2015 West Regional - Tyler, TX

[108 Stitches]

I believe Trinity would be the 5 seed based on previous regional rankings.

Likely pitching match ups for game 2. Should be a great game.

Haddeland, Chris....  1.64   7-2    13  13   4   3/1    0  99.0  80  28  18  19  61  13   0   0  353  .227    4  10   0    1   8

Ryan Gray...........  1.81   7-0    12   7   0   0/2    2  54.2  28  13  11  19  61   1   1   2  189  .148    8   2   0    0   5

[Westside]

Those rankings are just alphabetical order... The actual seeding should be:

1. Texas-Tyler
2. Linfield
3. Millsaps
4. Whitworth
5. Trinity
6. La Verne

[CAK72B]

Maybe an underrated regional rivalry starting to brew...although somewhat one sided...Linfield has knocked Trinity out of the Regional in 2011, 2013, and I believe last year in 2014 as well. Trinity will really want to get a little payback and their first game gives them a chance to do just that.

[Westside]

True that. And Whitworth knocked them out in the regional championship in 2012...

Trinity could have multiple chances to exorcise some demons.

[CAK72B]

I think Trinity just wants revenge on the NWC in general since they have dominated the regional ever since the regression of Chapman

[Westside]

Here is link to Regional Website:

http://uttylerpatriots.com/ncaabsb/

I have also updated the first page of this post, where you can find most info.

[108 Stitches]

Anyone know how the UTT field drains? I watched some of the ASC championship games and they were start/stop due to rain and lightning, I suspect the same thing for at least Weds/Thursday. Curious how the field holds up to a rain burst.

[SoCalSoxFan]

I agree Linfield will get a Pool C outside of West.  They won't have three NWC in same regional pool.

As a regional #5 in west, CTX loss and inability to make finals will drop them out of Top 6.
Or, at the very least drop them to 6.


If TT doesn't get pool A,
TT would drop to #3 or #4 in region.
PLU would get one Pool C bid.
Linfield would get Pool C in another region.
Highest regional rank between TT and CLU gets in as second Pool C.
West 3 seed will be higher ranked than other regions comparable 3&4 seeds.


If TT does get Pool A,
PLU gets one Pool C.  Linfield as 3rd in region gets sent out.
CLU would then be west #4 but will be outside looking I as i don't thing the super secret rankings would take #4 in west.
This means another region would get flown in as second Pool C.


So, basically, only Pool A and Pool C from west 1-3 would get in.

I must say I'm surprised they sent PLU to South.

They broke up the NWC triplets.  As a Pool C, PLU was more "flexible".

D3Baseball.com prognostications had Linfield being flown out of the West Regional, to the Mid-East.

Ralph,

My surprise wasn't that they sent a NWC out of region.  I had predicted they would for some time now.

My surprise is that they didn't leave the NWC regular season winner (PLU) in the West and ship the lowest Pool C NWC team out.

PLU was #1/#2 in the West.  Shipping the #1/#2 team PLU out and keeping lower seeded Linfield in West wasn't an intuitive move.

Doing so has weakened the West region.   
Before anyone objects:  by default, shipping #1 or #2 out and keeping #3 means you have shipped what the West thinks is top 2 team out and kept a lower ranked team that is 1-4 against PLU.  To me, that means the stronger team was shipped out and the weaker of 2 was kept.

Given both are Pool C, flexibility wasn't the reason.. so what was?   

[Westside]

I agree Linfield will get a Pool C outside of West.  They won't have three NWC in same regional pool.

As a regional #5 in west, CTX loss and inability to make finals will drop them out of Top 6.
Or, at the very least drop them to 6.


If TT doesn't get pool A,
TT would drop to #3 or #4 in region.
PLU would get one Pool C bid.
Linfield would get Pool C in another region.
Highest regional rank between TT and CLU gets in as second Pool C.
West 3 seed will be higher ranked than other regions comparable 3&4 seeds.


If TT does get Pool A,
PLU gets one Pool C.  Linfield as 3rd in region gets sent out.
CLU would then be west #4 but will be outside looking I as i don't thing the super secret rankings would take #4 in west.
This means another region would get flown in as second Pool C.


So, basically, only Pool A and Pool C from west 1-3 would get in.

I must say I'm surprised they sent PLU to South.

They broke up the NWC triplets.  As a Pool C, PLU was more "flexible".

D3Baseball.com prognostications had Linfield being flown out of the West Regional, to the Mid-East.

Ralph,

My surprise wasn't that they sent a NWC out of region.  I had predicted they would for some time now.

My surprise is that they didn't leave the NWC regular season winner (PLU) in the West and ship the lowest Pool C NWC team out.

PLU was #1/#2 in the West.  Shipping the #1/#2 team PLU out and keeping lower seeded Linfield in West wasn't an intuitive move.

Doing so has weakened the West region.   
Before anyone objects:  by default, shipping #1 or #2 out and keeping #3 means you have shipped what the West thinks is top 2 team out and kept a lower ranked team that is 1-4 against PLU.  To me, that means the stronger team was shipped out and the weaker of 2 was kept.

Given both are Pool C, flexibility wasn't the reason.. so what was?

I am guessing the flexibility would still be the reason. This is purely speculation on my part...

PLU will be flying out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport. They likely will go direct to Georgia. They could go direct anywhere.
Linfield will be flying out of Portland airport. They likely will go direct to Texas. They likely can't go direct anywhere.

Seattle airport is much larger than Portland. There is a good chance Linfield would've required two flights to Georgia whereas PLU can fly direct.

It is likely much cheaper to send PLU to the South and keep Linfield in the West.

In summation... it's all about them dollars.

Disclaimer, I could be completely off here.

[SoCalSoxFan]

I must say I'm surprised they sent PLU to South.

They broke up the NWC triplets.  As a Pool C, PLU was more "flexible".

D3Baseball.com prognostications had Linfield being flown out of the West Regional, to the Mid-East.

Ralph,

My surprise wasn't that they sent a NWC out of region.  I had predicted they would for some time now.

My surprise is that they didn't leave the NWC regular season winner (PLU) in the West and ship the lowest Pool C NWC team out.

PLU was #1/#2 in the West.  Shipping the #1/#2 team PLU out and keeping lower seeded Linfield in West wasn't an intuitive move.

Doing so has weakened the West region.   
Before anyone objects:  by default, shipping #1 or #2 out and keeping #3 means you have shipped what the West thinks is top 2 team out and kept a lower ranked team that is 1-4 against PLU.  To me, that means the stronger team was shipped out and the weaker of 2 was kept.

Given both are Pool C, flexibility wasn't the reason.. so what was?

I am guessing the flexibility would still be the reason. This is purely speculation on my part...

PLU will be flying out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport. They likely will go direct to Georgia. They could go direct anywhere.
Linfield will be flying out of Portland airport. They likely will go direct to Texas. They likely can't go direct anywhere.

Seattle airport is much larger than Portland. There is a good chance Linfield would've required two flights to Georgia whereas PLU can fly direct.

It is likely much cheaper to send PLU to the South and keep Linfield in the West.

In summation... it's all about them dollars.

Disclaimer, I could be completely off here.

Sounds reasonable and much better than any other possible reason for #1/2 in West to be #2 in SE.


Delta has only 3 non-stops PDX to Atl on Tuesday, including only 1 early am.   but, chances there were enough available seats are remote.
Delta has only 3 non-stops ATL to PDX on Sunday, including early am.   But, again, chances there were enough available seats are remote.

There are 7 non-stops SEA to ATL on Tuesday, including 3 in early am.
There are 8 non-stops ATL to SEA on Sunday, including 3-4 in late am/noon.

[Ralph Turner]

Westside, the bean counters do have an impact. I think that was the reason that Millsaps came to Tyler. One fewer flight and it broke up a SAA Trifecta (BSC, Rhodes and Millsaps.)

In the West and South Regionals, I think that the "weakest" team might be Methodist, and they were #12 in last weeks NCBWA/D3baseball.com Poll.  Go figure.

I believe that the West Region has about 15-17 teams that were playoff quality this year and that same number in most years.  We are a very broad region with depth and talent well distributed.

ASC _ UTT, CTX, UTD and maybe LeTU
NWC   PLU, Linfield, Whitworth and maybe George Fox
SCAC  Trinity TX,  Centenary LA, TLU and even Southwestern had quality wins
SCIAC 5-6 deep   CLU, Pomona-Pitzer, Redlands, La Verne Redlands, Oxy and maybe Chapman.

[General Swamp]

The season goes on!  I remember how tough it was in 2009 and 2010 that very good, 30 win PLU teams were (31 and 30 respectively) left off the invite list for the regionals. In 2009, PLU tied George Fox for the title, and lost a one game playoff (soundly) at George Fox. The next year, the lost at Linfield to end the seasons. Both really tough ways to end the season, even at the hands of talented teams.  The door is open...Never know how  seeding and locations will make a difference.  I say...enjoy the ride.  It isn't often, and all these teams are very good!   Should be a great West Regional.

For PLU, there are some very good teams playing in Georgia as well.  The baseball field and Piedmont College looks amazing.  If I were going, I would be very interested in checking out the Johnny Mize displays on campus.  The Chicago style Pizza place in town has great reviews.  Bring your camera, take some time to see a new part of the country.  It looks to be warm on the 13th, and good to have an earlier game on the schedule.  Like I say, enjoy the ride!

[108 Stitches]

My surprise is that they didn't leave the NWC regular season winner (PLU) in the West and ship the lowest Pool C NWC team out.

PLU was #1/#2 in the West.  Shipping the #1/#2 team PLU out and keeping lower seeded Linfield in West wasn't an intuitive move.

Doing so has weakened the West region.   
Before anyone objects:  by default, shipping #1 or #2 out and keeping #3 means you have shipped what the West thinks is top 2 team out and kept a lower ranked team that is 1-4 against PLU.  To me, that means the stronger team was shipped out and the weaker of 2 was kept.

Given both are Pool C, flexibility wasn't the reason.. so what was?

I agree with SoCalSox and think the team and fans of PLU got the shaft, I am sure families are now re booking and looking for hotels, cars, etc. While it is exciting and fun it is also very expensive.

I personally think that the committee gave Linfield the presidence based on their history, and name, which is unfortunate.

Oh well, play on, it gives me one more team to root for outside of the region.

[NWBaseballFan10]

Can we finally get an ASC team in the World Series. We (2002 College World Series team) are getting old.

Or instead...2 NWC teams punching tickets to Appleton...I like the sound of that

[Ralph Turner]

I am guessing the flexibility would still be the reason. This is purely speculation on my part...

PLU will be flying out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport. They likely will go direct to Georgia. They could go direct anywhere.
Linfield will be flying out of Portland airport. They likely will go direct to Texas. They likely can't go direct anywhere.

Seattle airport is much larger than Portland. There is a good chance Linfield would've required two flights to Georgia whereas PLU can fly direct.

It is likely much cheaper to send PLU to the South and keep Linfield in the West.

In summation... it's all about them dollars.

Disclaimer, I could be completely off here.

+1!  Thanks for the travel check. RJT