BB: Top Teams in West Region

[CrashDavisD3]

I was looking at the McMinnville rosters and Concordia had 14 Sr's on it. They showed the full 35 man roster so I am not sure how many were contributors, but losing 14 Sr's is a lot. I think Tyler will be back stronger this year.

This is Centenary's first year of eligibility in SCAC and I expect them to be tough, if their pitching has developed past their number 1, they could be a contender.

Trinity should be very good this year, but I am concerned about their SOS. Not playing Millsaps, Hendrix, BSC and some tougher teams could hurt them come playoffs. It might be good for them to start going to the Az tournament to face some tougher teams until some of the other SCAC teams develop.

SOS will only hurt if they dont win SCAC/Pool A bid.

Linfield and CTX have outstanding coaching staffs and will reload as I expect Chapman will also. I expect all 3 teams to have a few new faces that will perform at a high level.

[108 Stitches]

Agree, on how top programs stay on top.

I was thinking about the level of competition and sometimes teams get lazy or don't perform at their best levels if they are not used to playing high level teams. Hard fought close games make a team better IMO.

[wildcat11]

2013 Predictions

SCAC - Trinity-Texas 
NWC - Whitworth
ASC - Concordia-Texas
SCIAC - Pomona-Pitzer

Others in the mix
La Verne, Chapman, Texas-Tyler, Linfield,

I think you have to add Pacific, PLU, and Fox in the mix out in the Northwest Conference.  The NWC is going to be a brawl the whole spring but the Rats rightfully get the nod as the team to beat.  I do think Linfield could have a monster season.

[ILVBB]

It is my understanding that the SCAC has reduced the number of games (max schedule of 36 games) that teams can play by 10%. This will likely make it increasingly difficult to schedule games which will have a positive impact on SOS.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

It is my understanding that the SCAC has reduced the number of games (max schedule of 36 games) that teams can play by 10%. This will likely make it increasingly difficult to schedule games which will have a positive impact on SOS.

Wow, why would you do that? Every inning is precious at D3.

[Ralph Turner]

Centenary is Year-3 Provisional status and is eligible for NCAA post-season in 2014-15.

[Whatagame]

It is my understanding that the SCAC has reduced the number of games (max schedule of 36 games) that teams can play by 10%. This will likely make it increasingly difficult to schedule games which will have a positive impact on SOS.

Wow, why would you do that? Every inning is precious at D3.

SCAC has a conference tournament, so teams that make the tourney would end up playing at least 38 to 40 games given double elim format.  Chapman only has 35 games on their schedule, but SCIAC has a conf. tourney as well.  Northwest Conference has no tourney, most/if not all teams schedule a 40 game season.

I can understand academic considerations/time constraints would be the concern for this limit, but, considering that teams in the West region start playing games early Feb, there is more time to spread the schedule out compared to conferences in midwest and northeast. Pretty sure NESCAC plays a shorter (34-36 games) season.

[CrashDavisD3]

Actually Chapman has 39 games scheduled....The last 4 SCAIC games are SCIAC pool play based upon where you are in the standings at that time. 1V9 1V8 1V7 1V6  etc... These last 4 are the SCIAC POOL PLAY games and are not part of the the SCIAC tournament.

After the last 4 SCIAC Pool play games then the SCIAC conference tourney has the top 4 teams play in a double elimination tournament for the Pool A bid for SCIAC.

See the SCIAC schedule
http://www.thesciac.org/sports/bsb/2012-13/schedule

[Whatagame]

Actually Chapman has 39 games scheduled....The last 4 SCAIC games are SCIAC pool play based upon where you are in the standings at that time. 1V9 1V8 1V7 1V6  etc... These last 4 are the SCIAC POOL PLAY games and are not part of the the SCIAC tournament.

After the last 4 SCIAC Pool play games then the SCIAC conference tourney has the top 4 teams play in a double elimination tournament for the Pool A bid for SCIAC.

See the SCIAC schedule
http://www.thesciac.org/sports/bsb/2012-13/schedule

Thanks for the correction!

[108 Stitches]

I looked at Trinity's schedule and they have 36 games scheduled prior to their conf tournament. Last year they played 40. They have a 10 day break in their schedule after the Chapman series and then get into the normal rhythm of weekend-midweek games. They will likely use the Chapman games as a preseason-find-your-weaknesses, then go work on them for 10 days and get ready to play. Their schedule looks easier than last year and the only thing I think that will hurt them is playing lesser competition. This is just my conjecture as these other programs will be gunning for them and are making inroads on recruiting and hiring quality coaches, etc. I expect that the SCAC will continue to develop into a high quality conference, they are just in a transition phase right now. I would really like to see them throw in a home/away with Millsaps, and/or BSC to keep up those rivalries and quality games as well as getting out of their region a bit.

It is great to be talking baseball!!!!!

[Whatagame]

I looked at Trinity's schedule and they have 36 games scheduled prior to their conf tournament. Last year they played 40. They have a 10 day break in their schedule after the Chapman series and then get into the normal rhythm of weekend-midweek games. They will likely use the Chapman games as a preseason-find-your-weaknesses, then go work on them for 10 days and get ready to play. Their schedule looks easier than last year and the only thing I think that will hurt them is playing lesser competition. This is just my conjecture as these other programs will be gunning for them and are making inroads on recruiting and hiring quality coaches, etc. I expect that the SCAC will continue to develop into a high quality conference, they are just in a transition phase right now. I would really like to see them throw in a home/away with Millsaps, and/or BSC to keep up those rivalries and quality games as well as getting out of their region a bit.

It is great to be talking baseball!!!!!

Ahh, too bad!!!  That break is right during the big 3-day D3 weekend of ball games in Anthem AZ with all the Texas, SCIAC and NWC teams.   

[108 Stitches]

I understand that it is NOT true that the SCAC has reduced their teams schedules to 36 games.

I suspect that TU and other teams will fill in their schedules to be at the NCAA 40 game regular season limit by the start of the season. I also expect that some new rivalries will develop within the conference over time as teams start to play each other more often. I am curious to see how fast Coach Thomas can get Southwestern headed in the right direction as well as watching the continued development at Dallas. I did not realize that Centenary had one more provisional season, but once they are in and TLU comes in there is a strong core of teams to make a very competitive conference.

[CrashDavisD3]

Preseason TOP 10 in the WEST....

Whitworth
Pomona-Pitzer
Trinity-Texas
Concordia-Texas...

Who would you put in a top 10 in the West.
http://www.d3baseball.com/teams/region/west

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Preseason TOP 10 in the WEST....

Did you mean to include a link? If you did I would be interested.

[augie77]

I certainly don't want to complain, as it is nice to get a video feed....of any kind. The announcer was really good and it was clear he knew the game better than most TV network broadcasters. Seriously, I enjoyed listening to him, even when he took the volume down when he messed up the order and we heard a little shxx as the sound was going down, he recovered very nicely. Well done. If you see him tell him there were number or us who enjoyed him. A little polishing and there might be a future for him in New York!!!