BB: Top Teams in West Region

[Ron Boerger]

Concordia split with Trinity. They were ranked 15th at the time of their win in Austin. Not sure if that would count.

Trinity was never regionally ranked by the NCAA to my knowledge.   The D3 ratings aren't factored into the selection criteria.    Not sure 2-3 would do much more for CTX than 1-2 even had they been.

[Jack Parkman]

Records against Regionally Ranked Opponents for the top 4 candidates for a POOL C from the West:

UT Tyler- 2-1 against Concordia
Concordia- 1-2 against UT Tyler
Cal Lu- 6-3 (2-0 vs Whitworth, 0-1 vs Wesleyan, 0-1 vs Linfield, 1-0 vs MIT, 3-1 vs Pomona)
Linfield- 5-5 (1-4 vs PLU, 1-0 vs Cal Lu, 1-0 vs Wesleyan)

Just facts, no opinion.

And PLU is 6-4.

Also, Pomona isn't ranked... so Cal Lu would be 3-2.

I didn't add PLU since they are a lock since they are the #1 ranked team in the Region.

Pomona was ranked week 1 and I believe it is "once ranked, always ranked."  Can anyone let me know if I am wrong on that?

[Mr. Ypsi]

Records against Regionally Ranked Opponents for the top 4 candidates for a POOL C from the West:

UT Tyler- 2-1 against Concordia
Concordia- 1-2 against UT Tyler
Cal Lu- 6-3 (2-0 vs Whitworth, 0-1 vs Wesleyan, 0-1 vs Linfield, 1-0 vs MIT, 3-1 vs Pomona)
Linfield- 5-5 (1-4 vs PLU, 1-0 vs Cal Lu, 1-0 vs Wesleyan)

Just facts, no opinion.

And PLU is 6-4.

Also, Pomona isn't ranked... so Cal Lu would be 3-2.

I didn't add PLU since they are a lock since they are the #1 ranked team in the Region.

Pomona was ranked week 1 and I believe it is "once ranked, always ranked."  Can anyone let me know if I am wrong on that?

At least in basketball, that is no longer true.  ONLY the final (secret) rankings count.  The rules are usually consistent across sports, so it is probably no longer true in baseball either (though I don't know for sure).

[SoCalSoxFan]

Records against Regionally Ranked Opponents for the top 4 candidates for a POOL C from the West:

UT Tyler- 2-1 against Concordia
Concordia- 1-2 against UT Tyler
Cal Lu- 6-3 (2-0 vs Whitworth, 0-1 vs Wesleyan, 0-1 vs Linfield, 1-0 vs MIT, 3-1 vs Pomona)
Linfield- 5-5 (1-4 vs PLU, 1-0 vs Cal Lu, 1-0 vs Wesleyan)

Just facts, no opinion.

And PLU is 6-4.

Also, Pomona isn't ranked... so Cal Lu would be 3-2.

I didn't add PLU since they are a lock since they are the #1 ranked team in the Region.

Pomona was ranked week 1 and I believe it is "once ranked, always ranked."  Can anyone let me know if I am wrong on that?

I did read earlier in year that "once ranked, always ranked" applied.   I'll look for the link and post.

[SoCalSoxFan]

The championship manual reads:
- results of ranked Div III opponents as established by the rankings at time of selection.

[Jack Parkman]

The championship manual reads:
- results of ranked Div III opponents as established by the rankings at time of selection.

As such, games against Whitworth, PP, MIT wouldn't currently count.
UTT:  2-1
Concordia:  1-2
CLU:  0-2
Linf:  2-4

- Wesleyan is #25 and should stay in Rankings depending on results of todays game.
- UTT and Concordia are expected to play each other 1-2 more times; which will change their results.-
- TT is currently #23.  If they don't make finals, their two losses might drop them out of Rankings.

The only rankings that matter are the regional rankings.  The rankings voted on by the pollsters have absolutely zero to do with the selections.

[Jack Parkman]

Records against Regionally Ranked Opponents for the top 4 candidates for a POOL C from the West:

UT Tyler- 2-1 against Concordia
Concordia- 1-2 against UT Tyler
Cal Lu- 6-3 (2-0 vs Whitworth, 0-1 vs Wesleyan, 0-1 vs Linfield, 1-0 vs MIT, 3-1 vs Pomona)
Linfield- 5-5 (1-4 vs PLU, 1-0 vs Cal Lu, 1-0 vs Wesleyan)

Just facts, no opinion.

And PLU is 6-4.

Also, Pomona isn't ranked... so Cal Lu would be 3-2.

I didn't add PLU since they are a lock since they are the #1 ranked team in the Region.

Pomona was ranked week 1 and I believe it is "once ranked, always ranked."  Can anyone let me know if I am wrong on that?

At least in basketball, that is no longer true.  ONLY the final (secret) rankings count.  The rules are usually consistent across sports, so it is probably no longer true in baseball either (though I don't know for sure).

Thanks Mr. Ypsi, I wasn't sure about it at all and just remember that it was once that way.

[108 Stitches]

A quick wrap up on the CWS for West teams.

Prior to going to the CWS some of Trinity players had been hanging out with some of the Linfield players  (from past years)  and they heard from them that the toughest part was getting there., After experiencing it I would agree. At least from the teams in the West that I saw play this year, Linfield, Millsaps, La Verne, TLU, Concordia, Centenary, UTT and others could compete quite well with the teams that were at Appleton this year. I thought that Cortland and Trinity were easily the best teams there, and it is too bad we did not get to see these teams play each other, but that does not matter as Cortland deserves to be applauded for a great season and is an excellent champion.

I can also see they some of the past Midwest winners did well there as you have to have a very deep pitching staff. (particularly in the old format) This is something that is a challenge for West teams and IMO if a team thinks they have what it takes to break though a Regional they have to take the time to develop other pitchers during the regular season.  It may cost them some wins but will pay dividends once Regionals start, and hopefully the CWS. The other requirement is to have a dominant number 1 pitcher, you have to win the first game as coming through the loser bracket is difficult, it can be done, but the margin for error drops dramatically.

Except for the weather (this year at least) the Appleton location is excellent, lots of hotels, restaurants, and the fan and community support is unbelievable. The field is perfect and easily supports the attendees.  My only complaint is that the NCAA does not allow for enough time to get the tournament done if there is inclement weather or if one of the pools plays longer than the other. This created some unfortunate decisions that the NCAA had to make and IMO could have changed the outcome.  This does not take anything away from Cortland, but it is something I think the NCAA has to take into account with the new format.

The new format is a huge improvement over the ones from past years and I really like the 2/3 for the last series to pick a champion.

I also like the fact that during Regionals some West teams are getting shipped to other locations. I think the West and South are at a disadvantage as far as breaking through a Regional. Two years ago when Linfield won the CWS there were at least two other teams that should have been at the CWS, but were not, because they were all in the West. I would like to see more National rankings when selecting Regional teams and if necessary more some West teams out, not the other way around as has happened in the past. There is NO question in my mind that the West should have 6 West teams in their regional, fictitious Regional rankings be dammed, there is really high quality baseball played in the West, and as good or better than anywhere else in the country.

Trinity represented the West well, the team played very well, and take a few breaks away, they are in the championship series, which is what you want to see from your region. We had as many fans and were cheering louder than the semi-home team (UW-LC) which is a tribute to the West baseball fans who have to travel around to see their teams play. It was really fun to see a number or locals come out and follow our team through multiple games and cheer with us. A big thank you to those Appltonites who came out for us.

Finally to all of the past Trinity players, coaches and families - the program no longer has to bear the label  "best program to not make it to a CWS" Winning a CWS series would have been sweet but removing that label is pretty special for a bunch of Seniors.

Cheers!

[BamColt]

We had Eastern Connecticut State (CWS Champion) out of the gates. Lost in the 10th.
i thought the same thing, Trinity, Pamona Pitzer were head and shoulders better programs than 4 of the regional winners. West gets somewhat screwed year after year.

Not to mention our second game against Lakeland was 32 and sleeting. Wish it was just a little more south.

The locals are incredible and everyone in that community supports this tournament to the fullest.

[Ralph Turner]

Here is the interview with UMHB Head Coach Ben Shipp who was national committee chair this year.

We got lucky that Millsaps could be sent to Tyler (and would not have been able to be bussed to Austin or Abilene). That bus trip gave the committee the flexibility to fly PLU to the South Region.

I will continue to applaud every chance the committee gets to fly a West Region team out of Region

http://www.d3baseball.com/playoffs/2015/state-of-the-game

[Ralph Turner]

+1! for the wrap-up!

A quick wrap up on the CWS for West teams.

Prior to going to the CWS some of Trinity players had been hanging out with some of the Linfield players  (from past years)  and they heard from them that the toughest part was getting there., After experiencing it I would agree. At least from the teams in the West that I saw play this year, ...


Linfield, Millsaps, La Verne, TLU, Concordia, Centenary, UTT and others could compete quite well with the teams that were at Appleton this year.

I thought that Cortland and Trinity were easily the best teams there, and it is too bad we did not get to see these teams play each other, but that does not matter as Cortland deserves to be applauded for a great season and is an excellent champion.

I can also see they some of the past Midwest winners did well there as you have to have a very deep pitching staff. (particularly in the old format) This is something that is a challenge for West teams and IMO if a team thinks they have what it takes to break though a Regional ...

they have to take the time to develop other pitchers during the regular season.  It may cost them some wins but will pay dividends once Regionals start, if you happen to win the conference tourney as the #3 seed

and hopefully the CWS. The other requirement is to have a dominant number 1 pitcher, you have to win the first game as coming through the loser bracket is difficult, it can be done, but the margin for error drops dramatically.

Except for the weather (this year at least) the Appleton location is excellent, lots of hotels, restaurants, and the fan and community support is unbelievable. The field is perfect and easily supports the attendees. ... (Coach Shipp addresses this. The NCAA championship is a big deal in that town and they support it well!)

...My only complaint is that the NCAA does not allow for enough time to get the tournament done if there is inclement weather or if one of the pools plays longer than the other. This created some unfortunate decisions that the NCAA had to make and IMO could have changed the outcome.  This does not take anything away from Cortland, but it is something I think the NCAA has to take into account with the new format.

The new format is a huge improvement over the ones from past years and I really like the 2/3 for the last series to pick a champion.

I also like the fact that during Regionals some West teams are getting shipped to other locations. I think the West and South are at a disadvantage as far as breaking through a Regional. Two years ago when Linfield won the CWS there were at least two other teams that should have been at the CWS, but were not, because they were all in the West. I would like to see more National rankings when selecting Regional teams and if necessary more some West teams out, not the other way around as has happened in the past. There is NO question in my mind that the West should have 6 West teams in their regional, fictitious Regional rankings be dammed, there is really high quality baseball played in the West, and as good or better than anywhere else in the country.

Trinity represented the West well, the team played very well, and take a few breaks away, they are in the championship series, which is what you want to see from your region. We had as many fans and were cheering louder than the semi-home team (UW-LC) which is a tribute to the West baseball fans who have to travel around to see their teams play. It was really fun to see a number or locals come out and follow our team through multiple games and cheer with us. A big thank you to those Appltonites who came out for us.

Finally to all of the past Trinity players, coaches and families - the program no longer has to bear the label  "best program to not make it to a CWS" Winning a CWS series would have been sweet but removing that label is pretty special for a bunch of Seniors.

Cheers!

The allocation for baseball championships is one bid is budgeted (by the NCAA and Thank you March  Madness TV money!) for every 6.5 schools that play the sport.  Under the old March Madness TV contract we were allocated one bid for every 7.5 schools playing baseball, etc.  The extra money increased the Pool C bids from ~2 to ~14!

15% of the teams in a region are ranked, regardless of the number of teams in a region.

[NWBaseballFan10]

Prior to going to the CWS some of Trinity players had been hanging out with some of the Linfield players  (from past years)  and they heard from them that the toughest part was getting there.


Except for the weather (this year at least) the Appleton location is excellent, lots of hotels, restaurants, and the fan and community support is unbelievable.



Trinity represented the West well

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed. Kudos to Trinity on a great season and to their coaching staff for finally getting the World Series monkey off of its back.

My way too early predictions for next season has Trinity and PLU has the frontrunners in the West.

[BamColt]

The NCAA makes how much each year? They should have no problems flying teams to the correct regions.

[Pat Coleman]

Only 3.18% of that money is in the Division III budget, however.

[108 Stitches]

http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?s=cbase2015&sub=11620

A few final comments on team rankings, the West and how the NCAA does a huge disservice to the region.

The data is almost complete and is purely analytical, no "voting". Note that 7 of the top 20 teams are from the West.

Also note that 14 of the top 20 teams were either from the West, South or Wisconsin teams. Now how come the NCAA put those power house groups in the same pool at the CWS this year?

Hmmmm, could we have a  bias on trying to make it so a South, West or Wisconsin teams don't dominate at the CWS?  Seems odd to me.

Following up on what some of the Trinity players who were talking with the Linfield players, and after seeing it with my own eyes, the level of play on a team for team basis is higher in the West than anywhere else in the country. (South/Wisconsin aside) There is no logical reason to not have 6 West teams in the West Regional, and maybe even more logical, flying more teams OUT of the West.

This is all water under the bridge, but something is wrong with how the NCAA is doing their regional rankings.

Have a great summer.