BB: Top Teams in West Region

[forheavendial4999]

dp,
It comes across that you and forheaven are the penultimate second guessers.

Based on this sentence, it doesn't seem like you know what penutimate means. I'm not second guessing anything. I don't spend every day on this board, particularly not this one because of the inflated senses of themselves that some fans seem to have that annoy me and to which I choose not to expose myself on a daily basis. I don't care if it works or not, it's a bad idea because you're choosing to throw your second-rate pitching against the other guys' top pitchers in a game that's more important to your season. Not brain surgery.

If you and forheaven want to continue to show, by second guessing 13 years of averaging 30 wins per year by one week where you call his coaching "foolish," that probably reflects more on the poster making the comments than the strategy.

The above makes a correlation out of things that are completely uncorrelated. Winning baseball games in the past has no correlation to whether or not a strategy maximizes a team's chances for success. I guess if you define success as winning a midweek, mid-season game, then sure. Success it is. I don't think that's a preseason goal for most programs.

You and forheaven are beating the pitching choices to a pulp to try and support some position you completely undermined by acknowledging it has worked for years.

Don't put words in my mouth by attributing them to someone else and using my name in the same sentence. IMO, it hasn't worked unless you think there's been no season that Trinity's ever been good enough to win a regional. The object of the season for a program of prominence isn't to win midweek games against teams throwing their #6 arm, it's to prepare and build for success in the postseason.

If they swing the bats and field the ball, they probably win all 5 this week, even with the challenges of Tuesday travel.

I thought they only played four.

Tue Apr. 10    Texas Lutheran          7:00 PM   Live stats Video
Sat Apr. 14    at Hendrix *          1:00 PM   
    at Hendrix *          4:00 PM   
Sun Apr. 15    at Hendrix *

I guess I'm just ignorant and don't know what I'm talking about.

[108 Stitches]

I have to laugh at all of the second guessing and thinking for one minute the coaching staff or any of the players at Trinity (or any other team for that matter) give a hoot about the number one ranking right now. Under a microscope... LOL...like they are paying attention to anything other than what is going on with their players and team? They know that the only time the number one ranking means anything is at the end of the season. TU's losses have had very little to do with who was on the mound and everything with poor hitting and fielding and coming out a flat. They had a good wake up call this week that will help them going forward IMO and they came out like they should have on Sat.  The most important thing for them (or any other team) is to have all aspects of their game in order come season's end. Playing well they can beat anyone and when not they can lose to anyone. The SCAC tournament is going to be a lot of fun with some pretty good baseball.

[dp643]

Look, I have a very high level of respect for Coach Scannell, the program, and his coaching ability. I have never once called him a foolish coach, so I am not too sure where you got that.

I have, and will always question his decision to use his studs mid week. I have done that ever since I have been around the d3 scene. I can disagree with a coaching decision he makes without thinking hes a foolish coach. Different coach's have different philosophies in every aspect of the game. I just think throwing your number 3 vs Chapman's number 1, and throwing your studs in a midweek game will open yourself up to some definite scrutiny. I believe its justified. I have been as consistent as anyone on this board in my disagreement with this decision, and have done so multiple times this season. So, I dont have any idea why you are calling me a second guesser.

I also believe some of the posters that are trying to justify the decision would totally disagree if it was their team implementing it. But I digress.

Now as far as Trinity goes, and regardless of how the pitching is used the rest of the regular season, I still believe Klimesh and Lucero are starting to pile up innings, and Trinity better find a couple of more arms if they want to make a deep run. I think we can all agree on that.

[Westside]

ASC - Concordia-TX(24-6) Texas-Tyler(22-7)
SCAC - Trinity-TX(25-6)
SCIAC - La Verne(22-10)
NWC - Pacific (16-9)

1) CTX
2) Trinty TX
3) Pacific
4) UTD (They took 2 of 3 from UTT and have played a tougher schedule)
5) SCAIC winner (ULV?  What a mish-mash?)

I'm inclined to give Pacific a pass for their start because I really don't think many D-III teams would fare well playing 7 games against D-II teams all on the road in Hawaii in a 4 day period.

You also have to be aware that, for some reason (weather, etc.), Pacific has played 14 of 15 league games at home so far. But they do have to go to Whitworth and PLU in the coming weeks.

[forheavendial4999]

You also have to be aware that, for some reason (weather, etc.), Pacific has played 14 of 15 league games at home so far. But they do have to go to Whitworth and PLU in the coming weeks.

Good on them for maintaining a playable field.

[108 Stitches]

Good post dp.

[El Hombre]

You can argue till you are blue in the face about when and where to pitch whom, but you can't argue with the fact that Trinity's pitching is not deep. This is a perfect example. They can beat anyone with Lucero and Klimesh on the bump, but are very suspect after that.

They couldn't beat Hardin-Simmons.

The most telling thing to me is that this supposed top 5 round draft pick got beat by Hardin-Simmons's like 6th best.

As for throwing your aces in a mid-week game where you know the other team doesn't have its best, it shows a lack of confidence that your down the line guys can get it done, and it seems that lack of confidence was shown to be well-placed by how they did against Southwestern.

But it's a complete insult to your conference opponent. And completely foolish to open yourself up to a greater chance of not winning your division.

Hopefully the selection committee remembers why this happened...because Trinity's coach doesn't think they're good enough to beat a mid-table ASC West team without trying to stack the deck.

There are two ways to get a bid. Win the tournament or Pool C. Trinity qualified for the tournament today and with the strong east this year, there isn't much of a difference between SCAC east top 3.

The other way is to get a pool C. To guarantee that, you need 6 losses or fewer. TU tried to keep it at that number by throwing their top 2 midweek. HSU is 15-14 and southwestern is 10-20. HSU appeared to be the better team so you throw your top guys then.

Once you qualify for the tourney, try and get the pool C bid. Don't be bitter bc it isn't conventional.

Tigerfan (or anyone else) -

Can you clarify how the SCAC Tournament works in deciding post season play? (I assume the winner receives an automatic bid - is that correct?)
More specifically, how many teams qualify for the tournament? 
If the winner is from the East division, are they assigned to the South Regional? 
If the winner is from the West division, are they assigned to the West Regional? 

[CrashDavisD3]

ASC - Concordia-TX(24-6) Texas-Tyler(22-7)
SCAC - Trinity-TX(25-6)
SCIAC - La Verne(22-10)
NWC - Pacific (16-9)

1) CTX
2) Trinty TX
3) Pacific
4) UTD (They took 2 of 3 from UTT and have played a tougher schedule)
5) SCAIC winner (ULV?  What a mish-mash?)

CDD3 Regional Rankings
1) Trinity-TX (SCAC)
2) Concordia-TX(ASC)
3) Pacific(NWC)
4) Texas-Dallas(ASC)
5) Texas-Tyler(ASC)
6) La Verne(SCIAC)

The west will be a 6 team regional like recent years in my opinion. I see the SCIAC getting only 1 bid. Same for NWC...3 teams from Texas and 1 out of region team will get 6th bid IMO.

Also 30 wins does not get you a automatic bid. Only winning your conference(SCIAC, NWC) or your conference tourney(SCAC, ASC) gets the Auomatic Pool A bid to the Regionals. A few years back Pac Lu lost the conference title in the NWC and with 30 wins did not get a Pool C bid and stayed home for the playoffs due to their weak schedule(SOS, OWP, OOWP numbers). 

No Chapman in 2012. Linfield may also miss the regionals in 2012. Both face off for a 4 game series this weekend if the rain dont wash out games in SoCal.

[Ralph Turner]

You would never justify and defend Byington if he threw McMurry's #1 and #2 midweek for a full outing and they werent available for a weekend conference series (or it only left one of them available).

dp643, you flamed me for giving my reasons after I respectfully asked you how you would have used the TU staff if you had been coach.  I was not trying to be ridiculous about this. I wanted a good conversation about how you pitch to the schedule that TU had over the last 2 weeks.

I outlined what Coach Scannell had for a schedule and how he used his pitchers. I agreed with that and I would agree with a similar use of McMurry pitchers with the same abilities, timing and opponents.

I told you exactly what I would do. I would pitch Klimesh and Lucero at most 2 innings, so they can get some work, and then have them both available for the conference series. You could start either in each game vs HSU and go 2 innings, or you could have each of them close vs HSU for two innings. Either way, I have them 100% ready to go for a CONFERENCE series.

Now can you answer my question on how you would react if Byington used his #1 and #2 in a midweek series before a conference weekend?

Coach Scannell has done this for years, and he has gotten away with it for years. Every single year we faced Trinity's big guns in a mid week series. This year it finally backfired, and he (and Trinity fans for that matter) should be able to take the scrutiny that comes with it. When you are ranked #1 in the country you get placed under a microscope. This time Scannell played with fire, and got burned.

If Byington:

has a 4 game lead over the second place team
is playing stonger in-region opponent in the midweek game than the conference opponent in the weekend series
is coming off a weekend with an open date
has not started my #1 in 10 days  and #1 has only had 2 innings of work (3 days earlier) in those 10 days
and my #2 has not pitched in 9 days
and needs to get some good innings from #3 and #4 in a game that "counts" 3 days later,
and has the chance to use my stronger #1 arm on pitch count in Game #2 on Saturday.

I think that this is the best chance to go 5-0 that week.

I tell him to do it the way that Scannell did.


And yes, if my #3 and #4 cannot beat Southwestern's #1 and #2, then I am in trouble in Games #3 and #4 in the Regional.

[dp643]

Its a wonderful game isnt it? So many different ways and approaches to do things.

108 - What is the deal with Fink? Is he injured? He hasnt thrown in a while.

[tigerfan_2001]

Tigerfan (or anyone else) -

Can you clarify how the SCAC Tournament works in deciding post season play? (I assume the winner receives an automatic bid - is that correct?)
More specifically, how many teams qualify for the tournament? 
If the winner is from the East division, are they assigned to the South Regional? 
If the winner is from the West division, are they assigned to the West Regional?

Winner get the Pool A bid.
There are 6 teams, 3 from each side.  #1Seed from West plays 3#Seed from East, 2 v 2, etc.  After that, it is your typical 6 team bracket.  Last year, the winner of the #1E v #3W played the loser of the 2 v 2 game, so this year that should flip and the winner of #1W v #3E will play the loser of the 2 v 2.

[El Hombre]

Tigerfan (or anyone else) -

Can you clarify how the SCAC Tournament works in deciding post season play? (I assume the winner receives an automatic bid - is that correct?)
More specifically, how many teams qualify for the tournament? 
If the winner is from the East division, are they assigned to the South Regional? 
If the winner is from the West division, are they assigned to the West Regional?

Winner get the Pool A bid.
There are 6 teams, 3 from each side.  #1Seed from West plays 3#Seed from East, 2 v 2, etc.  After that, it is your typical 6 team bracket.  Last year, the winner of the #1E v #3W played the loser of the 2 v 2 game, so this year that should flip and the winner of #1W v #3E will play the loser of the 2 v 2.

Thanks for the clarification! 
One other question . . . what regional is the "pool A" winner assigned to? 
If the winner is from the East division, are they assigned to the South Regional?  And if the winner is from the West division, are they assigned to the West Regional?

[tigerfan_2001]

Tigerfan (or anyone else) -

Can you clarify how the SCAC Tournament works in deciding post season play? (I assume the winner receives an automatic bid - is that correct?)
More specifically, how many teams qualify for the tournament? 
If the winner is from the East division, are they assigned to the South Regional? 
If the winner is from the West division, are they assigned to the West Regional?

Winner get the Pool A bid.
There are 6 teams, 3 from each side.  #1Seed from West plays 3#Seed from East, 2 v 2, etc.  After that, it is your typical 6 team bracket.  Last year, the winner of the #1E v #3W played the loser of the 2 v 2 game, so this year that should flip and the winner of #1W v #3E will play the loser of the 2 v 2.

Thanks for the clarification! 
One other question . . . what regional is the "pool A" winner assigned to? 
If the winner is from the East division, are they assigned to the South Regional?  And if the winner is from the West division, are they assigned to the West Regional?

Based on how the teams are aligned now, I would think that would be the case.  IN the past, when Millsaps was part of the SCAC West, they still went to the South regional.  All of the west teams are part of the west region and the east teams are all part of the south region, i think.

[Pat Coleman]

Tigerfan (or anyone else) -

Can you clarify how the SCAC Tournament works in deciding post season play? (I assume the winner receives an automatic bid - is that correct?)
More specifically, how many teams qualify for the tournament? 
If the winner is from the East division, are they assigned to the South Regional? 
If the winner is from the West division, are they assigned to the West Regional?

Winner get the Pool A bid.
There are 6 teams, 3 from each side.  #1Seed from West plays 3#Seed from East, 2 v 2, etc.  After that, it is your typical 6 team bracket.  Last year, the winner of the #1E v #3W played the loser of the 2 v 2 game, so this year that should flip and the winner of #1W v #3E will play the loser of the 2 v 2.

Thanks for the clarification! 
One other question . . . what regional is the "pool A" winner assigned to? 
If the winner is from the East division, are they assigned to the South Regional?  And if the winner is from the West division, are they assigned to the West Regional?

It's not as automatic as you make it sound but that would be the usual setup. But if there are not six West teams that qualify for the NCAA Tournament, then they would have to pull in teams from elsewhere and a South Region SCAC winner is certainly a possibility.

[108 Stitches]

Ralph – nice post. I might have considered doing what dp suggested, but most of us are 1,500 miles away and really have no idea what is going on.

dp, I was wondering the same thing about Fink. I know that one of their pitchers is coming off Tommy John surgery and I am not sure which one. I also know that Scannell has a way of picking out promising freshmen and getting them in early and developing them over some upper classmen, he might be doing that and getting some playing time early for a couple of kids he thinks will be contributors later. By anyone's measure (except for maybe one) this has been one of the more successful DIII programs in the country, so he has a method to his madness. If he is not injured I would expect to see him this week.

I see that Birmingham is rolling along so the SCAC tournament will be interesting. The Hendrix series is also going to be lots of fun to watch. I do know that TU plans on webcasting it.

I do have a question regarding the whole webcasting thing. Why don't more programs do what TU does and take their gear with them on the road? I did not realize that TU was going to webcast the Southwestern series and watched part of the games on Friday with theirs and picked up the Sat game with the TU set up and they have much better quality than I have seen from some of the other "commercial" programs. Is there a reason for this?