Commentary please on the quality of play in the D2 Wood Bat NE10 vs D3 Metal GNAC here in the Northeast?
Is it more a comparison of teams/schools than it is conferences?
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No comparison. With the possible exception of St. Joe's in a really good year, the NE10's weakest teams would beat the GNAC's best easily.
Holden is right on the money...absolutely no comparison. Some D-III's that might compete in that conference would only include the very best...i.e. Eastern CT, Keene St., top of MASCAC, WNEC...and they'd likely be middle of the packers in a good year.
It does seem that WITHIN the NE10 there is a big difference between the top and bottom teams, thus my question might be fine tuned to whether the bottom dwellers of the NE10 might be less challenging than the top dwellers of the GNAC?
So far based on the two responses it seems not. Thanks, and please continue commenting.
So far based on the two responses it seems not. Thanks, and please continue commenting.
One factor that plays a part is scholarships in the NE-10. Not all schools offer athletic aid for baseball.
Depth is another factor. I believe one of the teams in the conference had a couple of horses that they rode to a spectacular season a few years ago, but have struggled the last couple of years. The "bottom dwellers" just might not have the depth that some other teams have, namely in the pitching department.
Depth is another factor. I believe one of the teams in the conference had a couple of horses that they rode to a spectacular season a few years ago, but have struggled the last couple of years. The "bottom dwellers" just might not have the depth that some other teams have, namely in the pitching department.
One tidbit that I learned this year that I didn't realize is that even if a school may offer scholarships for baseball, they may not be funded to offer all that they are allowed.
I believe the baseball limit is 11.7 for Div 1 and 9 for Div 2 total scholarships (feel free to correct these numbers) but within the same division some teams may only be funded to offer a smaller amount. So if one D2 team is funded for all 9 scholarships while another is only funded for 5, then that would dramatically affect the number of quality players they can recruit.
This may have been well understood by everyone else but it was something I didn't think about before and it is probably a good question to ask when talking to schools.
BAC
I believe the baseball limit is 11.7 for Div 1 and 9 for Div 2 total scholarships (feel free to correct these numbers) but within the same division some teams may only be funded to offer a smaller amount. So if one D2 team is funded for all 9 scholarships while another is only funded for 5, then that would dramatically affect the number of quality players they can recruit.
This may have been well understood by everyone else but it was something I didn't think about before and it is probably a good question to ask when talking to schools.
BAC
From what I've learned so far, D2 schools are required by the NCAA to offer athletic scholarships in baske tball. They are free to decide, up to limits, what to offer in any other sport but have no obligation to do so.
For baseball, I've been told that St. Mike's does not offer them, and that St. A's has a VERY limited amount. Have not inquired of the others.
For baseball, I've been told that St. Mike's does not offer them, and that St. A's has a VERY limited amount. Have not inquired of the others.
I believe about half of the teams offer scholarships for baseball, so thats about 8 of the NE-10...think it might be time for a name change.These are the ones I'm sure offer them (I believe Pace, St Rose, Le Moyne, and Assumption could be added on)
Southern Connecticut
Franklin Pierce
Southern New Hampshire
UMass Lowell
Adelphi
New Haven
Southern Connecticut
Franklin Pierce
Southern New Hampshire
UMass Lowell
Adelphi
New Haven
Funding varies tremendously. Have first hand experience with FP and UML....the difference? FP rules the school and offered close to 50% of 45k per year...UML has 20k total, for the ENTIRE program. It's a credit to Kenny Harring that they are so competitive. Lelacheur Stadium is really their only selling point baseball wise. If you are a smart kid, and get aid academically, that's a great option.
