A Couple Of Requests

In surfing the college baseball spectrum, I've come across a couple of requests. The first is from Eric Sorenson. Seems his former employers at CBS asked Eric if he would provide some material wrapping up the regionals. Eric obliged and now requests some assistance from us. He would like you to click on the link to his column.

The basic premise here is that we are trying to show the gurus at CBS that someone besides Big E cares about college baseball. Let's face it, the mainstream sports media avoid college baseball like the plague. (As such, you get stuck with hacks like me trying to fill in the blanks.) If Eric's column at CBS can generate enough traffic, perhaps, just perhaps, they might devote more space to the sport. And, if they move forward, maybe other .com's might follow.

At minimum, Eric might be able to reclaim a paycheck from CBS (or someone else) and I think that's a concept we can all appreciate right now. So, let's help him, and college baseball, out. Go to his site. Here's the link. Once at E's internet home, click on the link in the column. Spend a few minutes reading his work at CBS (yes, even if you read it originally at his site) and go about your day. Or, better yet, you can help out another college baseball fan.

The Big Ten's Valerie Todryk-Krebs is asking you what your favorite moment of the Big Ten baseball season was. Here's another opporunity to show some decision makers that people are passionate about college baseball. In this case, it's right in our own backyard. You can overflow Valerie's inbox with your favorite moments and she can show her supervisors at the Big Ten your overwhelming response. If they get the notion that there's a hungry fanbase out there, who knows where it might lead?

Her request appears in a post dated June 1 at the Big Ten's baseball blog. The email address she wants you to use is vtodryk@bigten.org.

We can complain all we want about the inequities in college baseball. From the lack of media coverage to the imbalance in scheduling to the NCAA Tournament selection process. Yet, at some point, we have to do our part. We have to give the powers-that-be a reason to care about college baseball. That begins by demonstrating our support for the game. Eric and Valerie have given us an opportunity to do just that. I encourage you to participate in their requests.

NCAA Regional Links

I'm guessing at least 30% of my readership is ready for some more baseball. As such, I'm here to provide links to all the places of relevance I've been able to track down.

TALLAHASSEE REGIONAL
Florida State is offering up a preview of the Tallahassee Regional. It's complete with plenty of additional links and some video.

Florida State's official site.
Georgia's official site.
Ohio State's official site.
Marist College's official site.

The Buckeye Nine (An OSU baseball blog)
Section B (Florida State's baseball fans)

LOUISVILLE REGIONAL
Louisville's official site. (It's actually their regional site. Seems the other one isn't working.)
Vanderbilt's official site.
Middle Tennessee State's official site.
Indiana's official site.

Behind The Plate (An Indiana baseball blog)
The Inside Pitch (IU student newspaper blog covering Hoosiers baseball)

BATON ROUGE REGIONAL
Louisiana State's official site.
Minnesota's official site.
Baylor's official site.
Southern's official site.

Kendall Rogers previews the Baton Rouge Regional.
The College Baseball Blog's Baton Rouge preview.
The Daily Gopher (SB Nation blog covering all things Minnesota)
Baylor Fans.com Baseball
Line Drives (LSU baseball blog from The Advocate)

The Big Ten issued their official press release prior to the tournament. It's a .pdf file.

A somewhat interactive (and kind of cool) tournament bracket courtesy of the NCAA.

College Baseball 360's tournament page.

Baseball America's staff will be hard at work this weekend. I'm guessing Aaron Fitt's blog will feature the breaking news.

The boys at BA have also produced their Top 100 MLB prospects heading into the draft. Check out the future pros in your regional.

And, of course, you know that Eric Sorenson's going to be all over the tournament. (By the way, thanks for including me on the selection committee, E.)

For Your Reading Pleasure

Here are some Big Ten college baseball links that I submit for your review.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune's Roman Augustoviz does a piece on the rebound at Minnesota. Honest-to-goodness media coverage of college baseball in the north. Shocking.

Behind The Plate previews the Indiana/Northwestern series.

Tom at the Illinois Baseball Report does a Q & A with an Ohio State fan about this weekend's honkin' huge series. (Hey, is that the OSU Drew that comments here?) Illini and Bucks making friendly before a big game? I suppose this is my fault?

Chris Webb, of Buckeye Nine fame, chats up College Baseball Today's Eric Sorenson about the Bucks, the RPI, the regional hosting process and other topics.

Speaking of Big E, Sorenson goes listapalooza in his weekend preview. A number of Big Ten references are included.

Sorenson's Q&A With Maloney

College Baseball Today's Eric Sorenson had a chat with Michigan head coach Rich Maloney. Coach Maloney does a good job spelling out some of the issues that make it difficult for the northern programs to compete.

Live Blog: Tournament Selection Show

It's approximately forty-five minutes until the NCAA Baseball Tournament Selection Show on ESPN. As Michigan is hosting a regional, and the only Big Ten representative in the field of sixty-four (yeah, I'm going out on a limb), I'm going to attempt to live blog along with the show.

However, in this time before the show kicks off, I'm going chat a bit about who might be coming to Ann Arbor.

11:48am Much of who comes to Ann Arbor depends on whether or not Michigan gets a #1 or #2 seed. Friend of BTH, CBS College Sports' Eric Sorenson cranked out a selection show preview and suggested that the NCAA implied that Rich Maloney's nine will be a #2 seed.

I guess I'm not surprised. While the southern programs and media are blatantly anti-northern baseball, in fairness, this year just simply has not been as strong a season for snowbelt programs as 2007 was.

You can make a case that Michigan merits a #1 seed, but I wouldn't get my shorts all up in knot if they are a #2 and host.

Noon My fear, though, is that in spite of having more northern voices on the selection committee, Michigan will land a #2 seed and get "punished" by the committee with a brutal bracket. (The old "Oh, you want to host a regional do you?" theory.)

The list of power programs not hosting this week is lengthy. Georgia Tech tops the group and would seem like the most likely #1 seed to travel to Ann Arbor should UM be a #2 seed. However, the list of programs looking at a road trip also includes Arizona, Florida, South Carolina and Texas to name just a few.

12:15pm Fifteen minutes to go. I've flipped stations over to ESPN. No audio on, though. That will have to wait a quarter of an hour.

12:17pm I've had this gut feeling that South Carolina is coming to the Ann Arbor regional. No rationale behind it. Just a feeling. However, that was before I learned that the Yellow Jackets were not hosting and in the top ten in RPI. If Michigan is indeed a second seed, I'd be a tiny bit surprised if Tech wasn't in Ann Arbor this coming weekend. Either would be great, though.

Let me get back to my "punishment" theory. As an example, I could see UM as #2 seed, GA Tech as the #1 and a program like Kentucky, Missouri or San Diego being the #3. I could also see Georgia Southern, Texas-San Antonio or Sam Houston State getting the number four.

When you are in a double elimination format, all brackets are tough. Only 64 programs get in. Yet, I can't see the selection committee watering down an Ann Arbor regional, if they presume UM is a "weak" #2 seed. Which, in light of the Big Ten's performance, would not shock me.

12:25pm Five minutes to go. Better head to the kitchen now.

12:30pm Here we go.

12:35pm Miami is #1 overall. Can't disagree. Carolina #2. ASU is #3. Florida State is #4. #5 CS-Fullerton. #6 Rice. #7 LSU. (All hosts, so far.) #8 is Georgia.

12:38pm It's Arizona, Eastern Michigan and Kentucky visting Ann Arbor.

12:39pm Yes, Michigan is a two-seed. (Yikes, Arkansas gets in. They didn't make their conference tournament field.) Michigan will open with Kentucky. Lots of offensive potential, so expect a pitching duel Friday. The Wildcats of Arizona open with EMU.

I agree with ESPN's Will Kimmey, Miami got a tough regional with Mississippi and Missouri.

12:45pm Here are the official links to Michigan's opposition. Arizona. Kentucky. EMU. It's a tough bracket, but most are.

No Oregon State? The two-time defending champions are left out. Ouch.

12:49pm Still whining about Michigan hosting? Please. I don't care if the Wolverines get bounced out after two, they merit a chance to host. Kimmey defends Ann Arbor hosting. He makes all the obvious points.

12:55pm If I were a Michigan coach, I'd be playing up the fact the nation still does not believe.

12:58pm Graphic points out how many top programs Arizona has beaten this year. That's an impressive resume. Kyle Peterson calls the Wildcats, Arizona-version, "dangerous". Um, yeah.

Well, show's over. My initial thought is that the Ann Arbor regional is tough. Everyone is drooling over Arizona, and rightfully so, but Kentucky is no walk in the park, either. EMU is certainly familiar with the Wolverines, as well.

I've got to move onto other things, but I hope to be back later and share some more thoughts. Carry on while I'm gone.

Update (4:30pm): I haven't gone through all the brackets, but I think it's safe to call the Ann Arbor Regional one of the most difficult. If you use the official RPI from the NCAA, which I admit has not been updated through the conference tournaments, the Ann Arbor regional has three teams in the top 37 -- Arizona (15), Kentucky (30) and Michigan (37).

Boyd's World's pseudo-RPI, which has been updated through today, has the three programs all inside the top 35 -- Arizona (10), Kentucky (33) and Michigan (35).

If you want to use the polls, both Baseball America and the NCBWA think Ann Arbor has three of the top 30 in attendance. BA actually has all three inside the top twenty-five.

Rainy Days And Mondays

Perhaps it's a result of attempting to figure out all the Big Ten tournament possibilities. Maybe it's the ongoing rain. Maybe I've got a bad case of the Mondays. In the end, it doesn't matter, I just need to vent.

PLAYING HOSTS
Most long-time readers here know that I'm in favor of a neutral site for the Big Ten Baseball Tournament. It makes sense on every level, but one. Alas, the "one" is a biggie. Baseball is a non-revenue sport. That means the Big Ten Conference office views baseball like we view a colonoscopy -- a necessary evil.

With that dazzling attitude towards the oldest sport on most campuses, the Big Ten is in no hurry to pretend like it cares about baseball. So when the subject of a neutral site arises, they dismiss it with the usual "if baseball has a neutral site tournament, then golf, tennis, soccer, curling and every other non-revenue sport is going to demand the same thing and we just cannot afford that."

Yeah, right. You can operate a television network, but you can't find enough change in the couch to borrow a quality minor league park for five days? Sorry, I ain't buyin' that line.

However, if the conference is determined to stick their head in the marketing sand and avoid a neutral site for the baseball tournament, is it asking too much to hold it in one of the venues suitable for such an event?

By suitable, I mean, acceptable for everyone involved -- players, parents, coaches, school officials, conference officials, media and fans. Here are a few requirements:

The park should have lights. It rains in the midwest on occasion. Sometimes games get postponed. Having lights helps the games to be played. It also cuts down on 9:00am starts. I love breakfast with batting practice, but the general public doesn't. Did I mention many in the potential ticket buying public have day jobs? Lights should be mandatory to host the tournament.

Ideally, there should be access to batting cages. There should also be clubhouses for the home and road teams. Excessive? In 1970, yes. In 2008, not so much. I wouldn't be a stickler for either of these items, but it is a championship event and we do have access to these at some venues in the conference. Why settle for less?

It should have a decent pressbox. The media shouldn't get soggy covering the tournament. Neither should ADs, SIDs and the various other personnel filling the box. No pressbox, no hosting.

It should have concession stands, running water and plumbing. That means bathrooms, not port-a-poddies. I can't see anything wrong with demanding basic facilities for your patrons. As further evidence, I heard an interview with legendary Louisiana State coach Skip Bertmann. Coach was asked what was one of the first things he did to Alex Box Stadium to increase attendance. He said he added diaper changing facilities.

We want people to like college baseball and come back. Help your audience take care of life's essentials. If you can't meet this requirement, you can't host.

I know, I know. Very few Big 10 parks can host the tournament under these parameters. Honestly, I'm okay with that. Would it give some schools an advantage? I suppose it would, but having a quality park gives that program an advantage regardless. Don't you think the folks who have such facilities are going to show them off to recruits, thus giving them an advantage over the other programs long before the tournament ever takes place?

Besides, there's nothing wrong with acting like the tournament is a championship event of some import. That's because it is. The winner goes onto the NCAA Tournament.

CBS' CLOSES EYE TO BASEBALL COVERAGE
Has anyone else noticed that the baseball coverage on the website formerly known as CSTV has taken a nose-dive since the CBS generals have taken over? Their baseball homepage has been almost static for weeks. The photo of the Stanford player hasn't changed in over a month. They appear to have jettisoned friend of BTH, Doug Kroll, while you have to hunt for Eric Sorenson's latest entries. If Kroll was indeed let go, and I have absolutely zero proof of that (I'm a blogger, I'm expected to engage in speculation), Big E's stay at the eye network is probably in danger, too.

Hey, CBS big-wigs. Original content, especially on college baseball, is difficult to find. Don't you want to be different? How about cool? Keep the bald-headed, rock-and-roll, Omaha-lovin' guy around. In fact, find him a couple of cohorts. I hear this Kroll guy knows something about college baseball and might be available.

VOTING IN THE DARK
Do you ever wonder how in the world anyone votes in a college baseball poll? Seriously, if I had to participate in a weekly poll, I'd be in trouble. If I head down to the ballpark, I don't get to see the games on television. If I stay home or put the games on DVR, it's not like I'm guaranteed to see the top teams in the land each weekend.

I currently receive, courtesy of my cable provider and a growing monthly bill, the aforementioned CBS College Sports plus three Fox College Stations -- Atlantic, Central and West. Between the four of them, I get a minimal amount of live college baseball each weekend. I might get one or two top level games, but the majority of games being broadcast, especially on the Fox networks, are often games not affecting the rankings or repeats from weeks ago.

There's also no one providing a quality highlight package, either. It's not a college football Saturday night where you can at least get a taste of what the elite level programs have done that day. College baseball is almost played in a media blackout, nationally speaking.

I can't see how coaches or the media can come to informed decisions about the ranking the programs each week or voting for All-Americans or the Player of the Year awards. We, and, yes, I'm including myself here, are all voting in the dark.

Thoughts From The Weekend

As I await on another four to seven inches of snow, I bitterly ponder creating an outdoor college baseball tournament on the opening weekend of the season. I envision something like that NHL game between Pittsburgh and Buffalo on New Year's Day -- cold, windy, snowing. Instead of two northern programs, though, we invite four of those southern schools lamenting the universal start date.

The round robin tourney will be held somewhere like Traverse City, Michigan. The cherry capital just built a new minor league park. It's not far from Lake Michigan, either. I'm sure it would be ideal for baseball in February. The very PGA Tour-like title is the Universal Start Date Classic hosted by Eric Sorenson.

(Eric, buddy, lay off the universal start date. College baseball had to have it, if it wants to grow. Think of it like medicine, it might not taste good now, but it will make you better in the long run.)
In addition to this wildly ingenious, albeit spiteful, idea, I've been thinking about the weekend that was in Big Ten and around college baseball.

LESS K's = MORE W's
Minnesota's opening weekend versus Mississippi was simply terrible. The Gohpers fell by scores of 8-1, 22-5 and 15-4. While premature, many wrote off John Anderson's team only one weekend into the new season. Then along came the Dairy Queen Classic.

The Gophers defended home soil, home astroturf to be specific, by winning the DQ tournament. Minnesota fell in Friday's opener in extra innings, 7-4, to TCU. However, the Golden Gophers rebounded to take the next two games. They beat Tulane, 7-5, and Pepperdine, 5-2, to capture the DQ for the first time since 2004. One week later and the Gophers appear to be a much better team than many thoughts seven days before.

While a number of things went much better for the Gophers between week one and week two, one thing has stood out -- strikeouts. Minnesota batters fanned a remarkable 39 times against Ole Miss two weeks ago. In those three contests, the Gophers whiffed 21, 9 and 9 times.

This weekend, the Gophers struck out only 24 times. Minnesota batters fanned 14, 6 and 4 times in the Dairy Queen Classic. Minnesota has yet to win a game where they have struck out nine or more times. The games with their two lowest strikeout numbers are both victories. Sabermatericians, rejoice! Perhaps, this does mean that fewer K's = more W's.

COMMODORES STILL SINGING THE BLUES
Vanderbilt baseball fans must hate the Big Ten right about now. As you recall, the Commodores got bounced out of the NCAA Tournament last season by Michigan. Vandy entered the post-season as the top ranked team in the land, the number one seed in The Dance and regional host only to have upstart Michigan rain on their parade.

This past weekend, Iowa jumped up and took another bite out of the SEC power. The Hawkeyes prevailed over the seventh ranked Commodores, 6-3.

Any chance the SEC faithful can muster up a little respect for the Big Ten now? I didn't think so, either. But, I figured I'd ask.

CRAWLING FOR SCORES
In my ongoing search to watch college baseball this past weekend, I flipped through all the potential channels that might televise such an event. In coming across CSTV, I found a women's lacrosse match. In stopping to watch the Notre Dame vs. Stanford affair, I glanced at CSTV's crawl.

I noted college basketball scores, both men's and women's. Completely appropriate. I also saw hockey scores. It's hockey season, I'm good with that. However, I failed to notice any baseball scores sliding across the bottom of my screen. Was I mistaken? Did I not wait long enough? Are baseball scores not posted as frequently? Do they not post baseball scores at all? This is College Sports Television, right?

WAITING TO BOIL
Remember what I said about Purdue in my season preview?

However, Purdue is probably the most enigmatic team in the Big
Ten.

After losing three straight hard fought, one-run affairs against nationally ranked Baylor in Waco, Purdue looked like a team ready to take flight. Alas, the Boilermakers have gone the opposite direction. After dropping three more versus Western Kentucky, the Boilermakers are off to their worst start in a forever. (Technically, the '08 Boilers are tied for the worst start in the 121 year history of the program.)

I'm not sure what to say other than this is so typical of Purdue. You just can't figure out what you are going to get from them. Well, I can't anyway. My advice for the Purdue visitors here? Be patient. Much like the weather in the midwest, the Boilers' performance could and probably will change several more times before the season's end.

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN ANN ARBOR AND OMAHA
My initial reaction to Arizona State's two triumphs over Michigan was that Omaha seemed much further away from Ann Arbor than it did before last Thursday. However, my overall feeling is that Arizona State is just crazy good. There are very few programs as loaded as the Sun Devils are this year and they have come out of the gate on fire.

Even if ASU is the class of the college baseball field this year (and that's not a given), I get the feeling Michigan needs to play better baseball in 2008 than it did in 2007, if they hope to play in Omaha this June.

Michigan can swing the bats with almost anybody, but the questions about their pitching (especially the bullpen) and their ability to win low scoring games will remain until proven otherwise.

Editor's Note (3/8/08): Eric Sorenson at CBS College Sports, formerly CSTV, emailed me to clarify his position on the universal start date. (Mostly 'cause I sort of implied he didn't at the top of this post.) Big E actually loves the USD. He does poke some fun at it, but fully embraces the idea as one necessary for the overall health of college baseball.

Lots Of Links

A staple here at BTH, a post filled with nothing but other people's work. The good news is that there is steadily more to choose from each season.

The Big Ten's Players of the Week are Northwestern's Mike Kalina and Ohio State's J.B. Shuck.

You can preview Iowa's trip to Nashville.

Michigan tied the New York Mets in an exhibition game on Tuesday afternoon, while the Wolverines' next opponent, #1 Arizona State, might be in a bit of hot water.

Michigan State has a nine game stretch beginning at the Lamar Invitational. A Spartans' baseball preview can be found here.

Time for some DQ. The Minnesota athletic department previews the Dairy Queen Classic.

CSTV's Eric Sorenson rightly implies that I'm a hack (well, all of us internet guys, not just me) and does leave space to mention a couple of Big Ten programs in his Sunday Summations.

It's not directly baseball related, but Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo isn't all that excited about the Big Ten Network right now. (Hat tip to Ian at Bless You Boys for pointing me towards the Detroit News link.)

Happy Valley Hardball does the sabermetric thing and provides hitting stats for the entire Big Ten and the Nittany Lions.

The Buckeye Nine has a Q&A with Ohio State pitcher Dan DeLucia.

Tom at The Baseball Zealot opted for the wrong guest for TBZ Radio's 40th episode. Yes, it's me. I'm blaming all the snow I had to shovel for my rambling performance. Of course, what my excuse it isn't snowing?

CSTV Previews The Big Ten

Eric Sorenson got the job of previewing the Big Ten race for CSTV. His submission can be found here. Fellow CSTVer Doug Kroll provides us with a post on Michigan's upcoming season. Finally, Wolverines' P/DH Zach Putnam is ninth in CSTV's preseason Player of the Year voting.

CSTV Links And Shameless Self Promotion

In addition to his football beat, CSTV's Eric Sorenson has been cranking out monthly baseball columns this off-season. In October, Eric mentioned yours truly and this little piece of cyberspace while discussing the stadium projects underway around the conference.

Now, saying nice things about BTH doesn't get you a link in return. Well, come to think of it, yeah, it does get you a link. However, it doesn't necessarily get you a timely one. (Sorry, E. I've been watching a little basketball and enjoying the off-season.)

This month, Eric reviews his 2008 Omaha predictions and stops to ponder a certain Big Ten program.

While I'm plugging CSTV employees, Doug Kroll has his list of top returning firstbasemen and Michigan's Nate Recknagel gets an "On The Radar" mention. That places Recknagel in the top ten returning firstbasemen. At a position that's traditionally loaded, that's high praise.

Buckeyes In Omaha

You read that correctly. CSTV's Eric Sorenson is predicting that Ohio State will be in the 2008 College World Series. (No doubt they are forming a posse in Ann Arbor as I type.) Don't take my word for it, go read his his column.

I have to go rest now. I've apparently got two more weeks of intense blogging on the docket for '08. I also need to figure out how I'm going to get to Nebraska next June.

Post-Regional Links

Michael Spath, of The Wolverine.com, reviews the regional championship game.

CSTV's Eric Sorenson passes out grades to all 64 teams.

Kendall Rogers, Rivals.com, gets a look at a stunned Vanderbilt side.

Baseball America's Aaron Fitt talks regionals and super-regionals.

Michigan's triumph has them back in BA's Top 25.

Detroit Free Press writer Mark Snyder recaps Michigan's win.

Bryan Mullen, ESPNU, files this report on the Nashville Regional.

The Michigan Daily's Courtney Ratkowiak thinks the Big Ten proved it's worth this past weekend.

CSTV Links

I'd like to talk about the conference race, but time doesn't permit that this evening. I hope to get to it tomorrow. Until then, I'll leave you with some links to three items at CSTV worth checking out. (And, no, I'm not getting a dime from the network.)

Both Michigan and Minnesota remain in CSTV's NCAA Tournament projections.

Alas, both Mike Mee (Minnesota) and Lars Davis (Illinois) are no longer garnering votes in CSTV's Player of the Year race.

Eric Sorenson talks with Minnesota Head Coach John Anderson. It's a must read.

A Little Monday Post

Yes, I'm still working on the All-Weekend Team. It's a bit like pulling teeth this week. Lots of players with extremely similar stats. (Who deserves it more -- the guy with 5 runs and 3 RBI or the guy with 3 runs and 5 RBI?) Rest assured, I am going to provide the AWT at some point. Tuesday being my first choice.

Until then, might I suggest reading Eric Sorenson's Sunday Summations? Eric was in Minneapolis last weekend as the Gophers hosted Ohio State. E's got lots to say about just about everything -- the city, the ballpark, the players, the ump. Although, I don't think he said anything about the food. What's up with that?

Welcome, Stitch Heads

I should take a moment to welcome those of you who have been led here by CSTV's Eric Sorenson. Eric, the Grand Poobah of Stitched-Ball Nation, has been sending props this way for a couple of days. First, in an interview with Corn Nation, then in his weekly Thursday Thoughts column.

I thank Eric for his praise of Big Ten Hardball and welcome all of his readers to college baseball in the north. Don't worry, though. It's May. We haven't seen snow in weeks.

(By the way, E, my mother wants to have a word with you about this "pimping" nonsense.)

The Big Ten Is "IT"

I missed this post from Eric Sorenson, CSTV's baseball guru, on Thursday, but it is still worthy of sharing. Eric did a list of the "IT" things in college baseball. Well, guess who he selected as the "IT" conference?

- The IT conference: The Big 10 I'm not saying they've got the best win percentage or best RPI or anything, but this has been a great year for the Big 10ers. Michigan and Minnesota lead the way with a number of marquee wins. In a nutshell, everyone has improved significantly this season.

To quote the late Mel Allen, "How about that?!".

(Sorry, I missed that post, E. These adult responsibilities keep me from reading everything I should. At least that's the excuse I'm currently using.)

Some National Love From CSTV

CSTV.com's Doug Kroll wrote a piece on northern baseball, in particular, focusing on the new facilities in the Big Ten Conference. It's worth a read for those interested in such things. (A baseball column about northern schools? Maybe Sorenson is wearing off on the CSTV staff?)

Speaking of Eric, he has both Michigan and Minnesota in his Mid-Major Top 10. Now, thinking of Big Ten programs as mid-majors is no doubt going to cause some discomfort for old school football and basketball fans. To which I say "Good". Be annoyed enough at the thought of your program being a mid-major to, at very least, put some more money into baseball. At most, write a few checks, show up at the yard and support your team. Besides, we would love to see you.

Links-A-Plenty

Valpo steamrolled Northwestern, 10-1. I'm just not sure what to say.

Indiana State's triumph over Indiana, 9-7, is equally puzzling. Andrew Means had four hits, scored three times and drove in two. Jon Fixler had three hits and three RBI.

Michigan's Adam Abraham, Purdue's Alex Jaffee and Illinois' Mike Stankiewicz were named the Big Ten's (Co-)Players and Pitcher of the Week, respectively.

We've got regional projections! CSTV.com takes a stab at the 64 team field. Both Michigan and Minnesota are in.

CSTV's Eric Sorenson named Michigan as his Midwest team of the week. Eric also called out the polls for not having the Wolverines in the Top 25. See, it's not just me.

Here are Warren Nolan.com's RPI figures for your review. For comparison, here are the latest pseudo-RPI numbers from Boyd's World.

Ping! Baseball.com has the University of Michigan as it's Spotlight Team of the Week. (Yeah, it's a season preview piece, but I'll take all the Big Ten love I can find.) The gang at Ping! also have Michigan ranked number 25 this week.

Ohio State designated hitter Jacob Howell is one of thirty finalists for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Howell is the only Big Ten player on the list.

Paul Cordes of The Minnesota Daily wraps up the Gophers homestand against Iowa.

The Indiana Daily Student's Lee Hurwitz previews IU's game against Indiana State. (Yes, I gave the result of this game earlier. Work with me here, I'm trying to dig up every piece of Big Ten baseball news I can find.)

Alex Prosperi of The Michigan Daily profiles Doug Pickens.

The finale of the Penn State at Michigan State series is reviewed by Tom Keller of The State News.

Jake Simpson of The Daily Northwestern recaps NU's Sunday encounter with Illinois.

The Daily Collegian's Chris Agostini notes Penn State's big win over MSU Sunday.

Purdue's offense versus Indiana is the topic for Brian Petraits of The Exponent.

Yes, boys and girls, I'm working on the All-Weekend Team. Maybe today. Maybe tomorrow. Be patient.

Some Big Ten Love

Eric Sorenson, of CSTV fame and fortune, says some nice things about the baseball programs in the Big Ten in his Thursday's Thoughts feature. Eric is one of the few, okay, he's the only national baseball writer that routinely acknowledges the programs in the north. (If I'm not mistaken, CSTV is using a picture of Michigan's Chris Fetter on it's homepage linked to E's article.)

By the way, does anyone in Big Ten country have a cable provider that picks-up CSTV?

Thoughts From The Weekend

Yes, it's another thrilling edition of "Thoughts From The Weekend". In today's episode, I'll clean up some missing links from Sunday, look at some of the big wins since Friday and try to crank out another All-Weekend Team. Who knows what else I might type, so why not tag along?

Boxing Up Those Links
There were several boxscores that I never got around to providing links for Sunday night. While I suspect that if you were truly interested you would have obtained this information by now, it gives me something to fill space with.

There's Game One between Minnesota and Arkansas. The Hogs prevailed 5-1, not that we need to revisit that final. Of course, there's Game Two, as well. The Gophers emerged victorious, 10-5, in the finale of the Dairy Queen Classic. I do wonder if the doubleheader splits with Ole Miss and Arkansas will serve Minnesota better in the RPI and SOS categories? If The Citadel had been able the make the trip, the doubleheaders would never have happened. Perhaps, we will look back on this as a boost to the Gophers at-large tournament hopes. (Should they need an at-large berth.)

There's Purdue's 13-1 drubbing of Western Kentucky. The win gave the Boilers a weekend sweep. Purdue bats started out hot and stayed that way all weekend long.

Finally, in a game that I had no information about 48 hours ago, Michigan State pounded on St. Joseph's 22-1. Yep, that's a twenty-two. Needless to say, there were plenty of offensive stars to choose from. However, in the interest of keeping you informed, freshman RF Eli Boike paced the Spartans with four RBI. 1B Evan Friedland had three hits, three RBI and scored three times. Brandon Doherty and Steve Gerstenberger had three hits a piece, as well. Craig Brookes got the win going five innings allowing only two hits and a walk.

Beating The Big Boys
The Big Ten had a good showing this weekend. Big Ten programs downed Mississippi State (in Starkville), Troy, #15 Arkansas, #16 Mississippi, #3 North Carolina, Notre Dame and #22 Nebraska.

There will undoubtedly be naysayers. I can hear their excuses already. Iowa won a rain shortened affair both days. Minnesota played at home. Penn State should have been swept, but for a fluky ninth inning homer. Michigan altered its pitching rotation to beat Mississippi State. This is a down year for "fill in the school a Big Ten program beat this weekend here". Yada, yada, yada.

While Minnesota's doubleheader splits with #15 Arkansas and #16 Ole Miss and Michigan's Saturday sweep of Troy and Mississippi State were great for both schools and the conference's street cred (not to mention their RPI), both programs are considered powers, albeit Big Ten powers. What should raise an eyebrow south of the Mason-Dixon line is that neither Iowa or Penn State are considered among the Big Ten's baseball elite.

Yet, Iowa pummeled a Notre Dame program -- the only one in the snowbelt that has any credibility with the national media, then turned around and came back from trailing 8-0 to beat the 'Huskers, 12-8. Rain, schmain. The Hawkeyes beat up Irish and Cornhusker pitching. It might not happen again, but it did happen this weekend.

Meanwhile, Robbie Wine's young men gave highly ranked North Carolina (Baseball America has the 'Heels #1) all they could handle over three days. The Nittany Lions managed only one late inning triumph, but lost Sunday by only a run and handled themselves rather well in hostile territory. A Big Ten program goes on the road against a Top 5 nationally ranked program and you think "embarrassment". I think it's safe to say that PSU wasn't embarrassed.

Now, before you dismiss my clearly biased praise, take a look at one national media guy said about the Big Ten's weekend. CSTV's Eric Sorenson has some love for the entire conference in his Teams of the Week feature. Way to spread that love, E.

The All-Weekend Team
I could probably just name every Purdue batter to the All-Weekend Team and be safe. The Boilers beat the snot out of the ball this weekend. However, to keep things balanced and avoid charges of laziness or being a Purdue homer, I'll assemble a team with something in addition to Boilermakers. Oh, please remember the math here is mine. I was not a math major. For good reason. Anyway, here goes.

C - Lars Davis, Illinois (8 for 15, 2 3b, 5 runs, 5 rbi)
C - Spencer Ingaldson, Purdue (9 for 13, 3 2b, 8 runs, 2 rbi)
1B - Ryne White, Purdue (7 for 11, 3 bb, 6 runs, 5 rbi)
2B- Evan Crawford, Indiana (8 for 15, 4 runs, 3 rbi)
SS- Keith Haas, Indiana (5 for 13, HR, 3 runs, 6 rbi)
3B- Nate Recknagel, Michigan (6 for 14, 3 HR, 4 runs, 6 rbi)
OF - Kyle Hudson, Illinois (8 for 12, 4 runs, 5 rbi, 2 sb)
OF - Jordan Comadena, Purdue (9 for 15, 2 hr, 3 2b, 7 runs, 6 rbi, 2 sb)
OF - Travis Sweet, Iowa (6 for 8, 5 runs, 4 rbi, sb)
OF - Mike Mee, Minnesota (6 for 13, 3 2b, 3b, 3 runs, 2 rbi, 2 sb)
DH- Andy Preston, Purdue (7 for 12, 2 HR, 4 runs, 5 rbi)
SP - Cory Luebke, Ohio State (W, 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 11 K vs. Lehigh)
SP - Zach Putnam, Michigan (W, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K vs. Miss. State)
SP - Ricky Heines, Purdue (W, 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K vs. Western Ky.)
SP - Craig Clark, Penn State (ND, 8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K vs. UNC)
SP - Josh Lindblom, Purdue (W, 7 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K vs. Western Ky.)
RP - Drew O'Neil, Penn State (W, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K vs. UNC)

Ok, I cheated a bit. I took two catchers this week. Oh, like you could have picked just one. I crammed in an extra outfielder, too. I just couldn't leave any of the four guys out. I also slid Michigan's Recknagel over to third. Hey, he did play there this weekend, it's just not his normal position. Alright, maybe I cheated quite a bit. It was exceptionally difficult to bypass anyone this week.

In spite of my various alterations, I more than likely missed someone. If I did, please email me.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of my weekend round-up. Hopefully, I can get next week's to you in more prompt fashion. Remember, March is here. College baseball will be back here soon.