BB: Regionals (Midwest) Oshkosh '08, '09, Whitewater '10, '11

[Z71Warhawk]

Going into the top of the 6th, UW-W 13  CSS 10...

[Z71Warhawk]

Going into the bottom of the 6th, UW- W 13 CSS 10... C'mon Warhawks score some insurance runs.

[Z71Warhawk]

Going into the top of the 7th... UW-W 18  CSS 10.. We knew what happened tha last time UW-W had a 7 run lead...

[dukes]

Final Score. Whitewater 21 St. Scholastica 13.

Great tournament for everyone, best of luck to UWW to represent the region.

[Z71Warhawk]

Congrats to UW-W for advancing to the D3 World Series.....

[OshDude]

Congrats, 'Hawks, who get the Central winner (I think) in the opener with a well-rested Dominick, a confident Jacobson, a filthy Dott and a potent lineup. I'll take that against any other qualifier.

The WW bats reappeared after a little lull. I hope they keep that up against the best in the nation. I like their chances if the sticks stay hot.

[szlongball]

Congrats to Whitewater and good luck at Appleton. The Warhawks will get Linfield in the first round. As the only team Point defeated in the central regional, Whitewater will have their hands full with this team. Pitching is outstanding as well as a defensively sound team.  As good as Whitewater's pitching and hitting are, I  don't think they have faced anyone as good as these guys are.
Definetly think Point was in a much tougher regional and thank you very much NCAA for putting them there. The field and complex at Augustana puts both Whitewater and Oshkosh to shame. Not only do they have lights, but batting cages and another field to warm up on. It was nice to face competiton that you have never seen before. There were no cupcake teams in the regional as after the second day only one team was eliminated. Pitching was simply amazing.
I think Point should have done better, but I think the jinx was in from the first day.
Zielke comes down with Pink eye on Wednesday morning and Warwick tore his ACL after hitting his homerun in the WIAC tournament. The team just didn't seem to have what it took to rebound this season like they have in the past. Starting pitching in the regional was the best the Pointer's could have asked for. Zielke gets all the decisions in relief.
Any way, glad the Warhawks will represent the WIAC at Appleton this year. They are the right team to represent a very strong conference and one of the best in the country.

[cubs]

The team just didn't seem to have what it took to rebound this season like they have in the past.

What was one of the major differences between this seasons Regional and Regionals the past two years?  Point was playing on a baseball field, and not the "little league" park in Rapids.  While they have had some strong teams recently, I don't think it's a coincidence that Point has won EVERY WIAC Tournament since its move to Rapids, with this year probably being the most surprising.

Anyone else feel the same, or am I alone on an island on this one?

[Just Bill]

Do the fences in Rapids move back when the other teams hit?  Is UWSP the only team in the WIAC that hits home runs?  I find it amazing that UWSP is the only team that's been able to take advantage of the size of Witter Field (which is longer and has taller fences than UWW's field).

I think you're looking for the easy answer, but there's more to it than that.

[ShineTime]

Points season was doomed when Brandon Hemstead was declared out for the season.  I personally think Point has had the best team the past 4 years with the exception of this year where they just got hot for a weekend and Whitewater struggled.  As for regionals, It was truly a case of where the best team didn't win it but Point is the only one to blame.  They just couldn't get it done with the sticks and had too many walks and hitter batters.  Linfield is one of the best defensive teams in the nation but they don't hit really well.  I would pick Whitewater in the 1rst round.  Don't know if I'll get over Point choking before the series starts but probably will cheer on Whitewater this weekend.

[szlongball]

The team just didn't seem to have what it took to rebound this season like they have in the past.

What was one of the major differences between this seasons Regional and Regionals the past two years?  Point was playing on a baseball field, and not the "little league" park in Rapids.  While they have had some strong teams recently, I don't think it's a coincidence that Point has won EVERY WIAC Tournament since its move to Rapids, with this year probably being the most surprising.

Anyone else feel the same, or am I alone on an island on this one?
If Witter Field is a "little league" park, how about using a "high school" field for the regionals hosted by your Oshkosh Titans? It sure didn't help them. And yes, you are alone on your island.  And the quality of teams in each regional make a difference. Not sure Whitewater gets out of the central region(not saying they wouldn't) and sure Oshkosh would have gone 2 and out. At least Witter field is a great place to play ball. Not to mention the community really supports the WIAC tournament. And Point has won regional tournaments at other places besides Witter Field(look it up).

[badgerwarhawk]

Do the fences in Rapids move back when the other teams hit?  Is UWSP the only team in the WIAC that hits home runs?  I find it amazing that UWSP is the only team that's been able to take advantage of the size of Witter Field (which is longer and has taller fences than UWW's field).

I think you're looking for the easy answer, but there's more to it than that.

Cubs, I can introduce you to a whole bunch of people who feel that way.  He's a long way from being alone on that island, szlong.   Unless Point is the island being refered to.

There is more to it than that, Bill.   No they don't move the fences back and Point isn't the only team to hit home runs. But they are the team that generally hits more of them than anyone else.   I think other factors involved are being able to practice in your own facility and not have your team stuck in a motel for an extended period.   But they deserve credit because they get it done when they have to and it shouldn't be a big enough factor that the rest of us can't overcome it.   However there is no doubt in my mind that it is a factor.

Money is driving the decision to play in the Rapids.  They guarantee the conference $9000.  It could have been in Eau Claire but they only bid $6500.   Not that it matters but  the coaches voted 6-1 to return it to the regular season champion's field this year.   A vote is taken annually and they've consistantly voted to return it to campus.  Even Point voted for the return to campus.  As I've said in the past I feel these events belong on campus but I doubt that is going to happen.  

Anyway thanks for the well wishes.  There's plenty of room on the bandwagon so hop aboard and cheer on the WIAC's rep.  We'll do our best to represent the league.

[supermiac]

Personally, I think they should have a regional at a MIAC or MWC site sometime in the near future. Most of the MIAC fields are a league above those in the WIAC and several MWC fields are very nice as well. Minneapolis is a nice venue also to hold it. Played several games at Parade Stadium and several at Midway or Bethel's Hargis Park. They are all very, very nice facilities that can accommodate a Regional. However, I think they use the WIAC as a sort of "halfway point" for the teams that travel from the south...errr Knox?? and the teams from the north...hmmm, St. Thomas and CSS. Personally, I think the advantage goes to WIAC teams who play there (shorter travel times, larger fan bases, knowledge of the playing surfaces...etc.) Honestly, I believe it would be a different situation if teams played on real fields as opposed to the bandboxes that alot of WIAC teams play at. Just a thought; but after seeing the regionals, I would think that traveling to Minneapolis for a regional wouldn't be a shabby idea.

[voice]

I agree that St. Thomas has had to travel to Wisconsin too often in NCAA III Regional play.
I was wondering if MIAC schools such as St. Thomas actually submit a bid to the NCAA?

[dukes]

I agree that they most likely want to have it in a central location. If it were in Minneapolis, or Minnesota in general, all the teams would have to travel West and it would be out of the way for some. I like the idea of having it at a neutral location though. I think it is obvious that the home team has an advantage...as that is why most conference and tournaments are hosted by the 1 seed as advantage to them for earning the #1 seed. I would like to see it held in Madison, WI as it would be a central location with a large venue and a neutral field. If they are not going to have a central neutral location, then I think it should move between the regional contenders such as a WIAC site one year, a MIAC site another. With all the minor league stadiums and northwoods league stadium I would think there would be many facilities able to host.