UF,USF,Stetson,FAU,UCF,UM,FSU,FIU...
Any updates on fall's D1. Any news?
UF,USF,Stetson,FAU,UCF,UM,FSU,FIU...
UF,USF,Stetson,FAU,UCF,UM,FSU,FIU...
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The Noles look awesome.
A very experienced team with great pitching.
A very experienced team with great pitching.
I don't think that it would be going out on the limb to predict that FAU could contend for a World Series birth this year. The team has maturing players such as Mike McByrde, Robbie Widlansky, Alex Silversmith, and returning freshman pitcher of the year, Mickey Storey. Will Block, overlooked by most D1 because of size, will move right into the FAU lineup and be a force. Jordan Hafer should also be a major contributor. This is a team that is stacked offensively with some of Palm Beach and Broward County's best players that are continuely snubbed by Florida's big 3 schools. This could be their year to show them what they missed.
FAU has a sharp centerfielder coming in from Tampa Gaither. Mario is a good addition to any team.
quote:Originally posted by bigjd39:
I don't think that it would be going out on the limb to predict that FAU could contend for a World Series birth this year. The team has maturing players such as Mike McByrde, Robbie Widlansky, Alex Silversmith, and returning freshman pitcher of the year, Mickey Storey. Will Block, overlooked by most D1 because of size, will move right into the FAU lineup and be a force. Jordan Hafer should also be a major contributor. This is a team that is stacked offensively with some of Palm Beach and Broward County's best players that are continuely snubbed by Florida's big 3 schools. This could be their year to show them what they missed.
I'll probably get slammed for this but here goes. It is not intended to insult anyone, but for comments regarding the above post.
The talent on the team is incredible. My son played with many of them and Alex Silversmith caught to my son, he is awesome. They should dominate in their division. I don't think the players were snubbed by the big contenders, opportunity and choice most probably were factors in where they decided to attend.
Unfortunetly, getting to Omaha means meeting regional and super regional competition. It also depends upon the regional berths, RPI and SOS, home field advantage, which i do not believe would be awarded to them due to facilities.
This also means that almost every player on the ACC and SEC teams in FL is talented, not just a chosen few. One needs significant offense and defense to get to Omaha. And coaches need to know how to take that talent and develop it. While I believe the talent is there, getting past UF, Miami and FSU will prove to be a challenge for the coaching staff. I hope that they can rise to the occassion.
In the meantime, I wish all of those players and the team much success. They will be fun to watch this year.
FAU will be a great addition to the Sunbelt Conference in 2007. They will be a favorite every year to compete for conference titles, as they have in the A-Sun.
Getting to Omaha is tough for everyone. It's a little easier getting there hosting a regional. FAU needs more seats to host though. They understand that. Anyone can get there if they play well enough though.
Getting to Omaha is tough for everyone. It's a little easier getting there hosting a regional. FAU needs more seats to host though. They understand that. Anyone can get there if they play well enough though.
This post was not meant in any way to slight any talent on ACC or SEC teams. Do I believe that some of the players I mentioned are comparable and even better than some of the starters on those teams? Absolutely. We can't predict where FAU will end up in a regional, but in any case, they have the talent to survive it. I know the record doesn't back that up, but I don't believe FAU was ever as good as they will be this year. Should they take another trip to Miami for a regional, that would be a blessing as I don't believe Miami is as strong as in past years. Only my opinion, I could be wrong.
Mr. D-
It would be very interesting for them to win a regional. Do you happen to know the status of their new stadium project?
It would be very interesting for them to win a regional. Do you happen to know the status of their new stadium project?
There has'nt been a whole lot of news on the stadium project, which probably isn't a good thing.
Mr. D,
You are absolutely correct in stating that they probably have the best team that they have had in years. They have a strong starting rotation, but not strong enough to contend with SEC or ACC, at the end of the year, JMO. There would be nothing better than to see them take a regional, especially against Miami. By the way, Ryan Sneir was my son's mentor for quite a number of years, we wish him only the best along with his former players at one time or another, Block, Storey, Widlansky, Terpack, Culp and Silversmith and Arata, who is a dynamite ss.
However, their strength of schedule and RPI ranking may not bring them into regional contention, even with a winning record.
Miami went through some big changes last year entering the ACC. Travel and better competition I am sure will force then to make adjustments. They have tremendous talent and one of the smartest college coaches in the country and their SOS and RPI makes them an automatic contender, even if they lost half of their games. It's not that I like them any better, it's just a fact of college baseball. I only posted because people naturally asume because a team has a winning record they are on their way to Omaha automatically. It doesn't work that way, as I have learned this year. It's complicated. To state these players are snubbed because of where they play, there size, etc. is not a fair statement. I happen to know of a few players on that team who were offered opportunities to play at bigger D1 schools. However, they knew that may mean a redshirted year, but at FAU an opportunity to play every year. Smart move on their part.
A lot also depends, as I stated, on the NCAA regional and super regional playing field.
I hope that things will go well and hopefully will see them in post play. That would be terrific for the players as well as our community. I also do hope that eventually they will upgrade their facilities.
You are absolutely correct in stating that they probably have the best team that they have had in years. They have a strong starting rotation, but not strong enough to contend with SEC or ACC, at the end of the year, JMO. There would be nothing better than to see them take a regional, especially against Miami. By the way, Ryan Sneir was my son's mentor for quite a number of years, we wish him only the best along with his former players at one time or another, Block, Storey, Widlansky, Terpack, Culp and Silversmith and Arata, who is a dynamite ss.
However, their strength of schedule and RPI ranking may not bring them into regional contention, even with a winning record.
Miami went through some big changes last year entering the ACC. Travel and better competition I am sure will force then to make adjustments. They have tremendous talent and one of the smartest college coaches in the country and their SOS and RPI makes them an automatic contender, even if they lost half of their games. It's not that I like them any better, it's just a fact of college baseball. I only posted because people naturally asume because a team has a winning record they are on their way to Omaha automatically. It doesn't work that way, as I have learned this year. It's complicated. To state these players are snubbed because of where they play, there size, etc. is not a fair statement. I happen to know of a few players on that team who were offered opportunities to play at bigger D1 schools. However, they knew that may mean a redshirted year, but at FAU an opportunity to play every year. Smart move on their part.
A lot also depends, as I stated, on the NCAA regional and super regional playing field.
I hope that things will go well and hopefully will see them in post play. That would be terrific for the players as well as our community. I also do hope that eventually they will upgrade their facilities.
FAU is in the process of building a 5600 seat state of-the-art baseball stadium, some of the finest in the southeast.
They already played about 16 scrimmage games, the team look really good, with a lot of depth, and a coaching staff, second to none.
The position players they have recruited, IMO. Are some of the best freshman in the state, two IF from Nova, Block and Arata, and Duarte, a CF from Gaither, any one of them would had "play" at any top D1 in the nation.
They played for elite programs out of H.S. Those kids are gamers, also, FAU has one of the most beautiful campus in Florida, right by the beach and in Boca Raton.
Four FAU players went to the Cape, last summer.
We'll see what happens this season, when it comes to strength of schedule, FAU first 3 games will be, against SEC Champions Tennessee.
They already played about 16 scrimmage games, the team look really good, with a lot of depth, and a coaching staff, second to none.
The position players they have recruited, IMO. Are some of the best freshman in the state, two IF from Nova, Block and Arata, and Duarte, a CF from Gaither, any one of them would had "play" at any top D1 in the nation.
They played for elite programs out of H.S. Those kids are gamers, also, FAU has one of the most beautiful campus in Florida, right by the beach and in Boca Raton.
Four FAU players went to the Cape, last summer.
We'll see what happens this season, when it comes to strength of schedule, FAU first 3 games will be, against SEC Champions Tennessee.
Wasn't there a problem with burrowing owls on the site of the proposed stadium? Apparently there were also tortoises roaming the area. Both are protected species and the owls present an unusual problem in that they are the school mascot. Was that issue ever resolved?
I don't think so,the new addition will be at the same site, just on top of the old one. It wouldn't caused any problems for the owls habitat.
I remember seeing the owl borrow at the practice field last time I was there. It was roped off. Tortoises can be mitigated or relocated, at a cost. They should be OK unless there is a bald eagle nest on the site. If they are rebuilding the old park, they should be fine.
Good Luck to the talented bunch at FAU!
Keep in mind...Chemistry and Teamwork are even more important than talent.
Can you say..The Chicago White Sox?
or...The NY Yankees!?
Keep in mind...Chemistry and Teamwork are even more important than talent.
Can you say..The Chicago White Sox?
or...The NY Yankees!?
Soxnole,
No, can't say White Sox, but I do agree that chemistry and teamwork are key ingredients to a succussful team!
No, can't say White Sox, but I do agree that chemistry and teamwork are key ingredients to a succussful team!
Perhaps "snubbed" was a bad use of words. Overlooked might be more appropriate. Anyway, if you read many of my previous posts you know I tout many of the Broward kids because let's face it, I'm a homer. Can't help it. But I have seen a tremendous amount of talent from all over this country at the college, pro, and highschool level and I still believe that some of the best amateur baseball is played in South Florida. That includes 4 counties from West Palm to Key West. Of course this is no slight to the rest of the state which is flush with talent. I'm careful to say "some of the best" to cover my hind quarters. If I'm not mistaken, FAU has been at the Miami Regional for a number of years now but has had little success. While it is quite complicated to get to Omaha it isn't any more complicated then getting invited, taking the regional, and then winning the Super Regional. That's all there is to it. Eight teams do it every year and not always the same eight teams, and on some occasions there are surprises. How did St. Bonaventure from New York end up in a Miami Regional? Interesting.
BG
Perhaps, those players just wanted to go to FAU, coaches can make a big different in the recruiting process, forget about overlook...I put those three players against any other player at their position, they are top notch. Remember they all signed early, why don't you say that FAU did an excellent recruiting job? And just leave it at that.
Sox, congratulations on your team going to the WS, great coach.
FAU has a solid team with a lot of leadership and chemistry, on top of talent.
Lets play ball!
Perhaps, those players just wanted to go to FAU, coaches can make a big different in the recruiting process, forget about overlook...I put those three players against any other player at their position, they are top notch. Remember they all signed early, why don't you say that FAU did an excellent recruiting job? And just leave it at that.
Sox, congratulations on your team going to the WS, great coach.
FAU has a solid team with a lot of leadership and chemistry, on top of talent.
Lets play ball!
Mr. D,
I used to think that it was that easy before I witnessed it myself last year. It is much more complicated than getting invited.
Home field advantage is the key to getting to Omaha. Home field is not just awarded based upon a winning record, but a record of who you have played and how you came in against those top ranked teams. Bids are made and paid for home field advantage, bids ranging in the 100's of thousands of dollars, bids are awarded based on the above and facilities that can hold and field a regional. It's a dollars and sense game also. A team has to come up with the bucks (last year Clemson won a bid for 114,00) and sure made the money back by packing the stadium with a record crowd in many games of 6,000+). Also in your regional fields you can not play against conference opponents. If you do follow college sports, you will realize that schools put money into their facilities to make money in the end, whether it be recruiting the best or packing their facilities. FAU has a GREAT football team ,a great coach, I am not sure of their attendance at a stadium which is not located on their homesite. Ft lauderdale stadium is a lot different than playing at the orange bowl in terms of making money. Schools make bids hoping that they can draw enough to make up for the bid. That is why you see some of the same teams year in and year out get bids. If you look at last years CWS playing field, most of the teams hosted super regionals. It is definetly an advantage.
Regional bids are awarded depending on the winning record of the team based on RPI and SOS.
Ask a team how hard it is to get on a plane to travel 2-3 hours in a stadium filled with all the opponents fans and win a series. It's hard during season let alone during a super regional.
I think a perfect example is Stanford, have no idea why they went to Baylor, but in the end, though a tough fight, the home field advantage took its toll. I felt tehy had the better team. Now if they had won, they would have gone to Clemson, giving Clemson the advantage instead of traveling to Baylor. Stanford would have been at the bigger disadvantage due to sleeping in a hotel for weeks and lack of fans (which helps, trust me). So at any given moment, the better team might not necessarily make it to Omaha.
If you had carefully read my post, you would understand that it is just not talent but a wholelot of other things involved. I believe that a team like Coastal Carolina could have been a serious contender in Omaha but due to regional circumstances (other teams that out bid them, etc.) they had to play elsewhere. I do not agree with the placements of moving teams regionally, but I am not on the committee who awards them. Teams cannot match up with division rivals in the playing field.
I know for a FACT that some of those FAU players were offered other opportunities, and two of the players I mentioned played for two different bigger schools in our state. It was their choice to sign early as Art stated. Also mine was offered an opportunity to play, but would have had to live home for a semester, this was not what he preferred. I also know for a FACT that students from nothern Florida and US would love to come to play at FAU. They bascially have no problem in recruiting talented players.
St. Bonaventure won the Atlantic 10 championship and also ranked 10th in the NE. Those type of things get you to the regionals, however playing off your home field makes you at a disadvantage.
I have no doubt that FAU will make another regional appearance but not at home. Kick me if I am wrong. And I appreciate you being a home boy, as I am a home girl. We have much talent, but talent exits everywhere. Our hometown boys are sprinkled all over the state of FL, all over the country with many of them choosing to stay home and many choosing to play elsewhere.
My post is regarding the fact that you find it very easy to get to Omaha, based on talent alone.
JMO
I used to think that it was that easy before I witnessed it myself last year. It is much more complicated than getting invited.
Home field advantage is the key to getting to Omaha. Home field is not just awarded based upon a winning record, but a record of who you have played and how you came in against those top ranked teams. Bids are made and paid for home field advantage, bids ranging in the 100's of thousands of dollars, bids are awarded based on the above and facilities that can hold and field a regional. It's a dollars and sense game also. A team has to come up with the bucks (last year Clemson won a bid for 114,00) and sure made the money back by packing the stadium with a record crowd in many games of 6,000+). Also in your regional fields you can not play against conference opponents. If you do follow college sports, you will realize that schools put money into their facilities to make money in the end, whether it be recruiting the best or packing their facilities. FAU has a GREAT football team ,a great coach, I am not sure of their attendance at a stadium which is not located on their homesite. Ft lauderdale stadium is a lot different than playing at the orange bowl in terms of making money. Schools make bids hoping that they can draw enough to make up for the bid. That is why you see some of the same teams year in and year out get bids. If you look at last years CWS playing field, most of the teams hosted super regionals. It is definetly an advantage.
Regional bids are awarded depending on the winning record of the team based on RPI and SOS.
Ask a team how hard it is to get on a plane to travel 2-3 hours in a stadium filled with all the opponents fans and win a series. It's hard during season let alone during a super regional.
I think a perfect example is Stanford, have no idea why they went to Baylor, but in the end, though a tough fight, the home field advantage took its toll. I felt tehy had the better team. Now if they had won, they would have gone to Clemson, giving Clemson the advantage instead of traveling to Baylor. Stanford would have been at the bigger disadvantage due to sleeping in a hotel for weeks and lack of fans (which helps, trust me). So at any given moment, the better team might not necessarily make it to Omaha.
If you had carefully read my post, you would understand that it is just not talent but a wholelot of other things involved. I believe that a team like Coastal Carolina could have been a serious contender in Omaha but due to regional circumstances (other teams that out bid them, etc.) they had to play elsewhere. I do not agree with the placements of moving teams regionally, but I am not on the committee who awards them. Teams cannot match up with division rivals in the playing field.
I know for a FACT that some of those FAU players were offered other opportunities, and two of the players I mentioned played for two different bigger schools in our state. It was their choice to sign early as Art stated. Also mine was offered an opportunity to play, but would have had to live home for a semester, this was not what he preferred. I also know for a FACT that students from nothern Florida and US would love to come to play at FAU. They bascially have no problem in recruiting talented players.
St. Bonaventure won the Atlantic 10 championship and also ranked 10th in the NE. Those type of things get you to the regionals, however playing off your home field makes you at a disadvantage.
I have no doubt that FAU will make another regional appearance but not at home. Kick me if I am wrong. And I appreciate you being a home boy, as I am a home girl. We have much talent, but talent exits everywhere. Our hometown boys are sprinkled all over the state of FL, all over the country with many of them choosing to stay home and many choosing to play elsewhere.
My post is regarding the fact that you find it very easy to get to Omaha, based on talent alone.
JMO
Never said it was easy. Just not impossible, especially for a team like FAU who takes a ride down the turnpike to play in a regional against a team it's familiar with. As far as a Super Regional, sure home field has it's advantages, but it's a best of 3 series. Win 2 and your off to Omaha. It's not any more complicated than that. FAU did a great recruiting job as Coach McCormick always does. He's a coach who realizes he can build a great program without having to go out of his own backyard, and for that, I have the utmost respect for them. On another note, the Sun-Sentinel reported that 3 seniors from Douglas committed to top D1 programs. David Christianson, Miami, Brandon Holden, Florida, and Ochinko, LSU.
quote:On another note, the Sun-Sentinel reported that 3 seniors from Douglas committed to top D1 programs. David Christianson, Miami, Brandon Holden, Florida, and Ochinko, LSU.
Big congratulations to those three. Best of luck.
Mr. D,
Well, let's hope things workout very well for FAU.
College baseball IS NOT HS baseball, not even an extension of it.
Next time I speak with son's coach will give him the comforting news all he has to do is win 2 out of 3, he should sleep better at night (he claims he doesn't sleep much between ACC tourney and end of regional play). It's that simple and uncomplicated.
Well, let's hope things workout very well for FAU.
College baseball IS NOT HS baseball, not even an extension of it.
Next time I speak with son's coach will give him the comforting news all he has to do is win 2 out of 3, he should sleep better at night (he claims he doesn't sleep much between ACC tourney and end of regional play). It's that simple and uncomplicated.
Tiger Paw,
The situation at Clemson is a lot different from that of FAU in regards to the competition and the logistics. The discussion was about the possibility of FAU coming out of a Miami regional. That can happen. Then you have to beat 1 team in a best of three. If you don't believe that can happen, it never will. There was never any comparison made to high school baseball. That would be ridiculous.
The situation at Clemson is a lot different from that of FAU in regards to the competition and the logistics. The discussion was about the possibility of FAU coming out of a Miami regional. That can happen. Then you have to beat 1 team in a best of three. If you don't believe that can happen, it never will. There was never any comparison made to high school baseball. That would be ridiculous.
quote:Originally posted by bigjd39:
Tiger Paw,
The situation at Clemson is a lot different from that of FAU in regards to the competition and the logistics. The discussion was about the possibility of FAU coming out of a Miami regional. That can happen. Then you have to beat 1 team in a best of three. If you don't believe that can happen, it never will. There was never any comparison made to high school baseball. That would be ridiculous.
Your assumption is correct. It is different. My point, it is most difficult for CU to get to the CWS, so I can imagine how much harder it might be for teams that play lesser competition. I saw for myself last year, how a team could get into a regional, but chances of getting past 3 other schools was not easy.
Your original post was a generalization about reaching the CWS with talent. I never disagreed that they don't have talent, just that it takes MUCH more to get there in the end.
Winning two games out of 3, facing a top ranked team in the country is pretty difficult. FAU or any school just can't survive playing UM year in and year out in a regional. Miami didn't fair as well as expected last year, but you can bet your boots they will come back with a vengence this year. I actually do believe that the players at FAU this year could match up to Miami, but Coach Morris has too much CWS experience to know what it takes to get there. That's the difference.
As origianlly stated, I did not intend to offend anyone, just wanted to point out to you it's just very complicated.
My comment regarding HS vs college is because I really don't think you understand the workings of college baseball. I used to say to myself, this team is so good, how can they NOT ake it, but MOST of them don't.
FAU has quite a few great players, and I hope they make the jump to the "next level" as they are building a strong program. In the meantime, the Big 3 Florida baseball programs aren't slipping. They all had a top 25 recruiting class this year acording to Collegiate Baseball. You just can't ignore the fact that Florida, Miami, and FSU have reached a level of consistent success that the other Florida schools have not as yet. Last year,the Big 3 were all ranked in the top 15 nationally (Florida at #2), but no other Florida schools were.
Right now, UCF seems close to breaking into the top tier also. Their new recruiting class (which included at least two Broward players) was ranked #37. Stetson got an honorable mention. There's some great college baseball in Florida, and probably enough great players to go around so that all of the schools can be at the point where they can occasionally make a serious run at the world series.
Right now, UCF seems close to breaking into the top tier also. Their new recruiting class (which included at least two Broward players) was ranked #37. Stetson got an honorable mention. There's some great college baseball in Florida, and probably enough great players to go around so that all of the schools can be at the point where they can occasionally make a serious run at the world series.
To assume that I don't understand the workings of college baseball is unfair. I have an excellent understanding of college baseball which is why I made the case for FAU in the first place. Tell coach Cooney that he just isn't ready for prime time and then listen to his answer. It won't be much different than mine. He'll tell you it's difficult but possible. You wouldn't spend a lifetime building a program if you didn't believe you could compete with the "elites" of college baseball. I won't comment on this post any more because I feel there is an uderlying disrepect of my opinion. Go Gators.
Mr.D,
I apologize if you took exception to my post. It has nothing to do with disrespect for your opinion. I am not disagreeing with you on talent, just the presumtions that talent alone gets you to Omaha.
I just don't understand why people make assumptions how easy it should be to get to Omaha, win a regional and win a super regional and you are there. All you need is talented players. It just doesn't work that way. It's a very, very difficult road to Omaha each and every year.
When it comes down to Omaha, the top tier programs have an advantage, continually and they struggle getting there. As stated before, I myself used to think it was that easy. Ask coach at CU, 11 straight seasons of 39 wins or more, 11 consecutive NCAA regional appearances, 4 trips to omaha in 11 years. It's a struggle with the top talent in the country, let alone the state.
The difference, you HAVE to have Super Regional home field advantage.
Also, I just don't get why you are continuing alluding to the fact that our kids get snubbed from the big schools. It has nothing to do with size, etc. My son was never recruited to FSU, no letter, no calls nothing ever. Miami, letters came for years, but he was not seriously a consideration until the mid fall of his senior year. For him, he would have prefered being their top choice, not an after thought because their #1 pitcher said no. Also at that time he had seen others schools and met other coaches, Miami didn't look so dreamy anymore. Plus advice from a former player, DON'T GO THERE! As far as UF, I would say getting signed by them would not have been in his best interest. FAU asked, only because Coach knew my son through watching him play on the Pokers, son never once got a recruiting letter from them, ever in all of his HS years. Three schools in Florida, that's it, one solid offer. Sometimes being BIG or SMALL doesn't mean your state schools will automatically offer you an opportunity.
Just read the ILL thread on D1 recruiting in their state.
I apologize if you took exception to my post. It has nothing to do with disrespect for your opinion. I am not disagreeing with you on talent, just the presumtions that talent alone gets you to Omaha.
I just don't understand why people make assumptions how easy it should be to get to Omaha, win a regional and win a super regional and you are there. All you need is talented players. It just doesn't work that way. It's a very, very difficult road to Omaha each and every year.
When it comes down to Omaha, the top tier programs have an advantage, continually and they struggle getting there. As stated before, I myself used to think it was that easy. Ask coach at CU, 11 straight seasons of 39 wins or more, 11 consecutive NCAA regional appearances, 4 trips to omaha in 11 years. It's a struggle with the top talent in the country, let alone the state.
The difference, you HAVE to have Super Regional home field advantage.
Also, I just don't get why you are continuing alluding to the fact that our kids get snubbed from the big schools. It has nothing to do with size, etc. My son was never recruited to FSU, no letter, no calls nothing ever. Miami, letters came for years, but he was not seriously a consideration until the mid fall of his senior year. For him, he would have prefered being their top choice, not an after thought because their #1 pitcher said no. Also at that time he had seen others schools and met other coaches, Miami didn't look so dreamy anymore. Plus advice from a former player, DON'T GO THERE! As far as UF, I would say getting signed by them would not have been in his best interest. FAU asked, only because Coach knew my son through watching him play on the Pokers, son never once got a recruiting letter from them, ever in all of his HS years. Three schools in Florida, that's it, one solid offer. Sometimes being BIG or SMALL doesn't mean your state schools will automatically offer you an opportunity.
Just read the ILL thread on D1 recruiting in their state.
This has been a very interesting thread as well. For starters, Coach Cooney writes a column for college baseball insider and he does seem like a very impressive individual.
I agree it is important to host a regional but see its importance from a different point of view. Out of 16 regional hosts last year, 13 went on to play Super Regionals. Is that mostly due to homefield advantage? IMHO, no - it is due to the hosts in general being the best teams for that region. Baseball is not like football where the crowd can alter the outcome of a game so directly. They certainly help I'll give you that and there is no denying that sleeping in your own bed is an advantage.
If you throw a pitcher like Roy Oswalt is pitching right now, you are likely going to win the game. If you get two hot pitchers, you can go deep in the playoffs. I guess what I am trying to say is that the NCAA does a pretty good job of picking the regional hosts from year to year. Thus, the hosts are generally the teams that would win in that particular region regardless if they had homefield advantage.
I agree it is important to host a regional but see its importance from a different point of view. Out of 16 regional hosts last year, 13 went on to play Super Regionals. Is that mostly due to homefield advantage? IMHO, no - it is due to the hosts in general being the best teams for that region. Baseball is not like football where the crowd can alter the outcome of a game so directly. They certainly help I'll give you that and there is no denying that sleeping in your own bed is an advantage.
If you throw a pitcher like Roy Oswalt is pitching right now, you are likely going to win the game. If you get two hot pitchers, you can go deep in the playoffs. I guess what I am trying to say is that the NCAA does a pretty good job of picking the regional hosts from year to year. Thus, the hosts are generally the teams that would win in that particular region regardless if they had homefield advantage.
Additionally, 5 of the 8 Super Regional hosts advanced to Omaha, a lower percentage than regional hosts advancing. Teams host regionals and Supers because they have the best teams AND the facilites required to host, IMHO. Sometimes hosts get beat, though.
Is hosting helpful? Yes. Whether it is mandatory or not is purely a matter of opinion but it might be for some teams if they say it is.
http://www.ncaasports.com/baseball/mens/brackets/viewable/special64/2005/DI
Is hosting helpful? Yes. Whether it is mandatory or not is purely a matter of opinion but it might be for some teams if they say it is.
http://www.ncaasports.com/baseball/mens/brackets/viewable/special64/2005/DI
My post in no way alluded to Coach Cooney not being impressive or a poor coach.
Dad or Cleveland Dad,
How many of those teams advanced with no regional or Super Regional home advantage? I don't know, curious.
ClevelandDad,
Being host does not determine who has last at bats. It's home field, where you are most comfortable playing, sleeping in yur own bed and your fans there cheering you on, not booing.
Dad or Cleveland Dad,
How many of those teams advanced with no regional or Super Regional home advantage? I don't know, curious.
ClevelandDad,
Being host does not determine who has last at bats. It's home field, where you are most comfortable playing, sleeping in yur own bed and your fans there cheering you on, not booing.
TPM,
I fixed my last at bat comment above. Just assumed that was the case. Never good to assume. There was no implication made about Coach Cooney it was just my 2 cents that he appears like one heck of a good coach.
Good question on teams that advance without homefield adavantage and Dad04 probably has that answer. My only point is that the advancing teams seem more than likely the better teams anyways.
I fixed my last at bat comment above. Just assumed that was the case. Never good to assume. There was no implication made about Coach Cooney it was just my 2 cents that he appears like one heck of a good coach.
Good question on teams that advance without homefield adavantage and Dad04 probably has that answer. My only point is that the advancing teams seem more than likely the better teams anyways.
quote:How many of those teams advanced with no regional or Super Regional home advantage? I don't know, curious.
3 teams got out of the regionals without hosting. 3 teams got out of the Supers without hosting the Super, however all of those teams first hosted regionals. TPM, I think I am making your point for you.
Texas won the whole thing beating Ole Miss in the Super Regional in Oxford. I don't know why Texas was not a national seed but they weren't.
Arizona State was a #2 seed in the Regional while hosting. ASU then went on the road at the Cal State Fullerton Super Regional to get to Omaha.
Tennessee won the regional they hosted as #1 before going on the road to win the Super at Ga Tech to get to Omaha.
TPM and Dad04,
I think Coastal is the poster child for this current discussion. I think they were an honorary #1 seed last year and ASU was actually the #1. Coastal as you know did not have regional hosting capabilities. My point here would be that ASU was the better team in that region regardless of their #2 status in that particular region. I am sure it helped them to have the region played in Tempe rather than South Carolina however. Who knows what the effects actually are. The chicken and the egg to a certain extent if you will.
I think Coastal is the poster child for this current discussion. I think they were an honorary #1 seed last year and ASU was actually the #1. Coastal as you know did not have regional hosting capabilities. My point here would be that ASU was the better team in that region regardless of their #2 status in that particular region. I am sure it helped them to have the region played in Tempe rather than South Carolina however. Who knows what the effects actually are. The chicken and the egg to a certain extent if you will.
Cleveland Dad
ASU was the better team that weekend, CC was very tough in the regular season. I think peaking, gelling, momentum or whatever you call it is very important though in the Super.
If a team is one of 8 national seeds, hosting a Super Regional they are obviously one of the top dozen or so teams that year and more evenly matched with their opponent, another regional winner, and in this case also a Regional host.
ASU was the better team that weekend, CC was very tough in the regular season. I think peaking, gelling, momentum or whatever you call it is very important though in the Super.
If a team is one of 8 national seeds, hosting a Super Regional they are obviously one of the top dozen or so teams that year and more evenly matched with their opponent, another regional winner, and in this case also a Regional host.
Dad04,
I hear you. I talked to Coach Gilmore of CC about those games. He said that Travis Buck and Jeff Larish were like men amongst boys thoughout the college playoffs. ASU came very close to winning the whole sha-bang.
I hear you. I talked to Coach Gilmore of CC about those games. He said that Travis Buck and Jeff Larish were like men amongst boys thoughout the college playoffs. ASU came very close to winning the whole sha-bang.
ClevelandDad,
Just my point, if Coastal had ben able to host I really do believe things would or could have gone better for them.. Facilities are a big factor in the scheme of things.
Also, surprisingly I realized that there is no such thing as home team until the coin flip, something I was not aware of.
I still see no sense in schlepping way across country. That was an unfair advantage.
Dad04,
I know that you are helping me to make my point.
It is just that after really understanding the workings of the road to Omaha, some have to put genralizations aside.
Just my point, if Coastal had ben able to host I really do believe things would or could have gone better for them.. Facilities are a big factor in the scheme of things.
Also, surprisingly I realized that there is no such thing as home team until the coin flip, something I was not aware of.
I still see no sense in schlepping way across country. That was an unfair advantage.
Dad04,
I know that you are helping me to make my point
.It is just that after really understanding the workings of the road to Omaha, some have to put genralizations aside.
Bruised and beaten I return for some input on UF. The lineup should remain formidable with Davis, Laporta, Jeroloman, and Leclerc back but the big question is the pitching. Ball and O'Day are the only pitchers with considerable time on the mound. Who steps up? God forbid I rout for Tommy Wynn, who left STA for Rich Hoffman. What the hell, he's a Gator now so all is forgiven. Help me out baseball webbers, whose the number 2?
The Gators do have holes in the rotation. They graduated Tommy Boss. Alan Horne and Connor Falkenbach turned pro. Steven Locke is good and he is back for year 2.
I watched Michael Branham throw a few innings in late July. He was a very strong RHP hitting 93 on a Sunday afternoon. He was a little rusty as he pitched little in the spring, but could round into shape with work this fall. If not for a tough spring his senior year, he might be getting ready for his second pro season right now.
I keep waiting for 6-7 Sr. Chris Madson to put it together. Maybe this year. Steven Porter is a good lefty in his third year.
Like everyone else, they have new faces that need to step up on the mound. They will score runs. LaPorta is a great player and he has plenty of help at the plate. Leclerc is Mr. Clutch.
They will be good, but will need some pleasant surprises on the mound from Wynn and others to get back to Omaha.
I watched Michael Branham throw a few innings in late July. He was a very strong RHP hitting 93 on a Sunday afternoon. He was a little rusty as he pitched little in the spring, but could round into shape with work this fall. If not for a tough spring his senior year, he might be getting ready for his second pro season right now.
I keep waiting for 6-7 Sr. Chris Madson to put it together. Maybe this year. Steven Porter is a good lefty in his third year.
Like everyone else, they have new faces that need to step up on the mound. They will score runs. LaPorta is a great player and he has plenty of help at the plate. Leclerc is Mr. Clutch.
They will be good, but will need some pleasant surprises on the mound from Wynn and others to get back to Omaha.
Dad04,
How do you see Gavin Dickey fitting in? I like his atleticism and think he would look great in the leadoff spot. Actually, I think he'd fit real nice in the spread option offense but it doesn't look like Meyer is ever going to give Leak a breather.
How do you see Gavin Dickey fitting in? I like his atleticism and think he would look great in the leadoff spot. Actually, I think he'd fit real nice in the spread option offense but it doesn't look like Meyer is ever going to give Leak a breather.