us in this year. On the plus side, I think the experience the Freshmen received will payoff. Bring on summer ball!

[airball55]

I think the Liberty League is sending it's four best teams forward.  With that said here are the matchups:

1 RPI vs. 4 St. Lawrence
2 Skidmore vs. 3 Clarkson

Probably Ciesko against Cook RPI/SLU game.  Two good pitchers, I could certainly see the Saints sneaking this one out.  But, I will go with RPI, in a close 4-3 game here.

Goerold vs. Barbuto or Laracuente in Skidmore/CU game.  Laracuente got torched yesterday by RPI.  Another close one here, I got the Knights by a 5-3 score.  The major factor here would be if the wind is blowing at RPI which makes the right field wall basically a lob wedge shot, then the scores could certainly go up.  Clarkson has mixed and matched the last month basically with all the injuries and if they are healthy is dangerous.  I could see any of these teams, but, it will be difficult as usual to come out of the losers bracket.  RPI used to have the pitching depth to do this, but not the same as the early 2000's.  Make your picks boys, I have the Knights winning it with Skidmore as my backup pick.  No Rochester picks please.

[djm222ball]

I think the Liberty League is sending it's four best teams forward.  With that said here are the matchups:

1 RPI vs. 4 St. Lawrence
2 Skidmore vs. 3 Clarkson

Probably Ciesko against Cook RPI/SLU game.  Two good pitchers, I could certainly see the Saints sneaking this one out.  But, I will go with RPI, in a close 4-3 game here.

Goerold vs. Barbuto or Laracuente in Skidmore/CU game.  Laracuente got torched yesterday by RPI.  Another close one here, I got the Knights by a 5-3 score.  The major factor here would be if the wind is blowing at RPI which makes the right field wall basically a lob wedge shot, then the scores could certainly go up.  Clarkson has mixed and matched the last month basically with all the injuries and if they are healthy is dangerous.  I could see any of these teams, but, it will be difficult as usual to come out of the losers bracket.  RPI used to have the pitching depth to do this, but not the same as the early 2000's.  Make your picks boys, I have the Knights winning it with Skidmore as my backup pick.  No Rochester picks please.

I like Skidmores pitching over all the other teams in the league at this point. I think they play solid defense and have 3 front starters that are very solid! RPI would be my nxt pick, they simply swing it 1 thru 9 and the host site is a big plus for them!
This will be close, but I take pitching and defense, Skidmore

[DefenseWins]

I think the Liberty League is sending it's four best teams forward.  With that said here are the matchups:

1 RPI vs. 4 St. Lawrence
2 Skidmore vs. 3 Clarkson

Probably Ciesko against Cook RPI/SLU game.  Two good pitchers, I could certainly see the Saints sneaking this one out.  But, I will go with RPI, in a close 4-3 game here.

Goerold vs. Barbuto or Laracuente in Skidmore/CU game.  Laracuente got torched yesterday by RPI.  Another close one here, I got the Knights by a 5-3 score.  The major factor here would be if the wind is blowing at RPI which makes the right field wall basically a lob wedge shot, then the scores could certainly go up.  Clarkson has mixed and matched the last month basically with all the injuries and if they are healthy is dangerous.  I could see any of these teams, but, it will be difficult as usual to come out of the losers bracket.  RPI used to have the pitching depth to do this, but not the same as the early 2000's.  Make your picks boys, I have the Knights winning it with Skidmore as my backup pick.  No Rochester picks please.

I like Skidmores pitching over all the other teams in the league at this point. I think they play solid defense and have 3 front starters that are very solid! RPI would be my nxt pick, they simply swing it 1 thru 9 and the host site is a big plus for them!
This will be close, but I take pitching and defense, Skidmore

I got RPI, Duval Ciesko and the kid who starts game #4 for them I think are their 3 best. Duval and Ciesko are tough and will keep teams low in the run column. I think with the home field advantage, the amount of lefties that Steffan Stacks up 1-9 at that park, and the hurricane winds that usually blow out to right, RPI will win. I think they will put up runs against any arm they see. I see them beating Cook game 1 8-3, I like Skidmore over Clarkson game 2 4-3, I like St Lawerence to beat Clarkson in some what of an upset in the losers bracket (Conde v Chudy probably??) Conde kid has been good this year and I think he holds down Clarkson bats. Then I like RPI over Skidmore (Duval v either Laracuente or Brucato) 6-3, Skidmore takes care of St Lawerence. RPI wins in Championship.

Heres a question. Skidmore get consideration for a Pool B if they get to championship and lose?

[Ralph Turner]

I think the Liberty League is sending it's four best teams forward.  With that said here are the matchups:

1 RPI vs. 4 St. Lawrence
2 Skidmore vs. 3 Clarkson

Probably Ciesko against Cook RPI/SLU game.  Two good pitchers, I could certainly see the Saints sneaking this one out.  But, I will go with RPI, in a close 4-3 game here.

Goerold vs. Barbuto or Laracuente in Skidmore/CU game.  Laracuente got torched yesterday by RPI.  Another close one here, I got the Knights by a 5-3 score.  The major factor here would be if the wind is blowing at RPI which makes the right field wall basically a lob wedge shot, then the scores could certainly go up.  Clarkson has mixed and matched the last month basically with all the injuries and if they are healthy is dangerous.  I could see any of these teams, but, it will be difficult as usual to come out of the losers bracket.  RPI used to have the pitching depth to do this, but not the same as the early 2000's.  Make your picks boys, I have the Knights winning it with Skidmore as my backup pick.  No Rochester picks please.

I like Skidmores pitching over all the other teams in the league at this point. I think they play solid defense and have 3 front starters that are very solid! RPI would be my nxt pick, they simply swing it 1 thru 9 and the host site is a big plus for them!
This will be close, but I take pitching and defense, Skidmore

I got RPI, Duval Ciesko and the kid who starts game #4 for them I think are their 3 best. Duval and Ciesko are tough and will keep teams low in the run column. I think with the home field advantage, the amount of lefties that Steffan Stacks up 1-9 at that park, and the hurricane winds that usually blow out to right, RPI will win. I think they will put up runs against any arm they see. I see them beating Cook game 1 8-3, I like Skidmore over Clarkson game 2 4-3, I like St Lawerence to beat Clarkson in some what of an upset in the losers bracket (Conde v Chudy probably??) Conde kid has been good this year and I think he holds down Clarkson bats. Then I like RPI over Skidmore (Duval v either Laracuente or Brucato) 6-3, Skidmore takes care of St Lawerence. RPI wins in Championship.

Heres a question. Skidmore get consideration for a Pool B if they get to championship and lose?

Please review the criteria listed below in reference to Skidmore and Pool C.  

Selection Criteria.

Primary Criteria
The primary criteria emphasize regional competition (all contests leading up to NCAA championships); all criteria listed
will be evaluated (not listed in priority order).
• Win-loss percentage against regional opponents.
• Strength-of-schedule (only contests versus regional competition).
- Opponents' Average Winning Percentage (OWP).
- Opponents' Opponents' Average Winning Percentage (OOWP).
• See Appendix B for explanation of OWP and OOWP calculations.
• In-region head-to-head competition.
• In-region results versus common regional opponents.
• In-region results versus regionally ranked teams.
• Ranked opponents are defined as those teams ranked at any time of the rankings/selection process.
• Conference postseason contests are included.
• Contests versus provisional and reclassifying members in their third and fourth years shall count in the primary criteria.
Provisional and reclassifying members shall remain ineligible for rankings and selection.

Weighted Scale. For a minimum of two championship seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11), a weighted scale will apply. Once
the OWP and OOWP are calculated, they are to be combined on a weighted scale (e.g., 2/3 weight for OWP and 1/3
weight for OOWP) and this combined number becomes the strength of schedule.

Secondary Criteria
If the evaluation of the primary criteria does not result in a decision, the secondary criteria will be reviewed. All the criteria
listed will be evaluated (not listed in priority order). The secondary criteria introduce results against out-of-region Division
III and all other opponents including those contests versus opponents from other classifications (i.e., provisionals, NAIA,
NCAA Divisions I and II).
• Out-of-region head-to-head competition.
• Overall Division III win-loss percentage.
• Results versus common non Division III opponents.
• Results versus all Division III ranked teams.
• Overall win-loss percentage.
• Results versus all common opponents.
• Overall DIII Strength of Schedule.

N.B.  Once ranked, always "ranked".

[ocho]

Does anyone know the schedule for the LL Championships Friday?

[scscoach]

I think the Liberty League is sending it's four best teams forward.  With that said here are the matchups:

1 RPI vs. 4 St. Lawrence
2 Skidmore vs. 3 Clarkson

Probably Ciesko against Cook RPI/SLU game.  Two good pitchers, I could certainly see the Saints sneaking this one out.  But, I will go with RPI, in a close 4-3 game here.

Goerold vs. Barbuto or Laracuente in Skidmore/CU game.  Laracuente got torched yesterday by RPI.  Another close one here, I got the Knights by a 5-3 score.  The major factor here would be if the wind is blowing at RPI which makes the right field wall basically a lob wedge shot, then the scores could certainly go up.  Clarkson has mixed and matched the last month basically with all the injuries and if they are healthy is dangerous.  I could see any of these teams, but, it will be difficult as usual to come out of the losers bracket.  RPI used to have the pitching depth to do this, but not the same as the early 2000's.  Make your picks boys, I have the Knights winning it with Skidmore as my backup pick.  No Rochester picks please.

I like Skidmores pitching over all the other teams in the league at this point. I think they play solid defense and have 3 front starters that are very solid! RPI would be my nxt pick, they simply swing it 1 thru 9 and the host site is a big plus for them!
This will be close, but I take pitching and defense, Skidmore

I got RPI, Duval Ciesko and the kid who starts game #4 for them I think are their 3 best. Duval and Ciesko are tough and will keep teams low in the run column. I think with the home field advantage, the amount of lefties that Steffan Stacks up 1-9 at that park, and the hurricane winds that usually blow out to right, RPI will win. I think they will put up runs against any arm they see. I see them beating Cook game 1 8-3, I like Skidmore over Clarkson game 2 4-3, I like St Lawerence to beat Clarkson in some what of an upset in the losers bracket (Conde v Chudy probably??) Conde kid has been good this year and I think he holds down Clarkson bats. Then I like RPI over Skidmore (Duval v either Laracuente or Brucato) 6-3, Skidmore takes care of St Lawerence. RPI wins in Championship.

Heres a question. Skidmore get consideration for a Pool B if they get to championship and lose?

Please review the criteria listed below in reference to Skidmore and Pool C.  

Selection Criteria.

Primary Criteria
The primary criteria emphasize regional competition (all contests leading up to NCAA championships); all criteria listed
will be evaluated (not listed in priority order).
• Win-loss percentage against regional opponents.
• Strength-of-schedule (only contests versus regional competition).
- Opponents' Average Winning Percentage (OWP).
- Opponents' Opponents' Average Winning Percentage (OOWP).
• See Appendix B for explanation of OWP and OOWP calculations.
• In-region head-to-head competition.
• In-region results versus common regional opponents.
• In-region results versus regionally ranked teams.
• Ranked opponents are defined as those teams ranked at any time of the rankings/selection process.
• Conference postseason contests are included.
• Contests versus provisional and reclassifying members in their third and fourth years shall count in the primary criteria.
Provisional and reclassifying members shall remain ineligible for rankings and selection.

Weighted Scale. For a minimum of two championship seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11), a weighted scale will apply. Once
the OWP and OOWP are calculated, they are to be combined on a weighted scale (e.g., 2/3 weight for OWP and 1/3
weight for OOWP) and this combined number becomes the strength of schedule.

Secondary Criteria
If the evaluation of the primary criteria does not result in a decision, the secondary criteria will be reviewed. All the criteria
listed will be evaluated (not listed in priority order). The secondary criteria introduce results against out-of-region Division
III and all other opponents including those contests versus opponents from other classifications (i.e., provisionals, NAIA,
NCAA Divisions I and II).
• Out-of-region head-to-head competition.
• Overall Division III win-loss percentage.
• Results versus common non Division III opponents.
• Results versus all Division III ranked teams.
• Overall win-loss percentage.
• Results versus all common opponents.
• Overall DIII Strength of Schedule.

N.B.  Once ranked, always "ranked".

Is there a site where we can view teams OWP and OOWP?

[scscoach]

I'm taking Skidmore and Brucato over Clarkson and Goerold in Game 1. In Game 2 I'm going with RPI and Cieszko over St. Lawrence and Cook. My starting pitcher predictions are based on how well the pitchers did against opponents during regular season.

I would not be surprised to see Laracuente start for Skidmore but I think they will want to keep Rudmans bat in lineup while saving him for a possible RPI matchup later in tourney. I would only be mildly surprised to see Ludwig go in Game 1 for RPI. Ludwig looked very sharp against Skidmore after 1st inning last weekend in first game of the series.

[ocho]

Does anyone what TIME the games are on Friday??