We are down to 6 games remaining in the Northern Sun regular season and the race for first place is essentially down to 3 teams. 6 time King of the Northern Sun regular season title, Wayne State, will not win it in 2010 after losing 5 of their last 6 games. Instead, this season’s champion will more than likely be decided between Winona State, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State.
Battle For First
All 3 teams do have tough roads ahead as Winona State plays 2 against 4th place SMSU and then finishes with 4 games against a surging Concordia. That said, they do have to be the favorites.
That’s because St. Cloud State plays 2 on Wednesday against Wayne State while Minnesota State plays 2 against Concordia and these 2 teams finish the season with a 4 game series against each other. That 4 game set has “split” written all over it.
Battle For Top 6
Besides these tough games at the top of the schedule a lot of the teams competing for the 4-6 spots have somewhat easy finishing weekends (on paper). Concordia’s path is difficult and the 1 game they didn’t play probably is costly, therefore it’s probably Augustana who has the best opportunity to leap into the NSIC Post Season Tourney. Minnesota Duluth holds the final spot right now and finishes with Upper Iowa. Last season they had a chance to sweep the Peacocks for 6th place and may have to sweep them this year to hold onto their spot as it’s unlikely that the Vikings will lose a game against Northern State.
Other News
The top 3 teams in the Northern Sun currently hold spots 2-4 in the NCAA’s Central Region Rankings which means they would all make the NCAA Regional Tourney even if their are upset winners in the NSIC and RMAC Tourney’s. Of course, that could change, especially since Mesa State is making a very strong late surge in the RMAC. NCAA Regional Rankings
In the Monday April 26th rankings, College Baseball News has St. Cloud State ranked #29 and Winona State in a tie for #30 – College Baseball News Poll
Northern Sun Baseball 
It has been a good run. Several teams are excellent and deserve the tournament.
Several are hanging on hoping to haev a good last week to solidify their place in the tournament.
The Bears need much help. If ( a very large IF) tey win out I believe they will qualify for the 6th spot.
Will Wayne and CU make up the infamous rainout? Only if it has a direct link to playoff positions. It is possible the make up will be for that final spot.
Congratulations to the qualifiers and good luck this week.
no, there are no make-up dates. You get three days, or even four days to play a four-game series. Depending on if you traveled. With mid-week games, there is no way to have make-up games. Yes, that Wayne State-Concordia one game could make a huge difference.
Someone mentioned about Baumann and the stolen base record. The NSIC records are for NSIC games only. I see on the NSIC stats page, Baumann only has 10 in conference play. He isn’t even in the top two. Overall stats do not count for NSIC stats according to the NSIC record book I see on-line.
Baumann has 14 right now and 36 in a season is something to be proud of. 36 in a seasson, most ever by any player who has played in this conference or where is started since 1970 is pretty cool.
Bauman is a quality player not just a base stealer.
Several players are having outstanding seasons. Bauman’s base running is spectacular.
I have been impressed by the talent level of players in the NSIC. Seems like D-1 schools missed on many of these quality individuals.
I agree, he is a very good player…wasn’t questioning that at all..sorry if that’s the way it was thought of..just talking about the NSIC record and what it is.
I knew you were not down grading Bauman. I understood the record for conference games. Where did you find the record book online?
An amazing year that will finish with a pressure packed final weekend! Add in the relatively cooperative weather throughout the season and I really don’t think an NSIC fan could ask for much more!
Thank God we play Crookston! At the rate we have been falling, it couldn’t come at a better time.
Still some hope for the Wayne boys fish. We might be a little down, but we ain’t dead yet.
Good luck to everybody – except Mankato.
on the NSIC website, near the top it says media guide. Click there and you see all the sports.
Not trying to take anything away from any of the ball players listed in the list of records as there are some great acomplishments noted there but the heading at the top of the list should read “Offensive and Pitching Records”. Not a single listing for any defensive catagories what so ever. Just like the Post Season awards which are based on offensive numbers almost exclusivly. Pity all the young men with .995 and better fielding % get boned all the time.
With my curiosity peaked I looked up the records and compared to current stats. Three records have been tied or broken this year to date. All threee are a tight race at this time. Three othres are likely to be broken by at least two players. Now my son is a fielder/hitter so I am speaking only of the offensive lists.
Hits broken was 47 current leader has 53
RBI broken was 41 current leader has 42 with three players on his tail with 41
Stolen bases broken was 17 current leader has 20
Total bases tied
at risk to be broken
Total at bats 115
Doubles 16
Home Runs 13
So it has been a productive year for several players. Now overall stat leaders are not necessarily the Conference leaders and those fellas have had outstanding years.
Hey Dad,
Did you by any chance see the Colligate Baseball Newspaper? Had a nice little paragraph in the Div. 2 section about son’s 6 game HR streak. If you don’t subscribe I’ll send it to you tomorrow.
Any one notice Tony Mueller from Winona did not play in the last two games with Duluth. Any injury.
Nope. Just had to attend to a personal issue. All is good
VERY GOOD. I hate injuries and especially to one of the teams top player.
I do not subscribe to Collegiate Baseball. Thank you for the heads up. I will check their online site.
Online site only allows non subscribers to see front page.
deliveryofhope@msn.com
I’ll send it out tomorrow morning. It also talks about Brenden Furrow climb up the career home run ladder. A little later on the same page it talks about a young man from Bimidji, Dan Bauer and his Grand Slam over Winona. The papers been pretty good to the NSIC this year.
I am interested in the opinions about Minnesota-Crookston baseball. It is obvious this team is struggling and I noticed that there a quite a few players from last year’s team that are not playing this year. Although only a rumor, I have heard that at least 9 players willingly left the team since the start of fall ball. If my research is right I have also noticed that when they are in the field they only have TWO guys on the bench! What is the deal?
It’s becoming quite clear that while the majority of the teams in the conference continue to improve and push the NSIC up the ranks of DII prominence, Crookston and Northern State seem to be moving in the opposite direction. While we do not know if Concerned’s information is indeed true, it is very disheartening. Add that to the Northern St. coaching/curling fiasco that was never addressed publicly and one begins to see why these two teams continue to reside in the cellar of the standings. I for one hope that these schools will either increase their funding/recruiting/support for their baseball programs in an effort to compete or perhaps consider going the route of MSU-Moorhead and simply choose not to field a baseball team. I am anxious to hear anyone else’s thoughts although many of the participants in this forum will probably have trouble understanding a program that does not compete every year!
What do you mean by that last sentence? I understand thing just fine.
If I were used to programs like Wayne, Winona, Concordia, etc. I would find it difficult to understand why an athletic department would accept being at the bottom of the standings on a consistent basis. It was not meant as a slight, but as a recognition that most of the people on this forum are associated with programs that are competitive year in and year out.
I think Northern has begun to move forward. They were competitive with several “upper tier” teams this year. If all of hteir young pitchers come back next year they will be improved.
My son goes to northern, actually he is one of the young pitchers on the team, they(the team) are hoping for some changes next year, I’m not saying anything, but I know my son would really like a better pitching program. It is sad when your coach is telling you were going to lose. I give it up to the nothern team for shwoing they can compete when they put there hearts in to it.
If my wife has any say in it my son might be going somewhere else.lol
I’d like to hear thoughts on the league changing the conference tourney from Thurs-Sat to now Wed-Fri. And for them doing it at the late date that they did it.
I think I remember the idea was simply to give those teams moving on to the regional tournament an extra day to prepare for it and the pitchers another days rest. Last year, playing in the regional championship, we threw pitchers on 2 days rest.
Seems like a pretty good idea to me.
If I’m not mistaken the tourney runs Wed-Sat and used to run Thur-Sun.
The NSIC tournament has been set with those dates all season I think. Maybe people just expected it was Thursday. I agree on giving more rest after the tournament and then to regionals, but on the flip side, its one less day for NO. 1 pitchers to rest. Most will be pitching on Saturday or Sunday this weekend.
Hey WOW,
Things are starten to look up aren’t they? 1 game out and 4 with Northern up this weekend. Only gotta lose one less than Duluth (Vs. UI) for a tie although I’m not sure what the tie breaker is. Can’t be head to head cause you didn’t play them except in FLA. and that don’t count. Don’t take Northern lightly though, they snuck up on us for one. Good luck and hope to see you in St. Cloud.
We are aware of Northern and must not worry about anyone else but ourselves. To bad we didn’t get a 4 game head start with Crookston like the other teams ahead of us. Good luck and hope to see you in St.Cloud to.
Another two great games with Wayne State. Huskies had bases loaded in the 7th in game one and hit into a line shot doulbe play to end it.
Tourney should be 8 teams. There are going to be 3 solid teams not making it this year, but at least SCSU will be in this year.
Good luck to all this weekend!
SCSU,
Pass along my thanks to anyone you know that’s responsible for the play by play blog on the St. Cloud web site. Live stats are OK to follow but the live blog adds a little more descriptive account of the game. Definitly a big help. At one point I had the radio broadcast on my house computer, the blog on my work laptop, and Live Stats on my own laptop. All this going on and I could still hear my daughter in the backgroung telling me i need “Professional Help”
What is the tie-breaker if two teams are tied?
I heard if Augie and UMD are tied and St.Cloud wins the NSIC,
Augie goes because they split with St.Cloud.
This is just one I heard.
Hey WOW,
You sure you didn’t hit your head also chaseing that foul ball last month? I’ve heard of the “Head to Head” tie breaker before but never the “Head to Head with the team that finished first” tie breaker. I hope your right cause I’d like to meet you face to face in St. Cloud and have you explain that one to me over a beer. Good Luck!
It was meant that they go instead of UMD. Just one tie breaker I was told today. May of hit my head to for all I know.
Tiebreakers #2 is the key after head to head.
E. The following tiebreaker shall be used in determining the top six seeds in the
conference tournament:
1. Head to Head Competition.
2. Record versus common conference opponents in descending order, starting with the first-place team, or No. 1 seed, in the conference standings based on win/loss percentage. The criteria shall break the highest ties first. If a tie exists for the No. 1 seed, the criteria shall use the No. 3 team.
3. Team ranked highest in the regional rankings.
4. Overall record against all DII opponents played with a record above .500
5. Overall record against all DII opponents.
I stand Humbled. Wow, I think I owe you a beer! Good Night.
I’m thinking that UMD should win four this weekend and not make things any more complicated then it has to be.
As is mentioned above, there’s a decent chance that Minnesota Duluth and Augustana may tie for the 6th spot and the final place in the NSIC Tourney. While UMD holds a 1 game lead they play a tougher Upper Iowa team for 4 games while Augustanta “should” take all 4 from Northern (of course Wayne should have too).
Based upon the breakdown given by Tiebreaker above, if those 2 teams tie the final spot will be determined by St. Cloud State & Winona State’s final standings. Augustana finished 2-2 against SCSU while UMD finished 1-3. UMD finished 2-2 against Winona State while Augustana finished 1-3. Minnesota State and SMSU are not common opponents.
Therefore, if Duluth loses a game they will be rooting hard for Winona State to make up the game on St. Cloud State.
Now if Winona State & St. Cloud State tie my reading would be that the tiebreaker would actually use Wayne State (the next highest team as a common opponent) which would give Duluth the tiebreak.
fishingmn is right on for the tiebreaker..wow what a weekend in store!
I only got one thing to say “Go St. Cloud”!!!!
Mueller didn’t play on Monday and then I see he got really roughed up in his first lost of the year against SMSU. Is there something wrong with him, or just a case of a rough start?
Sr.
Why “Go St. Cloud?”
Your son is a quality player, SOLID defensive catcher and seems to be a great young man that knows the game. I bet he got his good looks from Mom though!
As I mentioned in an earlier post at the start of this season I picked St. Cloud to finish 2ed right behind my favorite college baseball team. Well if we can’t have the “Brass Ring” this year than I can’t think of another team I rather have get it then St. Cloud. They are a tallanted, well behaved, respected, and all around class act of a team who had an excellent season.
Also if they win the conferance it makes me look smart for picking them to finish so high and although you are correct in your assumption that Jr. gets his good looks from his mother, what he’s got between the ears comes from dear old Dad! Thanks for the kind words about my son.
Yea, I’m so smart I can’t even remember to put my name in the little box. I don’t think anybody would buy the smart part anyway.
I completely agree. He has to be one of the best catchers in the conference. Certainly the best that I’ve seen this year. He saved many a wild pitch from getting scored as a wild pitch and gets a lot of strikes called by his framing of the pitch. I hope the Wayne pitchers appreciate it. There really should be some kind of defensive stat kept especially for catchers. A good catcher can make a mediocre pitcher look pretty good. A poor catcher can make even the best pitcher look pretty bad.
Looking forward to the tournament this year. Should be even more competitive than last year. Hopefully I’ll run into some of the regulars on here up in St. Cloud (although since my son plays for MSU maybe I shouldn’t. I’ve seen a lot of animosity toward MSU from some on here.) Anyway, good luck to all the rest of the way. Let’s hope we can get 4 NSIC teams into the regional tournament!
Just some stats for teams who are in the running. Scores against Crookston and man how it helps the stats.
winona 63-4
St.Cloud 59-1
smsu 41-14
umd 47-13
Sure wish the Augie boys could have 8 conference games in the past two years to add to their stats.
I wonder if they will get a chance next year..most likely not.
I heard the schedule has a big shake up next year.
Playing them 5 times Non Conference is not good enough for your boys stats????
I guess you don’t understand we are talking about conference and that is all that matters right now. 4 easy wins would look real nice right now. Hopefully it won’t matter. Just hope we get 4 easy ones next year being we have had one of the toughest conference schedules the past two years, or theydo it right and make the tournament 8 teams.
If conference stats didn’t matter why do they keep them seperate from all games played?
Based on your first post it had runs scored not (4-0) for all the teams. It looks like you were just hoping the boys could enhance there stats. Your right it just comes down to getting Wins. My posted was based off of you wanting the Augie boys to add to their stats! Not about that…about getting Wins as a team. You guys have the stats from them this year plus 1 game!
If Augie gets Crookston 4 times in conference play for the next two years my point will be mute.
Prediction time!!
I have reviewed the games left for everybody and am now ready to make my predictions for the participants in the conference tournament. What a competitive season it has been – and while I have enjoyed the WSC domination of the NSIC, congratulations to all those teams whose baseball programs are on the rise. So, without further ado….
1. Winona 25-7 .781 (WSU wins tiebreaker #2)
2. MSU 25-7 .781
3. SCSU 23-9 .719 (SCSU wins tiebreaker #2 as SW swept by MSU)
4. SWMS 23-9 .719
5. WSC 21-10 .677
6. Augie 21-11 .656
7. UMD 20-12 .625
8. CU 14-17 .451
9. Mary 11-17 .392
10.UIU 11-21 .344
11.Bemidji 7-25 .219
12.Northern 2-26 .071
13.Crook 0-32 .000 (OUCH!)
And now the forecast for the tournament.
Although WINONA is the regular season champ, I think we can all agree that the record is somewhat a reflection of the schedule they played. Had they had faced the upper echelon teams, most probably would have had a few more losses and would have been the 3 or 4 seed. The most difficult teams faced in the conference (SW and UMD) were split – the remainder of the teams were below .500. 6-4 against teams in the tournament. They did have some nice wins early (Lynn in particular) and wins against conference foes (SCSU, MSU and WSC) make them a force to be reckoned with.
MANKATO – has beaten everybody they played including 3 of 4 against WSC, a season series sweep of SW and preseason split with Winona. 8-2 against teams in the tournament and experience in the post season would make one believe that this is the team to beat. For sure a player.
SCSU has had a solid season but splits with CU and Augie seem to me to indicate a certain vulnerability. Only 5-4 against tournament opponents and not sure how the pitching will hold up during tournament play. That said, they are the home team which should count for something.
SWMS – split with Augie and Winona and were swept by MSU. Haven’t really played anybody and are only 3-7 against the tournament. I don’t think they have it in them to sustain a tournament run.
WSC – It’s been a rocky season for the boys from Nebraska. Non-con win at Emporia is the signature for the season and a recent 2-1 win at SCSU show just how good this team can be. But losses to Northern and to NAIA Briarcliff show how equally bad. 7-9 against tournament teams again indicates how up and down they are. The question for the Cats will be – Which team will show up to play? They certainly have the experience and have shown they are a talented bunch.
AUGIE seems to have played arguably the toughest conference schedule of all the tournament teams and their record against the teams in the tournament is 5-11. Hard to imagine that will improve.
So here it is – Wayne goes on a run, comes out of the losers bracket to beat Mankato in the championship game. (Well, a guy can hope, right?) Honestly, I think Mankato is the team to beat. What say ye, oh wise NSIC bloggers?
Holy Smokes!!!!
What a review. You better hope your employer doesn’t see that one or you’ll be out on the street looking for a new job. It’s fairly obvious you didn’t get much other work done this morning researching all the material that went into that review. If you do wind up on the street you may want to try handicapping the ponies as your new line of work. You seem to have a knack for stats. I’ll have to check it out tonight when I get time to digest it all. Although it like a great job at first glance.
Thankfully, my employer doesn’t read this blog!! Really didn’t take that long. I have been paying pretty close attention lately, trying to figure out what it was going to take for the Wayne 9 to get to a) the regionals and then over the last few weeks, b) the conference tournament. As Plash and I have discussed off line, we have come a long ways from a team that was one game from the world series last year. Such high hopes and then….
What a great game baseball is. You just never know. Every spring, everyone tied for first with all the hope of a new season full of expectations. I don’t know about every one else here, but I don’t ever remember a season in what is now 16 years of competitive baseball – of watching my kid and his team struggle to play .500 baseball. Senior year, no less. But we are still breathing and hope remains high for a tournament championship and an invitation to the regionals. And then who knows…
Good luck to everybody – except Mankato, of course!!
Well Johnny come lately its about time.
I can’t find anything wrong with anything you said. I must be getting ill. Its not like me to agree with anyone…
MAvvy. I was at the game i dont think there is anything really wrong with him. He pitched really well the first five innings and lost velocity in the sixth and seventh and his off speed was really bad. i wont put to much into it. He did still swing the bat really well in both games.
Although I really like St. Cloud’s club, I think their struggles in the bullpen may prove to be too much of a hurdle to overcome in the tourney. My prediction is Mankato – a solid group from top to bottom. I agree with Dave in hoping that the NSIC can place 4 teams into the regional for sure!
SCSU’s bullpen has improved each of the last 3 months.
Tim Scott, U of Nebraska transfer and 25 game winner the past two years is up to 50 pitchers after laberum surgery in August
Ryne Schwenke, U of Norther Iowa transfer, who had hip surgery this past summer is now close to 100%. When he was at his best he was a high 80’s side armer with nasty stuff.
Scott Lieser has been solid after a shaky freshmen first month of the year
And Pat DeLahunt has been a 3 year starter that has had a solid senior year out of the pen.
I not sure if any of the other teams has a dominate bullpen anyhow?
I was looking at this earlier this morning. How come SCSU played three games on Sunday and one Monday? Why not two Sunday and two Monday? Someone said they suspended after a few pitches on Saturday? So resume that and play one more and then play two on Monday.
Probably not a big deal, just thought of that when most everyone else played two Sunday and two Monday.
I think that the reason that they played 3 on Sun. was because of the forecast and the original answer that they were given by the Northern a.d. in that there would not be a game anywhere on Monday. They wanted to try and get as many of their games in as they could and one possibility with the suspension, was to go the 3 on Sun. route.
It rained all Friday/Saturday and then again Sunday and Monday in Aberdeen and rain was in the forecast for Monday all around.
Lucky four games got in, as very easily 0 games could’ve got played.
I can attest to that. I was in Aberdeen in hopes of watching the games and wound up watching zero games because of the weather. If St. Cloud’s bullpen is as improved as SCSU says, then I think we may see a heck of battle in the tournament between them and Mankato. That being said, I will probably end up being wrong on both of them.
I am not counting out any of the 6 teams that make it into the tournament. I have seen them all play except for Augie and SCSU this year and all are good teams. Wayne is a much better team than their record shows. Sometimes the bounces or the calls just don’t go your way. (I’m also wondering if the coaching change has had an effect) They have a lot of playoff experience which will help in the tournament. Winona also is a very good team and is definitely up there with SCSU, MSU, and Wayne. I had counted Southwest out early in the year when MSU swept them pretty easily, but they have put together a really good run since then and will also be tough. Finally, Duluth has shown that they can play with (and beat) the best teams on any given day. I really think the tournament is going to be a toss up.
Dave,
Thanks for the kind words about Jr. earlier. It’s nice to see that any catchers efforts don’t go unnoticed. They have been know at times to hold the team together when things are going south. I also agree there should be some kind of defensive stat kept for catchers. As of now the closest thing they have is the Passed Ball and even that is deciving. You would be amased at how many offical scorers don’t know the differance between a PB and a Wild Pitch even at the colligate leve. Next best is the caught stealing and that’s hit or miss because it involves many other people like the pitcher, SS, and 2ed baseman all of which are needed to throw a guy out. So until somebody comes up with a Defensive MVP or POY award we’ll just have be happy there are people like you and SCSU and others I’m sure that notice. Thanks again
the thing is, the rules state you can’t play three in a day. Why not play two on Sunday and two on Monday? You can’t “predict” and just play three on Sunday. Was there a pitch thrown on Saturday to suspend game 1? I’ve heard different things.
Yes, the game started and was suspended therefore allowing them to complete the game and play two other 7 inning games just like the NSIC handbook states. Not ideal, but would’ve been much worse if they wouldn’t have got the games in.
Northern wanted nothing to do with playing, especially out of Aberdeen. Much more to the story I’ve heard that I don’t need to bore you all with.
When they agreed to play the suspended game SCSU jumped at it, as the forecast Monday was 70% rain all around Aberdeen. They didn’t get a field ready until 6pm Monday
It was all approved and agreed upon by both teams. I think you have to give both programs credit for getting the games in.
It was in the best interest that SCSU played those games, especially that they were favored to win them. If they would have been cancelled that would have put SCSU winning percentage at 750 putting them into a second place tie right now with Winona. Great job by them to get them in.
Good luck to all this weekend. The Bears will do their best to close out the season on a positive note in Winona.
Still a very remote chance the Bears could end up in the tournament. highly unlikely yes.
Rocky Mountain;
Mesa drops (2) to Dixie State (They split)
Kearney looses its first of 3 to Regis.
Unfortunately NM Highlands wins first of 3 with Metro
At what point do they hold the region locally/here as we may have 4 and they only 2 teams in it?
There is an outside shot that an NSIC team could be #1 in region?
Good luck with that one. Wayne thought that last year and even with a better record than Mesa we were still #2. No respect for the NSIC!
wrong..Kearney won two of three vs. Regis.
Baseball;
You must be a younger person as you wouldn’t be such a know it all if you weren’t. Note the time of my post – and yours.
My post said “Kearney loses the first of 3”, Right! They did in fact. Right.
I also see NM highlands lost another one to Metro.
So do we host than right!!!???
Again good luck to all tomorrow!
I want to start by saying this doesn’t have anything to do with winning and losing, but what we call sportsmanship.
I’m my 30 years I’ve NEVER seen a more non sportsmanlike atmosphere than today. I was embarrassed and after the game actually a little scared.
Where is any type of game mananagement during games??
This has nothing to do with the unison chanting, Miami want-to-be dance or even all of the things you could here out of the dugout. And I might add: in a 25mph wind.
I’m talking about allowing drunks to verbally abuse players and coaches during and after the games with no security or game management in sight.
I will end with this: The only thing that seems to have changed in Mankato the past 30 years is the head coach. I can’t believe and instituition or the NSIC would even allow this kind of action.
Do you remember last year up at St. Cloud all the drunks down on the third base deck. How easily you forget. Just as bad last year if not worse. Make sure you get all the facts and nothing happened after the game probably because Mankato won two games on that first day last year.
I agree that it is not proper for fans to do this but i will also say that if i was one of the players whom was getting “verbally abused” that would only fuel my desire to perform. Guess i love to hate those type of fans, if this is an on-going problem, then do something about it, and if nothing as done, more drastic actions would get the point across. “got to give respect to get it”.
Mankato Alums:
To ride players during the game is one thing, but to follow them all the way to the bus and hallange them and parents is unbelieveable! And no MSU administration in sight.
Hope it just gets settled on the field, like it seems to be going with every team ohter than one.
I’m not sure what happened after the MSU/SCSU games today. It sounds like some of the SCSU players and parents were harassed while heading to their buses/cars by some of the MSU alums. If that’s the case I would like to offer my apology. Something like that is uncalled for and shouldn’t happen anywhere. Let’s not indict an entire program, it’s players, coaches, parents and other fans for the actions of a few idiots. You would be hard pressed to find anyone among the current fans that would condone something like that. Let’s also not pretend that kind of thing doesn’t go on in other places (such as St. Cloud last year). It shouldn’t happen anywhere.
I enjoyed two very close games today between two very good teams. While talking to my son after the game he had nothing but good things to say about how good St. Cloud was too, so don’t project a few immature fans’ actions onto any of the current players.
These two teams went at each other hard today in both games in some very difficult conditions (that wind was brutal). I am looking forward to a couple more tomorrow. I’ll be getting up early again to make the 3 hour drive.
Dave,
There is no reason for you to offer your apologies for something neither you or your son had anything to do with. You have been nothing but a valued visitor to this blog who’s thoughts and opinions have been thought out and well recieved. I can tell by interacting with you that’s not your style and I’m reasonably sure you have instilled these same values in your son.
With that said, I want to give you my opinion about why there is in your words from an earlier post, some “Animosity” toward MSU. Having attended numerous regular and post season games over the last several years in Mankato and various NSIC ballfields I have to say It doesn’t supprise me to read some of the above post. I wasn’t there today so I’m not going to pass judgment on anyones actions based on what I’ve read here BUT I will say the atmosphere at some of the games Ive been to was dihearting. And I’m talking about on the field by the MSU players. From start to finish there was the constant berating of the oposeing players, obnoxious chants, and on more than 1 ocassion, questioning the ump. Couple that with the young man running off the field into the dogout mid game yelling for all to hear “Lets go f these guys up! While I’m all for cheering as loud as you want for your own teammates to susceed you don’t yell and harrass members of the opposing team willing them to fail. To me that’s poor sportsmanship. The sad part of the whole thing was neither the Coach nor the umps did anything to discourage any of the activity.
I am sure not everyone on the team is to blame for these actions and I’m also aware that it’s easy to get caught up in this during the heat of battle. The saddest part of all is that a VERY tallented group of young men aren’t going to be remembered for what they’ve accomplished on the field but as “That obnoxious group from Mankato”.
sorry, IMAFAN, relax…as for Mankato. Haven’t they acted like that for years? Chirpy, etc.
So, back to baseball. Quick question for the group to debate. This situation came up in the MSU/SCSU game 2 today.
Bottom of the 7th inning (in a 7 inning game). MSU has bases loaded and is down by 1 run. I can’t remember if there were 0 or 1 outs. Batter hits a fly ball down the left field line but in foul territory. It was out there deep enough so that there really wasn’t much of a chance of throwing out a tagging runner from third.
What’s the better play? Get the out, catch the ball and attempt to throw out the runner or let the ball drop foul?
In the game today the left fielder caught the ball and made a fantastic throw home that got there just a little too late. Maybe the decision to catch it was because of the strong arm. He really made a nice throw home.
What does everyone think? You take a chance either way.
Depending on which way that 25 MPH wind was blowing I’d have let it drop and look for that GBDP?
As a participant in yesterdays DH at Mankato I want to first say it was one of the more intense and fun games I’ve played in.
Yes, the Mankato players get a little fired up in their dugout. Heck some of there cheers/chants are kind of cool. But that nor their fans had an impact on the game. The only issue is when their dugout yells out “I got you/you got it” on their pop ups. In the wind it was tough enough catching them. This is like the DT in FB calling out snap counts. Not good.
What was difficult to handle was being one by one almost attacked by a select few kato fans that were beyond drunk. Coach Dolan told us to go straight to the bus and said something like this might occur, but after a very tough game two loss it was easier said then done to just walk by this group.
I can’t believe there was no security or event staff controlling these drunks. The same thing happened two years ago.
Anyhow, let’s let it roll on the field and let the best team win!
This is directed to the young man who wrote the above post. Your entry was well written and you definatly bring up a lot of valid points. I think that’s one of the most thought out and well written post on this blog by any player to date. You definatly appear to be mature beyond your years. The same thing cannot be said for the idiots that followed you and your teamates to the bus after the game. What I cannot fathom is why neither the Mankato addminastration or The NSIC allows something like this to happen. This has gone on far to long and should not happen at ANY location. In closing let me just say that although it won’t make yesterdays happenings go away, sooner or later that merry band of idiots will follow the wrong guy to his car or that guys son to the bus! Boy, one can only dream.
I was at the game yesterday and above post correctly painted an exactly picture of what transpired. The rudeness and classlessness of a select few spoiled a great day of baseball.
Was there drunk and rowdy people last year in St.Cloud yes and it was addressed by Coach Dolan to alumni at a post Dugout Club Meeting.
But to have a small group follow our players and fans to bus was disgusting and painful to watch. As one drunken former player chased a Husky assistant coach whom he played with in the Northwoods League after the game gave off the perception he was taunting him with many fans ready to start a brawl, but once again Coach Dolan and his other assistance calmed the storm.
A previous post above stated don’t lump the MSU program,parents and some alumni into this group well I will leave you with this.
The program starts at the top with Coach Magers and staff who sat on the field and didn’t step in after the game which really is a shame.
You are right they have a rich tradition with many great coaches,players,alumni,parents and fans; but in one Husky parents eyes the luster/polish sure came off all of those trophies and rings yesterday.
FYI:Also as a member of the Husky Dugout Club we along Coach Dolan and staff have made necessary arrangements today to avoid a repeat by pulling the bus up behind the dugout and calling Mankato’s finest to watch over the proceedings pretty classy act by Coach Dolan!
Good luck to all today should be a wild finish.
If anyone wants to see how Mankatos chirping dugout does effect the game go to there local newspaper and look at the photo of two Huskies colliding on an infield pop up. Yes they made the catch, but not could it have changed the inning/game, but one could’ve got hurt.
Why? Mankato dugout:
“I got it, no you got it. You got it, no I got it.”
Class act
Not to mention their:
“Need something? No, just looking” and all their other comments on strikeouts and other happenings.
Their cheerleading chants show style. Where do you see that in college baseball? Just glad good teams like SCSU just laugh it off.
As Huskey Parent put it, It starts at the Top. As far as I’m concerened, it’s Mr. Magers until the time comes that he steps up to the plate and does the right thing. You have to earn the right to be called “Coach”. And it’s also time the NSIC steps in and does the right thing. We as well as all these kids have the right to have a good time next week in St. Cloud. Good luck to all!
SCSU in Mankato. Schwenke game #3…Good morning, Good afternoon, Good night on 6 pitches. Schwenke in game #4 ????? Better hope for the Huskies sake that they have a 2 run lead for the men in blue in the 7th inning today for Schwenke as they play for the conference title with one game to go.
Moms and Dads,
This is no longer t-ball and coach pitch baseball. I’m sure most of you call the coach asking for your kids playing time to increase. So I hope you can understand that your kids are grown men. If they can’t handle a little chirping from MNSU maybe they shouldn’t be playing college baseball. And as for the parents, I heard plenty of chirping from the St. Cloud side this weekend. Shut up and watch the games.
Well said. Thanks for confirming where the kids get the mouth from. Sad to see it runs thru-out the program.
I had previously deleted the Anonymous post above but on 2nd thought decided to reapprove it.
Just so it’s clear – IP Trace shows that it was posted by someone from within MSU. I will let readers decide if it was a coach, player or someone else in the athletic department.
I could be wrong but I don’t see how this does anything other than sway even more people to dislike MSU.
I understand why St. Cloud fans were upset with some of our fans this weekend, but i think you all are being quite hypocritical. I remember playing our last series in St. Cloud last Spring and hearing things like “hey lenton, want to smoke some weed after the game?”(referring to his failed drug test) or “Should have left last year Odegaard because your not getting drafted again with your numbers”. I also heard your fans saying things to Geno Glynn that are too innapropriate to write on here. Also, when we went to Concordia last year, their fans were making racist comments to Kosuke Hattori, our Japanese short stop.
My point is not to complain about your fans because the players, coaches, and families did not have a problem with it. We understand that it is part of playing the game. I am disappointed to read the posts that complain about our coaches and administration because your coaches and administration did not do anything either. I cannot find a blog made by any MSU parents, athletes, coaches, or alumni complaining about either of these teams.
The final thing i would like to point out is that as a player at MSU, i understand that most players/fans in the conference dont like us and it does not bother us at all. We play hard, and we have fun when we do it. Go ahead and call us bush league, it only makes us go harder. I hope you all understand that I am not trying to make people dislike us more with this post (we have enough people the way it is), but rather, stop all of this complaining. I know some of this may come of as arrogant or even mean, but you have to understand that i am pretty upset with some of the posts made. Good luck to everyone this weekend
#1 Thanks for careing enough to write the above post.
#2 Two wrongs don’t make a right. It shouldn’t have happened to any of you guys and it shouldn’t happen to any body else either.
#3 Just because the other teams coaches/administration did nothing doesn’t mean your coaches/administration has to do nothing either. Sooner or later SOMEBODY has got to suck it up, be a man, and do the right thing. Instead of looking forward to a great tournament and the last week of my son’s baseball career I’m sitten here written about this bull**** again. Good Luck to ALL!
Not a problem IF YOUR FANS AT MANKATO don’t chase down players after games. I tell you what if that would’ve been me as a player I would’ve taken a different approach instead of just walking on to the bus.
This starts at the top with MSU administration and coaches. And has NOTHING to do with jealousy or winning. Young kids were running around running their mouths. I see this is just “the way things are done at Mankato.” One of these days “some old school” will come back set these guys in place.
what goes around comes around, so scsu parents and fans really cant say anything about this after last year. our fans love us and we love them we do what we have to, to get things done and a player may have said one inappropriate comment and it was addressed to the player(s). how old are your kids? not in little league anymore chirping is a part of the game and if you cant handle it then maybe you should re-evaluate your sons choice of playing a collegiate sport. its a thing of the past move on and stop bringing it up there is nothing anyone can to change any of the events that happened in the passed.
I think MSU needs to come up with something original besides copying the Canes with their 7th inning antics. I haven’t seen anything like this before, except for at a girls softball game. I was hoping to see it today in the game vs SCSU on their home turf. Guess it wasn’t meant to be
Haven’t seen anything like this before? Ok, here are a few more from college and high school. So it’s not original for any of these teams. Does that change the fact that it is something fun for a team to do?
1) You already linked to Miami.
2) Ole Miss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1poy5nZUIpk
3) Grandview baseball: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG8vYW3jKvg
4) South Alabama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWAwvAhZ-LI
5) Massillon-Jackson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1heo-HQn-Do
6) Madonna baseball: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLwfhwpSXLc
7) Concord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXIVU-vV0mQ
8) ACU: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdP3_V4Clk0
and many more…
I Don’t Get It!
(No sarcasm!)
That’s some good stuff, whether you copied if from Mianmi or not.
I would justl like to see Kato’s practice rounds like:
: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG8vYW3jKvg
Go NSIC!
Wow, this paragraph is nice, my sister is analyzing these
kinds of things, so I am going to tell her.
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.