I don't understand this!

At large invitations to post-season play after the conference tournament are determined largely by RPI. Runs scored/differential and wins against quality opponents factor large into the RPI.

As long as the NCAA is using a mathmatical model to determine the selectees, expect the starters to hang around. If you set up a limit on berths by conference then the top conferences would be under-represented. The SEC deserves a lot of berths ... they shouldn't get 9 or 10, but the overall winning record of the teams can't be questioned. They have a lot of great programs.

The teams that suffer under the mathmatical model are the mid-majors who are forced, frequently to win their conference outright in order to get a bid. Is the #9 team in the SEC better than the #2 team in (for example) the Big South? Probably yes .... but they didn't perform "In conference".

I'd like to see a modification where they used the RPI in the selection process AND required the team to finish in the top half of their conference.

It's still not going to prevent the need to run up scores unless there is a modification to the model.

HHH,
So in other words, if the schools SOS is low they need to rack up the runs? If so, that makes sense, as I have seen some highly ranked teams with low SOS rack 'em up. Or am I confused?

I don't believe run differntial is an RPI factor - tho some would like it to be

the main factors are
Division I Winning Percentage,
opponents’ Winning Percentage,
opponents’ opponents’ Winning Percentage

TPM, good luck to DK

Someday I will understand it!
Bee,
You have a PM. Good luck to AH!

Your question is a good question and one I have asked myself... I believe it is based on pure winning. I think larger D-1 coaches tend to look at the big picture and do what is in their best interest. The phrase “much needed playing time” only applies if it is in the best interest of the team. I agree with Bee (as usual). The SOS has to factor in for post season positioning and I also think they also want to give their “starters” as many reps (AB’s, pitching, and fielding opportunities) as they can. Mid-week, out of conference games, would seem to be a great opportunity to develop pitchers and position players but many stick with their starters as if it were an all important conference game. While pitchers that are not necessarily key contributors in the weekend rotation, do tend to get some mound time in blowouts and out of conference games. I think this is probably due to most coach’s philosophy that a bullpen cannot be too deep.
Just my opinion
Fungo

TPM...good input from all..IMO, at this, the next level, the playing time and development are based on the success of the team. In the early non-conf, the better teams can rely on veteran players to hold them up while giving some younger players a chance to show their wares. However, in today's game your RPI is everything, and it is now about jobs, mortgage payments, earning your scholarship $, etc. A coach has to win more these days and develop the program in 2-3 years while some older programs and coaches have had 5-10 years to develop, fund raise and build a program...these days, if he can't...he is gone.

There are many veteran coaches, but fewer and fewer, with alot of mid 100 level movement every year. The lower 100 DI coaches really move alot, or the program is so bad they don't care to change.

At the top 100 level, and for the next Minor and MLB levels, you will not see starters moving around or the changing of position players alot except during mid-week non-conf, or spring training, and then mostly at the pitching position in college.

It may be unfortunate, but it is a job now and it is tough to earn playing time or mound time unless there are injuries or alot of non-performance.

Choosing a program that fits a player is the single hardest thing to do. That is why I believe a player needs to fully understand his HS days are over and now his main motivation should be a degree...while playing a great sport. That is the challenge of Athletics..from a HS senior to a freshman again, from a senior in college to rookie ball, from the minors to MLB...it is all about the journey, and I think our kids forget that the opportunity to even be there is the miracle...and sharing it with other teammates is the pinnacle.

Great topic!

You have to develop your players. Well practice is one thing. If as a coach and i do not care what level you are talking about if you can get some players time do it. You hear coaches tell guys on the bench they have to be ready. Get them the opportunity to stay sharp. A kid sits o the bench for 2 week has not seen the field and all of a sudden a situation occurs where he is needed to fill in and now he is expected to be sharp. You have a big lead or maybe unfortunately you are on the other side of a lead. Get your pitchers some innings. How about that backup catcher. the first stringer get dinged in a big game and he has not caught live pitching for a long time. You might get in that tournament at the end of the year and you get in the situation where you might have to play 3 games in 2 days. Now you tell a kid to pitch in a big game out of necessity and his innings are minimal at best? They are on the roster for a reason.