Unless something strange happens, this will be my last post on Northern Sun Baseball. It was a good run. I enjoyed learning about blogging and am grateful for the response from readers and coaches. While my son had a very good summer playing baseball (starting pitcher in Townball CCVL vs. CVL All-Star game) I believe his desire to play college baseball is over and with it ends any desire I have to continue blogging about the Northern Sun Baseball Conference.
So I’m taking my ball and leaving the baseball blogging world. I’ll get my writing fix by continuing to blog about real estate and life in Dakota County Minnesota here – http://www.dakotacountyproperties.com/
Thanks one last time to the regulars who made it hard to leave last year. Your continued patronage was appreciated.
Best wishes and may your love of baseball continue.
Bill Wallace
Northern Sun Baseball Blog
Northern Sun Baseball 
Let me be the first to say THANKS and good luck with everything you and your son encounter in the future. I’ve enjoyed many post on this site and it’s safe to say it will be surly missed.
What John said.
Thanks
So yesterday, I went to Wayne and watched my boy and Johnny Plasha play in an Alumni game. And then I get this email on the phone that my favorite baseball blog is packing it up and going home.
I guess the one thing we can’t stop is time and it appears that we are all moving into the next phase. Personally, I’m ready now for the grandson’s to begin arriving and the next generation beginning to play this great game.
Fish, thanks for everything.
Thanks for all you have done. It was an awesome site for those of us away from our kids to share experiences and discuss baseball.
Good Luck to you and your son in future times ahead.
You did a good thing here sir!
Thank you!!
This is a test!
Testing from Pennsylvania? Metrodome collapse has cancelled all of the indoor games for the colleges in the Upper Midwest. Over 250 games lost. Sad
Very sad. WSC had the 1st 8 or so games scheduled there. Now they’re going to USI instead. To bad cause Sr. was gonna meet Jr. for a few games in the dome. Just can’t stay away I guess!
Congrats CU17Dad and WOW. Hats off to the boys!
Thanks Sr. WOW congrats to you as well. Practice will soon be underway. Hope everyone stays healthy and has a good year
Word on the street is that Wayne’s first outing next weekend is being changed from NK at Emporia because of 14″ snow to somewhere in Colorado.
My Bad. Series just got moved up a day from Friday/Saturday to Thursday/Friday.
One in a series of profiles from the Winter 2011 issue of Champion magazine.
St. Cloud State shortstop at the top of the order
By David Pickle
NCAA.org
Winning election as mayor of his hometown took a bit of footwork for St. Cloud State shortstop Kent Koch. The 23-year-old went door-to-door in tiny Loretto, Minn., after the former mayor waged a write-in campaign just before the election.
When the new mayor of Loretto, Minn., experiences an unexpected challenge this year, he’ll be ready. Kent Koch has already learned to handle the occasional odd bounce.
That’s because Koch, who was elected mayor Nov. 2, plays shortstop for the St. Cloud State baseball team. He’s not an alumnus or even a recent graduate. Instead, he’s a 23-year-old, cap-wearing, glove-toting, bat-wielding student-athlete.
Koch is a fifth-year senior who faced a light academic load for his final semester this spring. After considerable thought, he decided to complete his finance major with a management course – and to serve as mayor of Loretto if elected.
“I thought I’d get a little bored with only one class to go,” Koch said.
The pursuit of the position was hardly a lark for Koch, a lifelong resident of Loretto (population 609), about 20 miles west of Minneapolis.
“I’m planning on returning home after I graduate and trying to get a job around the cities,” he said. “I was planning on living at home. It’s a two-year term. So I figured everything just kind of lined up and I’d give it a shot. I know we’ve got to work a lot with budgets and things like that. Being a finance major, I felt like I could contribute positively along that aspect.
“And I feel very strongly for my town. I’ve grown up there and lived there my whole life, and I’m definitely interested in the decisions that go on.”
“I feel very strongly for my town. I’ve grown up there and lived there my whole life, and I’m definitely interested in the decisions that go on.” – Kent Koch, fifth-year senior at St. Cloud State and mayor of Loretto, Minn.
Getting the job turned out to be a bit more of a challenge than Koch expected. Nobody else filed to run for mayor, so Koch was cruising toward every politician’s dream: an uncontested election. Then came a surprise.
“A week and half before the election, one of the town members came up in the paper with running a write-in campaign against me,” Koch said.
The new candidate wasn’t just any citizen. It was the former mayor.
“He had already been the mayor previously for 10 years,” Koch said. “He’s been in town for a while, so it was like, oh, gee, I’ve got to campaign and get as many votes as I can. So I went door-to-door for a few nights and talked to different people. It was a good time, and it was nice meeting some of the town members that I hadn’t met before.”
Fortunately for Koch, door-to-door campaigning in Loretto was possible on short notice since the town is only one-half mile square. On election night, he got the news that he had won with 61 percent of about 300 votes cast.
Kent Koch takes office as mayor on January 11, 2011 at the city hall in Loretto, Minnesota
Koch took office in January, and he knows that the first five months will be difficult as he completes his management class, plays baseball and makes frequent 45-mile commutes from St. Cloud to Loretto. To prepare, he has already laid the political groundwork by reaching out to the other four Loretto council members. He also plans to rely on the town’s small but effective paid staff.
Coach Pat Dolan has faith in his shortstop – and no regrets about giving him the green light to run for public office, no matter how seriously the Huskies take their baseball (they finished just one win short of the Division II College World Series last year).
“Kent has been our team’s SAAC representative and has done a considerable amount of community-service work during his time at St. Cloud State,” Dolan said. “I know that Kent is very excited about the challenge of being mayor of Loretto, and he is the type of guy who makes the time to meet his commitments.”
The new mayor plans to do just that.
“I got a few jeers from people – like why would you want to do this?” Koch said. “I just told them straight up it’s something I feel strongly about. I’m interested in the town and the direction that the town goes. I’m not really sure at this point if it’s going to involve going up for re-election, or if it’s going to be one-and-done or how it’s going to go. But it’s going to be a learning experience for sure
A fine article. Several NSIC players made the Tino Martinez watch list.
Nate Baughman Augie
Bryan lippincott Concordia
Zach Rowles Minnesota State
Blake Schwartz Minnesota State
Joey Benke Saint Cloud
Jordan Smith Saint Cloud
Tony Mueller Winona
I’ll be watching from a distance. Good Luck to all.
February 22, 2011 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#23 Nate Baumann
OF, 6-1, 200, Sr., R/R
Marshall, Minn.
Marshall HS
Augustana
Nate Baumann batted .529 (9 for 17) with nine RBIs for Augustana last weekend as the Vikings went 3-1 in a pair of doubleheaders with the Colorado School of Mines. Last year’s NSIC’s Player of the Year recorded four doubles, a triple and a home run. He also scored nine runs and stole three bases.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#17 Bennett Johnson
LHP, 6-4, 195, So., L/L
Minneapolis, Minn.
Southwest HS
Augustana College
Bennett Johnson picked up his first collegiate win against the Colorado School of Mines on Saturday. The sophomore worked 5.0 innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out five Orediggers. He gave just three hits and had a 1.80 ERA for the Vikings. Johnson also held his opponent to a .167 batting average.
Great job. What a way to start off the season! I’m sure you liked the senery also. I had the pleasure of stoping by there (Colo Sch Mines) last Feburary and even though Wayne’s games were cancled because of 3 or 4″ of snow, the view from the mountian road overlooking the field, is still fresh in my mind. Would love to visit there again. Good luck to “all” the rest of the way.
Just read where CU came out on the short end of a 10 inning thriller with our local D-2 power West Chester U. I follow this team closely as my daughter just graduated from there this past year. A regular world series participant they look to be strong again this year after picking up 4 D-1 transfers. Next up is SWMS in a twin-bill today and Mankato Wednesday. To bad Jr had an offer to play there instead chose a well known D-2 power in Nebraska. Just think of the money I coulda saved on air fare!
Oh Yea, I forgot to mention, West Chester U. is 20 minutes from where Sr. hangs his hat!
It was tough loss for the Golden Bears. CU led 8 to 1 in the 9th with 1 out. West Chester rallied with a little help from CU defense. Talented team from Pa. They arrived the day of the game after an 18 hour bus ride.
Game 2 was against Ashland.
Ashland is a very good teasm. Lots of speed and quality hitters.
How bout them huskies! Go Tide!
And the tide be changin!
How does Winona State play Crookston, Northern, Mary, Bemidji, 4 games every single year and not play Mankato, St. Cloud and some of the other top teams?
On my way back from watchen Wayne split a twin bill with Northern. Wasn’t real happy till I saw where St. Cloud topped Minn. State both games Saturday. Then I felt all better. Way to go Coach Dolan and the boys too.
You mean you weren’t happy that Wayne was bunting with a 9 run lead? Then I remember you complaining that Kinney took a 3-0 cut with a 11 run lead. Same thing if you as me. Wayne showed they had no class this weekend, but everyone already knows that. They also showed that they are on the decline after splitting with northern. Wayne will be lucky to make the conference tourney.
Wasn’t there to see this “Classless Act” as you call it BUT I can’t say I see anything wrong with it. I don’t hear you say Wayne was stealing, only bunting. We’re talking about playing Small Ball here with a 9 run lead not trying to swing for the fences with an 11 run lead! I must have hit close to home with my comment last year about a young Mr. Kinney trying to pour it on but I blame that on youth. That’s not nearly as bad as a balless adult hiding behind the name “Anonymous” Have a nice day.
Personally I am glad the spring season is about to begin in earnest. CU has not had any luck with the weather like most of the rest of the NSIC.
Looks like St. Cloud state isn’t as tough as everyone thinks after losing 3 of 4 at home. Is winona really that good?
3-4 SCSU/WSU games were 2 run games late and could’ve went either way. 18-6 is not to bad, especially after playing Mankato, SW and Winona, who are “that good.” Don’t forget they started 5-1 with a combined scores of 60+ to 15 vs two other solid opponents. Playing Crookston, Northern and Upper Iowa to start the conference off did help Winona though.
I mean i guess from what i heard St. Cloud state is a one man team. I looked at the box scores and smith was the only reason st. cloud scored
I was reading the game blog Saturday while listening to CU and Bemidji. It sounds like both games were very competitive. SCSU hit more at them balls. Pitching sounds (on the blog) like it was pretty good.
Unfortunately CU lost 2 more games to weather. That makes 15 so far. Weather Tuesday at UIU looks to be decent.
Winona is that good. Look at the ERA, errors, BA, Slugging and on base.
I totally agree….The pitching has been great for them all year, they have 6 quality starters and some very nice relief.
nice
Two weeks left. Top 3 teams are in solid position for the tournament. Slots 5 and 6 are up for grabs. Hopefully CU can right the ship and do well this week.
Wayne played well, got timely hits, and responded well to the CU challenges in their sweep.
I thought I’ve seen about everything at a baseball game until today in Cosmos. After a no hitter/10-0 win a team walks off the field and doesn’t play game two of an important doubleheader that affects more than just the Northern State or St. Cloud State teams.
I heard about Northern State leaving and not playing the second game against St Cloud. From what I heard I guess the two coaches discussed playing the second with the umps as the Northern State coach didn’t want to play(guess you can’t blame him since his team got no hit and had 10 runs scored against him). The umps conferred with the coaches and it was determined that the field and weather conditions were deemed “playable” When the umps called for the coaches to meet at home, the Northern State coach said his team was leaving and not playing. What does this mean for both Northern State and St Cloud? I know Northern is heading into a very BIG series against Concordia this weekend. That could possibly have the Northern team leap frog into the playoffs if they take 3 or 4 games from Concordia. St Cloud has Crookston and is log jammed at the top of the conference with Winona and Minnesota State.
Was this a move by Northern to save pitching for this weekend in hopes to have a better chance to take games at Concordia? I guess I don’t know since the umps said the conditions were good to play ball. Where is the line drawn for playing and not playing games in the NSIC? I know the conditions weren’t ideal, but everyone has been playing in 40 degree weather with precipitation this year. Thoughts?
This is D2 baseball in Minnesota, gentlemen! Guess what, its gonna be cold and it might snow a little bit….Play ball! Even though thats all that needs to be said, I just feel I have to express my opinion on this situation and a few thoughts on Berry. First if all, the number one priority as a collegiate baseball coach is to be the leader of young men and teach the principles and essence of manhood.
Berry….what a shame! You get your tail kicked and refuse to play game #2….the you tell your “Wolves” to get on the bus and save some pitching for the weekend? You’re a failure and a huge coward…period! Forfeit the game and apoogize to your team, SCSU, your team, the conference, and man UP! ITS YOUR JOB!
You know what else falls under the category of “Coward”? Posting under the name “Anonmous”
as a Northen follower, i feel shamed to say that i am associated with this ball team. WE ROLLED OVER AND LEFT WITH OUR TAILS BETWEEN OUR LEGS IN THE MOST DISGRACEFUL WAY POSSIBLE. whats the point of having umpires and higher authority in this league if the coach wants to cancel a game? what if the sun was to hot and the field was to dry and hard? what if it was too windy? the list of excuses can go on and on. baseball is a game of integrity and a game that requires respect for itself as well as opponents, fans, umpires, etc. no one liked the kid on the playground that took his ball and went home so the rest of us couldn’t play anymore. and when we drive as far as we do with gas prices to watch games, its a shame. yes, st cloud is the better team, yes we were probably going to lose, yes we do need wins vs concordia. play the game the way it is meant to be played, have fun, compete, try to WIN! not make excuses for your players or yourself
The weather has not been good this spring. If it was possible to play without risk of injury it should have been played.
The umpires are the decision makers on playability. If the field becomes unplayable play should stop.
Last Friday Wayne and Concordia played in miserable conditions. It started as a drizzle in game 1 and finished with rain at the end of game 2. I was not there but parents and players alike agreed it was not good baseball weather. Wayne won the game and Saturday was anotehr nicer day weather wise.
Northern area baseball in the spring will test players, fans, and coaches.
What an absolute disgrace to baseball. Duluth and Southwest played up 94 a little bit and found a way to get the games in.
It was obvious from the start that Berry didn’t want to play this series. First of all St. Cloud offered to go to Northern and play on tuesday, and they were told all the fields around there were unplayable(even though rumors have it that there was a game played on Northerns field Tuesday night), then when St. Cloud secured Minnetonkas turf field to play on Wed Northern said no(remember that there is an NSIC rule that says if a game is being played on a neutral field, both teams have to agree), Then St cloud got the Alexandria field but couldn’t start until 5, Northern said that that was too late, then finally when they secured the Carlos field for a 3:30 start, Northern agreed. Probably figuring that he was out of denials. Then during game 1 the St. Cloud staff could figure out that something was going on and when the game got done Northern started acting like it was leaving. After a lot of phone calls, the teams got together with the umpires and the umpires said, this field is playable, lets go. Northern said, no, we’re going home. Remember this decision was made around 6:00 and the temp was 41, and there had not been any rain for a while.
Now Butch is having a hard time deciding whether or not this should be a forfeit or not. You gotta be kidding me. It should not only be a forfeit, but also a suspension for the coach Berry. Nice lessons that you are teaching your kids there.
WAIT A MINUTE NOW! Seems to me on good word that Mr. Raymond, the venerable commissioner of the NSIC, brought this issue up to member coaches a year ago or so… putting an emphasis on doing everything to get the games in!!! Berry, in his first year at Northern, maybe didn’t get this message.
Stand up & do what is right as a commissioner of a solid baseball conference, Mr. Raymond. A lot of people are watching out here and expect you do rule appropriately.
Berry is a firt-year coach at Northern and maybe didn’t get the message. I feel overall from observing afar that 95 percent of the time the NSIC coaches have done a great job of moving games around and also to alternative sites, planning around weather etc.
Mr. Raymond, you better than anybody can realize how vital fundraising is these days and for fans & supporters to go the extra mile to help support a winning colleigate program, namely a non-revenue sport such as baseball. Now, if this kind of thing is going to occur, I say what’s the point?! We expect everybody to keep up their end of the bargain.
Furthermore, this is FOR THE YOUNG STUDENT-ATHLETES! You play the games (if conditions are deemed playable). To duck around the issue and avoid a game like Northern did in this instance is not acceptable.
Please please please hear us out here in Huskyland! I’m sure after you explore all the facts you will agree that SCSU deserves an extra win…. Oh, of course, this win is IMPORTANT as it moves SCSU into a second-place tie with a very good Winona ball team.
One other point to be made on this and that it’s not just about St. Cloud State. Think about the conference tournament berths that are at stake. If Northern ends up qualifying by a mere few percentage points … and the umpires deemed the field in Carlos “playable” Wednesday and stated the teams should play a second ballgame … then what happens to, say, a Bemidji State or another program, for example, that is on the outside looking in, missing the tournament?
IS THIS WHAT WE WANT COACHES TO BE EXAMPLES OF? I think not. I think Raymond holds them and everybody to a high standard. Look, this NSIC is even a stronger conference now since the merger with the NCC a few years ago.
If Raymond lets this slide, I think a lot of people will be asking a lot more questions. As CU17dad stated above in his referene to the Wayne/Concordia games played in the drizzle/rain recently, this all goes along with spring sports.
It seems pretty obvious to me that after one game of a double header is completed, a team refusing to play the next game even though the umpires have deemed the fields playable, should be credited with a loss while the team willing to play should be credited with a win. Where’s the question in this situation?
I totally agree with Mr. Welch’s comments. What’s taking Mr. Raymond so long to decide on this? In my opinion, this is a no-brainer.
I have noticed on the NSIC website that the SCSU/NSU game is still being listed as cancelled and has not been changed to a forfeit yet. You’re kidding, right Butch? If this game stands as a cancellation, that is a huge hit to the leagues integrity.
Here is the article about Wednesdays game from the Aberdeen paper.
College Baseball: St. Cloud pitcher no-hits Northern
From Staff Reports
CARLOS, Minn. – In a road baseball game for both teams St. Cloud State shut out Northern State in the small town of Carlos, Minn., located north and west of St. Cloud.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader was moved due to wet fields. St. Cloud State beat Northern 10-0 in seven innings as Huskies pitcher Scott Lieser threw a no-hitter on Wednesday to improve to 6-0 on the season. The teams did not play the second game.
“The playing conditions were horrendous,” said NSU baseball coach Dean Berry. “It snowed the entire game. We probably shouldn’t have even played the first game.”
Lieser struck out 10 batters and only walked one as the Wolves stranded four runners on base.
The Huskies scored in every inning and were led by Jordan Smith and Brian Hansen with two hits each.
“Lieser was good. They didn’t even have much offense but timely hits,” Berry said.
This article is actually pretty funny when you think about it.
–Berry says that the conditions were “horrendous” and that it snowed the entire game.
Not once in game 1 did Berry come uot to complain to the umpires about the field conditions.
–“They didn’t even have much offense but timely hits”
SCSU scored 10 runs total and scored in every inning. If you want to consider a timely hit getting a hit every time someone got on base, you’re probably correct.
And so it is Friday….Butch Raymond’s decision apparently has not been made. This fact in itself repesents a lack of leadership and outright embarassment for the NSIC.
If he so much as rules in the favor of Northern State, it will establish a horrible precedence for years to come.
Speaking of which, rain clouds are rolling into St. Cloud as we speak. I sure hope Crookston decides to get off the bus to play and doesn’t go home.
I wouldn’t go so far to say “embarassment” or lack of leadership. I just assume Mr. Raymond is taking his time listening to what both coaches and umpires have to say & will make a decision accordingly.
As for establishing a horrible precedent, no question about it. If the commissioner doesn’t send the right message this time and be firm, well then parents like me, fans & supporters all should stop trying so hard doing whatever it is they’re doing to help their school’s baseball program be successful. It is true, yes, that bad weather & the nature of scheduling games will always hinder a true conference champion. Most of us accept that. But, when umpires say play ball and one team doesn’t oblige that cannot be tolerated.
As someone stated, it seems like overall the coaches do a great job of working to get games in. It isn’t easy, but it comes with the territory. Truth is, these young student-athletes are pretty intelligent people. They know when a coach is “ducking” games so that they can make a more favorable situation for themselves. This behavior only follows a coach in the recruiting process and isn’t something a young man will be impressed with. They go to school to get an education. But, they also put in a lot of hard work to play college ball. Ultimately, this kind of thing will hurt a coach more than help him.
Let’s make a little scenerio here. Since the NSIC and Regional Standings are pretty dang tight between Minnesota State and SCSU what would happen in this case. SCSU now holds the #1 ranking in the regional standings, which means they would host the regional tournament. We all pretty much could make an argument that who ever wins the NSIC tournament probably will be in the #1 slot for the Region. Say the NSIC Championship does come down to Minnesota State and SCSU. SCSU doesn’t want to lose their standing as the Regional #1 Seed. If it’s sunny outside can Coach Dolan say that he fears for his players safety and doesn’t want them to develop skin cancer from the ultraviolet rays and walk off the field saying we aren’t going to play this game? What would Commissioner Raymond do in that scenerio? I could see a bunch of different scenerios coming up for those teams jocking to make the playoffs. Why play the tougher teams in the conference when you can just say you aren’t playing becuase you don’t want to take the loss. What a FREAKING JOKE! The NSIC office better do what is best for baseball and all the players that work their butts off all year round to play games or this could be the laughing stock decision ever made in the NSIC.
As I am watching this scenario unfold I am getting more and more bothered that it is taking Commissioner Raymond so long to make his decision. This would really seem like a no brainer. If the umpires, who are hired by the league and assigned by the league deemed this a playable field, someone should be held accountable for this game not being played. As the previous writer stated, what happens next year or any of the following years when a team decides, for whatever reason, that they don’t want to play someone in a game. Can they just opt out of that game? If this isn’t ruled a forfeit, it sets a terrible precedent.
And if Butch rules that way, is he making a statement that he doesn’t care about baseball in our conference. I know that its not his precious basketball, but he needs to rule impartially on all the sports. Not just let something slide because its not one of his major sports.
Baseball the past three days:
Northern State refuses to play in Minnetonka and Alexandria and does nothing to find a field in SD, but yet SDSU and UM play in brookings and there is a scheduled Tuesday night game in the hometown of Dean Berry only an hour from Aberdeen.
Northern State finally agrees to play in Carlos and gets no hit and 10 runned. Thirty minutes later Northern decides to QUIT playing with temps in the low 40’s and no wind and no rain. Minnetonka is just starting their next games two hours away and gets done at 9:30pm and the Twins get done playing that same night at 10:30.
Two days later UM Crookston DOES WHAT’S BEST FOR THE GAME and travels to St. Cloud to take on SCSU at 7:30pm. In a continuous rain and 20+mph winds blowing straight in from left field THEY PLAY. And then 30 minutes after game 1 and at 10:35pm they start game 2.
BUT NORTHERN CAN DECIDE NOT TO PLAY??
So I’m hearing Gardy might not exchange line ups tomorrow night, as he has some injuries and the team isn’t playing well.
Wonder what the 40,000 fans would do?
And I wonder what the fans thought at Carlos when NSU QUIT?
It appears that this blog isn’t the only one getting the attention of what has happened recently between Northern State and SCSU. Sobieski message board has been lit up too with many fans chiming in on this subject. I think baseball18 puts everything into perspective. For Mr Raymond to demand that SCSU go to Wayne State two years ago under that situation, why would he not have Northern play SCSU in the 2nd game Wednesday at Carlos. Please read his comment at the following link to fully understand: http://sobieskiskis.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=2715&page=8
If the umps called their boss and all of them decided the conditions were playable and called for the first pitch, how come this decision isn’t easy for the NSIC? Why have umps at games then? Why pay for any umps if they have no authority?
Fact: The National Weather service had the temperature at the start of the 2nd game at 41 degrees. There was no precipiation. The winds were calm all at Carlos, MN. Yet in Minnetonka the HS played their game until 9:30 in 39 degree weather and a light snow/rain mixture. Plus the Twins played until close to 10:30 where the game ending temp was 38 degrees with snow/rain mix throughout the entire last 6 innings of the game. Why? Because that is what you do….you PLAY the game, you don’t pack up after you get NO HIT and run with your tail between your legs.
What will this set up for the future if this isn’t ruled a forfeit? I will tell you……teams that don’t want to play some of the tougher teams in the league will make up excuses of all kinds so they don’t have to play. Too many mesquitos, too sunny, too hot, too cold, weather isn’t perfect, blah blah blah….. What I am saying here is this will open a huge can of worms if this goes down as anything less than a forfeit. Mr Raymond…..be prepared for the decision you make.
If an NSIC team gets to decide who they’ll play and who they won’t then why would Concordia #6 play St. Cloud #3 next week? Concordia doesn’t have much to gain and a lot to lose. Seems the umpires don’t decide if a game gets played but a Comishoner does. Wait, no one has heard from Mr. Raymond. Sure would be nice to know if St. Cloud played a double header last weekend?
Mr. Raymond, the way to end all this controversy would be to step to the plate and make a ruling. Doesn’t seem to be a very difficult call. I guess if this isn’t a forfeit then the umpires are powerless in the future and more of the same will occur in the future. Nice….
As an umpire I know a lot of us are watching this ruling from Commissioner Raymond. I wasn’t there at the game, so I can’t speak as to the specifics. But from what I understand the head Umpire was consulted between games and the feeling between him and his two umpires was that the field and playing conditions were deemed to be playable and the first pitch for game two was called by the home umpire. That would mean according to the rules that govern and protect the great game of baseball, that this other team by getting on their bus and leaving would forfeit the game. I would sure hope the commissioner would follow by these rules and not try to over rule the decision of the game umpires, their head umpire after consulting with him, and these rules that govern baseball. If so, expect there to be a lot of upset umpires around the league, area, and across the country as I have heard this ruling is being watched by more than just NSIC teams, umps, and baseball fans.
I’ve been following this a little from afar and considering this weekends weather in the cities, how about if Lunch just decides that they won’t play any of the games, thus not giving Northern any chance to catch Concordia. That would be a little fitting and ironic now, wouldn’t it? Now I know that as classy a guy as he is Lunch would never stoop to this level, but it would be funny to see the Northern coaches reaction at that point.
CU Hat guy, Great point about Lunch not playing Northern. I bet Berry would be upset too considering his team is on the outside of the playoffs looking in and decisively needs these games and to take 3 out of 4 from Concordia. One thing I do find interesting after reading some of these posts is the “rules guy” post about showing up the umpires as a commissioner. That does speak volumes and I can see why umpires around the league would be upset if this is ruled a no contest or cancelled game. the commissioner just stripped ALL AUTHORITY away from the umpires. Hope there is careful consideration being made on this decision since it’s taking so long. The last thing you want to do is make the umpires powerless and upset.
Northern State at Concordia-St. Paul Cancelled
Cancelled due to rain and field conditions
Per NSIC web page.
Classic Lunch! Have a great dinner Berry!
St. Cloud State at Minnesota, Crookston 7 Innings
Date changed due to rain
What? It wasn’t cancelled?
Classy! Coach Vito, Lunch should buy you Dinner!
The only thing better than Lunch bying Dinner for Vito when Berry is asking why the games are cancelled is the Beavers beating Winona.
An entire another story, but Winona “gets to again” play Bemidji, Mary, Crookston and Northern 4x=16 games and gets mom’s good cooking on easter break.
Winona was also at, St. Cloud, Augie, Mankato, and Wayne. 4 of the top 5 teams in the league.
Concordia cancells with Northern today and “the presedent is set.”
Concordia vs. Norhtern Sunday with no games Monday?
Well, at least Northern will have their stafff fully rested for the final weekend with their next mid week bye.
Can you say “back fire?”
Someone better win 2 Sunday to move up!
The heart of the matter:
Everyone knows Butch Raymond has it out for St. Cloud State. And so, the ugly consequences are playing out in this unfortunatescenario.
This conflict of interest is very apparent and needs immediate scrutiny and analysis.
Conference championships are being decided by the seed of one man’s hate. This needs to end.
This is the heart of the matter.
p.s. Dean Berry, all you had to do is play a damn baseball game. Now look what you’ve done.
Noon start today at St. Cloud, so UMC can make it home earlier for finals. Kudo’s again to Coach Vito and his program for “playing the game.”
BTW; noon temps in St. Cloud are 33 degrees with a 26mph wind for a “feel temp” of 22 degrees. Hope nobody gets the Northern State hypothermia or dies today because of the weather.
I’ve also heard that the conditions were horrible that day in Carlos. It was snowing!!!
Thats what Berry would like everyone to believe. From the start of game 1 thru Northern tucking their tails between their legs and going home, there was not one drop of precipitation in Carlos. No rain, no snow, nothing.
Kind of funny that I see Coach Berry is playing in worse conditions today in St Paul than what the conditions were when he left the game vs St Cloud earlier this week. How can that be? Coach Berry should be repremanded for his actions
Maybe Mr. Raymond has plans to retire or has other job ambitions. In that case, would he really care? Really now! But, if he is to do the right thing he would man up & send a message, call it a forfieted game on the basis of what the umpires ruled. This is just plain silly. If the NSIC office doesn’t make a ruling on this by the end of the working day tomorrow (Monday), it only will make this matter even more laughable. Come on, Commissioner. Side-stepping isn’t the answer. Either rule it one way or the other and do what a person in power with integrity does. If you avoid this, it’s just as bad. You always say, play the games for “the betterment” of the league. Be consistent.
And, Lots Of Laughs is correct about the conditions. You just can’t make it up. Unbelievable!!!
I was at both games today and on Wednesday in Carlos. And yes it was snowing in Carlos. But it was during game 1 and with NO complaints from either coach or the umpires.
The snow completely stopped along with the 25mph winds and game two temps were at 41 degrees as I saw it on my phone and when leaving town an hour later. The games coulda and shoulda been played.
I actually personally asked about 10 fans all from Carlos and they couldn’t believe game two wasn’t going to be played.
I was also at the games today in St. Cloud and there is NO doubt the temps at 33 degrees to start the game along with the 25+ winds and the windchill at sub 20 degrees was way worse than at Carlos. But the teams played like many others have this spring.
And like they did in St. Paul today as well.
Northern State can play Sunday in 25mph winds and 40 degrees but they can’t play in no wind and 40 degrees on Wednesday?
I am reallly hooping that one of the teams goes 3-0 in their first three games next weekend and then decides not to take the field in game 4. What would our esteemed commish. do at that point? Oh no Butch, you may actually have to make a decision on something as opposed to just letting it sit and hope it goes away on its own.
I hear that Butch has a miniture statue of an umpire in his office and every now and then he goes over to it and peas on it just to keep them in their place. Kinda like he is doing right now with this non-decision on the SCSU/Northern fiasco from last week. If you are not going to use the umpires decision to play, what good are they to have out on the field.
Northern was offered a chance to play doubleheaders on Sunday and Monday due to rain Saturday. Northern has finals this week so chose play only on Sunday. Wind chill Sunday at Bob Barnes field was 32. Air temp was 40. Some very tiny snowflakes fluttered about.
The standings for the 6th spot can easily change. Wayne should comfortably finish in 5th. UM Duluth has an outside shot, Upper Iowa has a good opportunity, CU is hangingon the the 6th position.
CU plays UM Duluth Tuesday. Split series does little for either one. Upper Iowa plays Winona mid-week and finishes with Northern. CU has St Cloud for the final weekend, UM Duluth completes their season against Crookston.
Winona plays at Mankato mid week.
Man, that 6th spot really is going to come down to a battle of percentage points, isn’t it. And don’t forget, UMD today has one of the ever famous 7 inning tripleheaders against Augie. So they have a lot of different directions that they could go.
“6th place really up in the air.”
That is the exact point, along with the championship not being decided.
Norther State deciding not to play doesn’t only effect them and SCSU, but the others on top and bottum.
Didn’t Dolan at St Cloud get a bunch of grief last year for playing a triple header against Northern(all 7 inning games) last year? Wow! What a difference a year makes. Isn’t that 3 so far this season? Instead of being a cheat or a rule bender, doesn’t Dolan seem like a coach with great foresight and a baseball genius now?
CARLOS, Minn. – The Northern State University fell victim to a no-hit bid from St. Cloud State sophomore Scot Lieser on Wednesday, dropping a 10-0 decision to the Huskies in a rain-soaked Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match-up.
I thought the temperatures were so “herendous” that it was too cold and too unsafe for Coach Berry to have his kids play ball? Rain-soaked hardly makes me think the conditions were as bad as what coach Berry was trying to make them sound like. And the above statement is right from the NSU website. Here is the link if you want to see for yourself: http://nsuwolvesathletics.com/index.aspx?path=baseball&tab=baseball
Taking a look at the title of this thread, “Taking My Ball and Leaving,” sure seems to also apply in this case. Mr. Wallace left this one open after leaving his great blog last Fall.
We didn’t see the Crookston coach take his ball and go home on a very chilly and windy Sunday in St. Cloud. UM-C is winless this spring and the guy does what he’s hired to do and what young student-athletes expect to do. PLAY BALL! A big tip of the hat to him!
If umpires aren’t the determinant as to whether a game is or isn’t to be played, then change the rule during the next round of offseason meetings. How ridiculous is it that we all are still left hanging.
Where is Charlie (Waldo) Dubinoski Of Augustana?
I am properly corrected. Upper Iowa plays Saint Cloud midweek. Possibly 6th place could be decided by Thursday?
There is almost no way 6th place is decided by Wed. Too many teams bunched together with most of them having 4 games left to p[lay over the weekend. Lots can happen yet.
Dubunaski from Augie is suspended for rules violation
Unfortunately for my team, Duluth is now in the drivcer’s seat for 6th place. They have 4 games left versus Crookston. Very likely to finish 16 and 15 in conference play.
Upper Iowa has 4 games against Northern State. If Upper Iowa sweeps Northern the best they can finish is 18 and 18.
CU has the luxury of finishing against St Cloud. CU will need at least a split with St Cloud to make the tournament. If they play well I believe the Bears can do it. A split will give them a 14 and 12 conference mark.
Now here comes the real rub that our lovely commissioner has created by not making an immediate decision and taking actions against Northern for their just deciding to up and leave Carlos against SCSU.
It hasn’t been talked about much, but last weekend when Northern was at Concordia, how were they allowed to just decide to “not play” on Monday as is usually done when the first day of a series is rained out. When Saturday was rained out we(concordia) wanted to bump everything back one day, as is customary in this situation, and finish the series on Monday. But Northern said no, we are only playing on Sunday and then going home. Had those games been played, this race for 6th place may be a whole lot different.
Now I know that you’re going to say, but they had finals. Well, two years ago I know that our esteemed commissioner demanded SCSU to bus down to Wayne in the middle of finals week, with weather concerns going on then also, to ensure that games got played for the integrity of the conference races. Has the integrity now gone out the window to the point that teams can decide when they will and when they won’t play?
Now because of Northern’s decision to leave, the Golden Bears are forced to take 2 out of 4 from SCSU, as opposed to possibly having to only win one of the four. Granted, we could have put ourselves into a better spot by handling our business against Duluth better, but at least those games were played on the field and not on some bus steaming back towards Aberdeen.
This has become increasingly tough to ignore the fact of the matter is Northern and Crookston on possibly a couple of other teams plaing in NSIC have no business playing in that league.
For their betterment they need to be playing in DAC/GPAC where it could be a much stronger conferences or opportunities to compete each season…right now they haveabsolutely no chance competing at this level!
The commish has one agenda seeing himself with Woodley on tv and raising dollars he doesn’t give two cents about NSIC baseball!
How is it that some teams had 36 conference games scheduled and other only 34. Mary, Duluth, Upper Iowa, and Bemidji had 36 games scheduled. When standings depend on winning percentage, that seems like it could be an advantage or disadvantage. This year with so many lost games, it does not seem to matter as UMD is the only one in the race. But in a season where all games were played it could make for some interesting discussion. Anyone know why every team would not have the same number of games or am I missing something.
With the odd number of teams it wouldn’t work to have each team play the exact amount.
On a very similar topic under the current format the regular season championship and top 6 conference tourney qualifiers are being based on teams playing an entirely different schedule of 14 games. One four game set isn’t played against another team and five 2-game sets are played against different teams.
Take for instance SCSU’s schedule. They have played the top 6 teams 4 games for 24 total. They were not scheduled to play Mary, the 13th ranked team and they only played the #8 9,10,11,12 teams twice. Incredibly the exact most difficult schedule possible. They also had the bye the first weekend of the season, which obviously is the worst time.
Just take a glance at Winona’s schedule and you’ll see what I mean. The bottum 5 teams the again played 4 times for the 4th straight year. These are not 20 easy wins, but much easier than the top 6 teams.
This is the reason they are probably ranked #1 in the Central Plains along with winning their series with Mankato, but it sure doesn’t show a true conference champion.
With Minot and Sioux Falls coming in that makes 15 teams.
Division play solves this issue, along wiht reducing missed class time, travel time and most importantly travel expenses.
Think the no decision by Butch has no bearing now CSU will now not make playoffs…NSU balks at three more potential losses by not playing this whole situation is a joke.
I encourage fans to tell Butch exactly how you feel Wed. in Mankato…
So two Tino Martinez semifinalists make second team NSIC. Must be one heck of a conference. A suspended player makes first team. Sounds like Comissioner Raymond can duck another decision.
CONGRATS WINONA ST.!!!!
Never thought i would say this. but Winona state first team to win a World series game from the NSIC. Congrats.
So Blake Schwartz leaves Mankato and Nick Anderson from SCSU is probably going to jail for a long time for first a DUI and then beating a guy with a baseball bat. What the heck is going on with Senior pitchers in this league.
I heard about Schwartz leaving. But down here in Iowa had not yet heard about Nick Anderson.
Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty….he did get a DWI and has taken care of this matter last time I checked not first person to get a DWI in league.
The other charge is much more detailed and all the facts are not in…either way poor decision making as always nothing good happens after 12:00am.
He has resurfaced at Mayville State playing for former Coach Pete Pratt hopefully Pete can mold him into productive citizen he is about saving people as much as coaching.
And on a more positve note how about 3 NSIC teams ranked in the top 20 in two of the preseason polls!
Thanks to Winona and Mankato the past few years making the world series we are now getting some well deserved respect.
Happy Holidays to all!
Practice will begin soon. Hopefully the weather will be kinder this spring for all teams.
I hope young Mr. Anderson has success and gets his life back on track at his new home. My son spoke highly of him. Everyone has flaws and will make some mistakes and how they grow from these errors should make them stronger.
The NSIC should be very competitive again this spring.
NSIC baseball lovers get ready for some great action and teams….I have had a chance to watch St Cloud 2x at Dome and teams better strap on the shin pads pretty tight they are stacked!
With just five Seniors we might see a little run like Wayne St used to get before the boy’s from NCC showed up.
Good luck to everyone may the Baseball God’s shine on all and keep everyone healthy.
Lets wait and see what the Huskies can do against some tougher competition, although they did beat up on Minot pretty good who took Mankato to 11 innings.
I totally agree Feb./March games mean littlejust shows that NSIC might be in hunt for another World Series bid….than things will have a totally different look in new region set-up where NSIC teams will be lucky to get a sniff playing Central MO and boy’s!
THe southern trips should give all of us a good indication the capability of each team. Several teams will face challenging trips and oithers will have confidence building trips. The reasons are all the same to build up the teams and to find out what it will take to be a conference tournament challenger.