BB: Regionals (West) 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

[infielddad]

There is little doubt venue can have a huge effect on the outcome of the game.  It goes beyond not having to travel, or being able to sleep in your own bed at night in the comfort of your home, or having access to your own refrigerator and the type and quantity of food you are accustomed to.  Anyone that argues with 'home field advantage' really has not studied, much less played the game.  Subtle nuances such as being familiar with how prevailing wind patterns affect fly balls; being accustomed to a slow or fast infield;  being adapted to a sandy or tight base path; and certainly for pitchers, the mound height and characteristics.  Teams are built around playing conditions such as these, just look at the Colorado Rockies and their pitching staff.

For example the West regional was held at a truly amazing park, possibly the best D3 park I have seen, but I am told the mound was very difficult because of its height and slope.  (I can only assume it was regulation height but I heard it jokingly referred to as the mountain instead of the mound.)  Even though the host team did not win the West regional, their pitchers could have had a distinct advantage because they were accustomed to the mound if it indeed had unique characteristics. 

I am amazed the NCAA does not partner with professional baseball to have these tournaments at parks that truly would be neutral.  It would negate all the bickering and put everyone on a "level playing field".   It could also create even more memories for the players that have earned the opportunity to play at this level of competition.

I am so sick and tired of hearing everyone bring up the fact about Chapman hosting the regionals for the last 5 years and that the reason they have won 5 regional titles in 6 years is because of "home cooking", etc, etc.  The bottom line is that Chapman University is THE premier D3 Baseball school in the nation as of this moment.  Sure, they "only" have one National Title to show for their last 4 appearances, but it truly is hard to win at that level.  Running into the National Champs in 05' (UW-Whitewater) and losing a 8-7 heartbreaker after blowing a 5-0 lead in the 2nd, the Nat'l Champs in 06' ( Marietta 10-4 in 3rd game of tourney) and then last year to Kean (07' Nat'l Champs) 3-1 when Joe Augustine struck out 12 hitters and is now in Double A and doing very well.  To tell you the truth, I would be willing to bet any amount of money that if Chapman did not face 2004 Pitcher of the Year and 7th round NY Mets draft pick Scott Hyde from George Fox in the opening game of the 2004 West Regionals that we would be sitting here talking about Chapman being in 6 straight World Series.  The program is far away the most consistent in the nation year in and year out.  Sure, the Cortland Sts, Emorys, Keans, ECSUs, Whitewaters, Stevens Points have had some great teams, but no one has been Top 3 every year, 35+ wins, 5 WS appearances, numerous individual stars (ERA leaders, Wins leaders, Players of the Year, Draft Picks, etc) like Chapman has.

It makes me sick when people on these message boards say and do two things to knock down and disrespect Chapman
1) question them hosting the regionals so often the last 5 years

ANSWER:  The team that has the best regular season and a dynamite playing field (by the way, ask Japan and South Korea what they think of Hart Park when they used it as their practice facility for the World Baseball Classic...) deserves to host the Regional.  Its the same reason why the Boston Celtics in the NBA now, why UNC in D1 baseball, why the Red Sox in the ALCS get to have their home advantage ----those teams had the best regular seasons and should be rewarded so by hosting

2) the whole notion about abusing arms and ruining player's futures.  I have read INFIELDDADs comments for years now, and while he is very educated, thoughtful and offers great insight, I HATE reading between the lines about how Scannell manages his pitchers better than Chapman does.  Because, really, in the long run, how many of these great D3 pitchers make anything of themselves at higher levels anyways???  Washburn, Billy Wagner, Jason Hirsh are about the only D3 guys to make an impact at the MLB level.  I guarantee the good pitchers that never had a chance in Appleton because their coach "saved" and "protected" their arm during the season and regionals would gladly trade their 1-2 seasons grinding it out in cities like Rome, GA, Lancaster, CA, etc for a shot at a ring and eternal greatness and memories. Chapman gets it done time and time again and should not be questioned for anything.  They win, every year, every regional and what happens in Appleton is really up to the breaks and games those 5 days.  it just so happens they have 1 Title to show for their string of success when they easily could be going for their 5th next week.  Maybe Chapman should move to D1 and play in the WCC with Pepperdine, LMU, USD, etc because I also guarantee within 5-7 years Chapman would be a USD and a national power.  Recruiting to a gorgeous school in Orange County, CA with the resources at hand would lead to a dominant program.  Now is that going to happen?? Probably not because the school wants to have a football team and things are not aligned to move up Divisions.

So where does all this leave us???  it leaves us with Chapman yet again catching a Wednesday flight to Appleton, WI and hopefully show the nation what West coast baseball is all about.  here's to a great WS and Chapman dogpiling at 2:32ET on Tuesday.....

Wow, take a 10 day vacation and look what you miss!!!!
My comments about how Coach Scannell handles pitchers had nothing between the lines about Chapman.  The only situation I have commented on with any very strong feelings was the management of Scott Hyde in 2004 both in the Regional and the CWS.  BTW, to say Hyde cost your team a trip in 2004 just isn't accurate since Chapman didn't make the Championship game.
So, with that said, I know Coach Scannell and the Trinity players would never grouse about what we might as fans, including the venue.  You suit up the players and whether it is in Georgetown, Tx, Orange, CA and or Abilene, Tx. they are all quality fields and don't affect the quality of play or results.
Chapman has a huge talent base in Southern Ca from which to recruit and it does very well.  Trinity, on the other hand, must recruit nationally because of the admissions requirements and it's competing against so many DI, DII and JUCO scholarship programs in TX.
Additionally, it would be unheard of at Trinity for a kid like Voss to be admitted as a transfer senior from a DI program.
So, there are differences in schools, in the coaching approaches, and in the talent pool available.  With those differences, Trinity has done very well in 2002, 2004, 2006 and again in 2008.
Chapman has done even better and deserves to be recognized for it's success, and the hard work by it's coaches and players to achieve those results.
I will  admit that it is  over the top for me to equate winning in Wisconsin with "eternal greatness." Whether you play in Wisconsin or end up with a  college career that ends up one game short of that goal, and then have the chances in professional baseball to compete against the very best, you are a player experiencing thrills of competition.  It is an experience limited to very few who have terrific talent, make enormous sacrifices, and work to extremes that usually isn't appreciated by most.
But, "eternal greatness,"  I don't think so.

[Blackcat00]

I think we can put THE BIG 2 talk to sleep with that performance in the World Series.

[Jack Parkman]

BIG 2?  Who are you talking about?

[Ralph Turner]

2009 West Regional will be hosted by Linfield!

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/112408aaa.html

[BigPoppa]

2009 West Regional will be hosted by Linfield!

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/112408aaa.html

That is going to make for some interesting travel costs for the NCAA. Nearly every team will have to fly in for that regional. I think only one or two teams (those in the Northwest) will be able to drive in for those games. The Texas and California schools will have to fly.

[OshDude]

2009 West Regional will be hosted by Linfield!

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/112408aaa.html

That is going to make for some interesting travel costs for the NCAA. Nearly every team will have to fly in for that regional. I think only one or two teams (those in the Northwest) will be able to drive in for those games. The Texas and California schools will have to fly.

I think we'll be revisiting this in May. There have been five flights in each of the past two years, although all five of last year's were used out West (to or from). Kinda already looks good for two NWC conference teams, IMO.

I like that Linfield and the NW gets the gig, but it probably makes more sense to have the regional either in Texas or SoCal. Or do we get to start talking about six flights? Lol. Didn't think so ... I say good job to the NCAA for spreading the love to the NW, but prepare for another legitimate gripe from a Texas team or two on selection day. Not much different from past years now that I've thought about it.

[SCIACfan5]

When does NCAA post the dates for the Regional and World Series Playoffs?

Or have the dates already been determined?

[Ralph Turner]

When does NCAA post the dates for the Regional and World Series Playoffs?

Or have the dates already been determined?

The dates have been posted, I just haven't seen them.

I think they are 52 weeks after last season...(I am not trying to be facetious.)

[Ralph Turner]

Let's resume the West Regional postings on this board.

[HALLEBASEBALL]

FAKE GRASS YUCK. LETS HOPE THE WEST IS NOT DECIDED BY WHO KNOWS HOW TO PLAY ON THAT SURFACE. ITS REAL GRASS IN APPLETON

[Jack Parkman]

Slow day today.  Here is the "Far West" Regional standings as of 3/8/09

1. George Fox-            1.00%
2. Pomona-Pitzer-       .900%
3. Redlands-                .818%
    Cal Lutheran-          .818%
5. Claremont-              .700%
6. Chapman-               .643%
7. Linfield-                   .625%
8. Pacific Lutheran-     .615%
9. Puget Sound-          .600%
10. Whittier-                .545%
11. Occidental-            .533%
12. Willamette-           .500%
13. CSU East Bay-       .417%
14. Menlo-                   .364%
15. La Verne-              .273%
16. Whitman-              .250%
17. Pacific-                   .231%
18. Whitworth-            .200
19. Lewis & Clark-       .091
20. Cal Tech-               0

Obviously these will change a lot every week.  I will try and keep up with it as much as possible.  I really don't know if these mean all that much, but I thought I would take a look at it.

[BigPoppa]

Slow day today.  Here is the "Far West" Regional standings as of 3/8/09

1. George Fox-            1.00%
2. Pomona-Pitzer-       .900%
3. Redlands-                .818%
    Cal Lutheran-          .818%
5. Claremont-              .700%
6. Chapman-               .643%
7. Linfield-                   .625%
8. Pacific Lutheran-     .615%
9. Puget Sound-          .600%
10. Whittier-                .545%
11. Occidental-            .533%
12. Willamette-           .500%
13. CSU East Bay-       .417%
14. Menlo-                   .364%
15. La Verne-              .273%
16. Whitman-              .250%
17. Pacific-                   .231%
18. Whitworth-            .200
19. Lewis & Clark-       .091
20. Cal Tech-               0

Obviously these will change a lot every week.  I will try and keep up with it as much as possible.  I really don't know if these mean all that much, but I thought I would take a look at it.

Nice work. It will be fun to watch them knock each other off as the season progresses. Might be intersting to see how the Texas schools matchup if anyone has the time. Does this only count games versus teams on this list or does it count games vs Texas/ Arkansas schools?

[Jack Parkman]

The above list counts all D-III West Region games.  There could be a few mistakes.  I was going to do the TX schools, but the multi-region games screwed me up.

[DIIIBASEBALLFAN]

Chapman vs Hendrix(AR). Both in the West Region counted yesterday I believe

Will the West be a 6 or 8 team regional this year.

[Jack Parkman]

I added the win for Chapman last night (I think).  All regionals are 6 teams.