BB: CCC: The Commonwealth Coast Conference

[rbgosfan]

It was indeed very nice to meet Word today, as a newcomer to the boards, I really enjoyed talking to someone with as much experience and knowledge of D3 baseball.

I agree with Word's analysis of the twin bill. WNEC played fundamental baseball, consistently getting runner in from 3b with less than 2 outs. The pitching and defense had been problematic early in the year but really seem to be coming around. If they continue that trend WNEC should give Curry a good battle in the TCCC tournament next week.

But first this week and Wednesday's battle with KSU.

Go Bears!

[wordsmith]

Watched the WNEC - KSC match-up in Keene. Some observations:

2 evenly matched teams.
6 home runs on the day.
Both teams played fairly well despite tough conditions.
Both Umps acted like they did not want to be there.
The Swamp played really 'short' today. Not seen balls fly as they did today. It was a friggin' Home run derby. 2 shots well over the 410 foot sign 
Field held up great despite rain.
Neither ump acted as if he wanted to be there today.
Catch in right field to end the game was a trap IMHO! (Sorry DChevy)
Game should have continued into the 8th and beyond.
Neither ump acted like they wanted to be there today. Shame on you two!
Congrats to KSC.

http://www.keeneowls.com/sports/bsb/2008-09/news/20090422WNEC




Word

[ecfaninri]

Word.....
Were either of those umps leftover from the KSC - Eastern game last Saturday?  That's too bad that they couldn't have continued the game. Was it any worse going into the 8th- weather wise from the 6th -7th inning?

Eastern cancelled today vs Wesleyan... next game is Friday vs. West Conn - it is supposed to be at West Conn, but it may be played at Eastern instead. Hope to meet Jconn at UMB on Saturday.

[Stump]

Word,
  It's safe to say you wern't impressed by the umpires. Sounds like they left their cars running for a quick getaway from the rain.   Makes for a tough game when the umps are more interested in getting out than getting the job done. I know it's tough conditions for the umps too but don't rob the players by not caring.  Luckily I've only see one day this year(so far) that the umps weren't into the game. New Haven early in year they both seemed to be guessing on calls throughout both games.  Takes a lot out of both teams and it's hard to watch a game like that.

Odd the balls flew so well in the rain and cold.

Good luck to Coach Word and the Golden Bears the rest of the way.

[wordsmith]

Umps did not win or lose the game for either team, what they did was not allow the game to continue. I suspect that if you had the chance to talk to any of the KSC coaching staff they might even tell you they were probably disappointed the game was not allowed to continue. Player safety was never an issue!

The weather was not good the entire day. It did worsen in the top of the 6th. The field was in very good shape and the KSC coaches/team worked hard to keep from losing the field. In fact the field crew was(were) carrying more of the drying agent out to the field when the Umps waved their hairy little friggin' paws and slithered off the field. No call for a rain delay, no let's wait 30 minutes and see, just GAME OVER.

I don't blame the umps for missing the call in right, it was a difficult play to see. I just happened to be on the right field fence line this time and got to see it Up close and personal.

The home plate ump who made the call, was a good 600-700 feet away when he made it as he and Gus,his seeing-eye mutt were already half way to their car when he raised his friggin' hairy little paw. The other ump was already in his Elderly Mobility Scooter headed back to the Senior citizens home for a warm bowl of oatmeal, a cup of tea in hopes of a bowel movement to end his day. (Word I CANNOT, believe you just said that, but ya'll are laughing aren't you?)


Word

[ecfaninri]

Word...
You call em like you see em...... Too bad some umps - at all levels just can't see or remember than we go to games to see the action between the lines. My son is an umpire and I am an official, the only thing I remind him regularly is to be fair, consistent, in always in position to the end of the contest. That game you do as an official may not be tour last game but it certainly can turn into a players/coaches last game if you are not fair, consistent or in position to the end of the contest. Too bad for WNEC they didn't have the opportunity to play 2 more innings yesterday.

By the way.... don't tell anyone.... I was laughing.

[Stump]

Word:
  You're right I'm laughing

[rbgosfan]

The TCCC tournament pairings have been announced. The release from the conference is below:

Curry College has claimed the top seed for The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) baseball championship, which begins with opening-round games on Tuesday, April 28.

The Colonels (30-5 overall) captured the top seed in the conference tournament after compiling a 21-1 record in TCCC play. Curry will open the double-elimination tournament against #8 seed Colby-Sawyer (15-21 overall, 9-13 TCCC) Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in Bristol, R.I.

Three other games are scheduled for Tuesday at 3:00 p.m., including #2 seed Western New England (25-14, 16-6) hosting #7 seed Nichols (16-18, 11), #3 seed Roger Williams (17-17-1, 12-9-1) hosting #6 seed Wentworth (22-15-1, 11-10-1), and #4 seed Salve Regina (17-21, 12-10) hosting #5 seed Endicott (17-20, 12-10).

Tournament action will continue through the week, culminating with the championship game on Sunday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m. The TCCC tournament champion will earn an automatic berth in the upcoming 2009 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship.

The highest seed will host each TCCC tournament game.


As discussed in an earlier post, the tournament is almost double elimination. The first two days are standard double elimination with winners from day 1 playing each other and losers playing each other. After 2 days there will be 2 teams at 2-0, 4 teams at 1-1 and 2 teams eliminated. Thursday is an off day to allow for rain. Since there is no host sight all games are played at higher seed, Friday has the 4 teams at 1-1 playing each other to eliminate 2 more teams. The 2 teams with 2-0 records have Friday off also. On Saturday the semifinals are played with the 2 teams at 2-0 playing the 2 teams at 2-1 either once or twice depending on who wins the first game. This leaves 2 teams to play a winner take all championship game on Sunday. It is possible that both teams on Sunday will be undefeated, both will have 1 loss or 1 will be undefeated and the other have 1 loss but it is still a single game at the home of the higher  seeded team.

As the top seed Curry will  play all of its games at home. As the 2 seed WNEC is assured of being at home as long as it survives until Sunday when it may have to travel to Curry.

Last year WNEC as the 3 seed ended up hosting the championship game when number 4 seed Wentworth upsed the 1 seed Roger Williams twice on Saturday.

Based on records and what I have seen this really should come down to a matchup of WNEC and Curry but if a pitcher gets hot anything can happen.

Lets go BEARS!

[Bill Gorman]

Last year WNEC as the 3 seed ended up hosting the championship game when number 4 seed Wentworth upsed the 1 seed Roger Williams twice on Saturday.

Wentworth had actually upset top-seeded Roger Williams in the second round to go 2-0 and advance to Saturday's bracket final. Roger Williams took the first game and Wentworth advanced to the finals with a win in the day's second game.

[wordsmith]

My penance for the day is friggin' yard work....but before I go--->

Caught the WNEC vs Amcats game yesterday in the lovely town of Paxton. Nice to meet a couple of D-III baseball board fans.

A couple of observations. WNEC, when focused, is as fundementally, on 'both sides of the ball' as any team I have seen this year.

TCCC tourney has been detailed above (excellent job rbgosfan). Good luck to WNEC

Now for the Amcats. I have to give a big thumbs up to the coaching staff and players. They worked hard, stayed positive and hustled throughout the doubleheader. Even when down by multiple runs these guys played the game 'the way it should be played'. This team is a group you could easily root for even when rooting against. (Know what I mean?) Sad to say but it does appear their season is over, however they can hold their heads high and know they are a credit to their school, and themselves. I am glad I got to see them play this year, they are one of the highlights for me this season.

Word 8)

By the way 4 Buckeyes taken in the NFL Draft Day 1 and.... It's official! 2009 OSU spring game att. 95,722 ... a national record for a spring game. And the best thing is Ohio State won the Spring Game

[ecfaninri]

Word.....

Ohio State? How many runs did they score? Could the Owls or Eastern have given them a better contest?

I, too, am heading out to do yard work today. But it's all good.... Put the headphones on ...listen to the Celtics, put some dogs on the grill, and then wait until the Sox and Yanks play tonight.

2  interesting games this week for Eastern prior to the LEC - tommorow at home vs. Tufts at 7 pm. and then Wheaton at home on Wednesday also at 7pm. That game vs. Wheaton could be big for both teams as in region games for an at large bid. With Wheaton ousted by Babson, they may need that game. I will work hard to get all the yard work in today to catch those games this week.

[wordsmith]

WNEC dumps Nichols 15-3; next up Roger Dodgers tomorrow 3:00pm at the "Tree".

Beware to WNEC this is a classic trap game---> RW is a very good team, so get on them early and often

Word 8)

[rbgosfan]

I have to agree with Word on Roger Williams. I expected them to have a much better record within conference than they did and they indeed are a dangerous team. WNEC needs to keep the bats going and hope Michaud stays hot on the mound.

The way this tournament sets up, this is a huge game for both teams. A win today gives you 2 days off and puts you in Saturdays semifinals only needing a split to get into the Championship game on Sunday. Whichever team loses today will have to win on Friday and then twice on Saturday in order to make it to Sunday.

Here's hoping the Bears defend the home turf and come out swinging!

[wordsmith]

I have to agree with Word on Roger Williams. I expected them to have a much better record within conference than they did and they indeed are a dangerous team. WNEC needs to keep the bats going and hope Michaud stays hot on the mound.

The way this tournament sets up, this is a huge game for both teams. A win today gives you 2 days off and puts you in Saturdays semifinals only needing a split to get into the Championship game on Sunday. Whichever team loses today will have to win on Friday and then twice on Saturday in order to make it to Sunday.

Here's hoping the Bears defend the home turf and come out swinging!

WNEC survives the Roger Dodgers 4-3 and moves on to play Saturday at 10 am.

See you at the Tree. 

Word 8)

[Bill Gorman]

Other scores:

Nichols 5, Wentworth 4 (Wentworth elminated)
Endicott 2, Curry 0
Salve Regina, 4, Colby-Sawyer 2 (Colby-Sawyer eliminated)

Friday's Elmination Schedule:
(7) Nichols at (3) Roger Williams, 3:00 (winner goes to (2) WNEC Saturday)
(4) Salve Regina at (1) Curry, 3:00 ((5) Endicott travels to the winner of this game Saturday)