2026 Baseball Mega Thread

[AppSt94]

One of the announcers yesterday pointed out that Texas St was moving to a new conference and said that maybe we play them again some time. I know he was just talking but zero chance we spend the money traveling there for even a weekend series. This talk of scheduling is interesting. I can’t imagine many schools at our level with limited resources trying to travel very far for non conference games. Does the baseball team fly much at all? Scheduling big boys is probably easier said than done and there is the other side for scheduling- the other teams need availability as well.

UNCW travels to UNC and state. EasyU does the same. Realize out travel is a little further each way. However other schools are doing it. Maybe it is funding and costs.

From an RPI perspective, I would think that those schools are more attractive opponents than App.

Agree with that. My overall point is that we need to play higher rpi schools. Early season weekend series with those schools are probably more enticing to our players and the fans

I don’t disagree. But regardless of how attractive we see a potential suitor to be, they have to feel the same about App.

[311neers]

One of the announcers yesterday pointed out that Texas St was moving to a new conference and said that maybe we play them again some time. I know he was just talking but zero chance we spend the money traveling there for even a weekend series. This talk of scheduling is interesting. I can’t imagine many schools at our level with limited resources trying to travel very far for non conference games. Does the baseball team fly much at all? Scheduling big boys is probably easier said than done and there is the other side for scheduling- the other teams need availability as well.

We usually flew one time a year back in the SoCon/Early SBC days for an OOC.

Yes, but Spirit Airlines is not accessible now..

That was so long ago it was actually Hooters air.

[SlappyAppy72]

I remember going to Tennessee for 3 in 2019 and we didn't score a run all weekend. Went to ECU, UNCW, and Miami for 3 each in 2021 and got swept by all of them.

I'm not saying that I disagree with the "scheduling harder" discussion (especially when we get swept by GW), but I don't think it's as easy as we're making it sound on this thread. And I don't envy the person/people in charge of tip-toeing the scheduling line of going after wins or RPI boosts. Of course, in a perfect world, every game/weekend would be winnable but we all know that's not the case.

This is a program that has made 4 total regionals and 1 in the past 40 years so, while I absolutely want to be in that discussion, I don't think that's the best barometer for success. What incentives do the staff have in their contracts? 30 wins? Top 5 in SBC? I have no clue, but I'd think those incentives set the bar for what success means.

[BambooRdApp]

One of the announcers yesterday pointed out that Texas St was moving to a new conference and said that maybe we play them again some time. I know he was just talking but zero chance we spend the money traveling there for even a weekend series. This talk of scheduling is interesting. I can’t imagine many schools at our level with limited resources trying to travel very far for non conference games. Does the baseball team fly much at all? Scheduling big boys is probably easier said than done and there is the other side for scheduling- the other teams need availability as well.

UNCW travels to UNC and state. EasyU does the same. Realize out travel is a little further each way. However other schools are doing it. Maybe it is funding and costs.

From an RPI perspective, I would think that those schools are more attractive opponents than App.

Agree with that. My overall point is that we need to play higher rpi schools. Early season weekend series with those schools are probably more enticing to our players and the fans

I don’t disagree. But regardless of how attractive we see a potential suitor to be, they have to feel the same about App.

This is part of the reason for my question in another post...is it due to the HC turning down opportunities? Opponents not giving us the opportunity?
It is easy to blame the coach, AD about scheduling... what they may be trying, however they are not getting their phone calls answered.
I have no clue. It could be we have had opportunities and turned them down too. No clue on that either. To say our scheduling is a philosophy that we only care about winning the SBC tournament or bust (so we schedule easy or local with no consideration of rpi) is disingenuous without knowing all the variables.

[311neers]

I remember going to Tennessee for 3 in 2019 and we didn't score a run all weekend. Went to ECU, UNCW, and Miami for 3 each in 2021 and got swept by all of them.

I'm not saying that I disagree with the "scheduling harder" discussion (especially when we get swept by GW), but I don't think it's as easy as we're making it sound on this thread. And I don't envy the person/people in charge of tip-toeing the scheduling line of going after wins or RPI boosts. Of course, in a perfect world, every game/weekend would be winnable but we all know that's not the case.

This is a program that has made 4 total regionals and 1 in the past 40 years so, while I absolutely want to be in that discussion, I don't think that's the best barometer for success. What incentives do the staff have in their contracts? 30 wins? Top 5 in SBC? I have no clue, but I'd think those incentives set the bar for what success means.

I don't recall going to Miami then. We did in 2011 though. And won one.
We're also a better program today then we were in that 2015-2020 stretch where Billy destroyed us.

The schedule doesn't need much work. Just one big time series is all most are asking for and to keep the competitive midweeks strong.

[Boone Goon]

Tell us you know nothing about RPI consideration without telling us you do not understand rpi and factoring into an at large bid.

The discussion was around scheduling a series OOC.

Sorry. Let me rephrase my comment...You sir, know nothing about college baseball, athletics' budgets, App State's funding, our roster make up, Kermit's skills, abilities or priorities, collegiate scheduling or pretty much anything else you've commented on in this thread.

I'm very familiar with RPI. I'm also aware that the NCAA is reducing the value it puts on RPI for this season. Most D1 head coaches agree with the decision to devalue it, but disagree with the timing since schedules are set 12-24 months out. 311's recommendation to schedule UGA for a mid-week or an early season series is of low value to the Diamond Apps. UGA already has 20 Quad-4 games on their schedule. Replacing us for Queens won't change their RPI, which as of today is 54, and it increases their odds of taking an L. For us, we get little to no value from playing them early in the season when we're still trying to figure out who should be in the lineup and where they're best suited to play.

Sorry, not sorry if my comments hurt your feelings, but facts don't care about feelings. You can be a fan and you can have opinions, but know that you're comments to date make you look silly and ignorant. My advice is cheer for the Black & Gold. Celebrate this 30 win season and be grateful Kermit is your skipper.

[311neers]

Troy up on S. Ala 7-3 in the 8th.

So we probably are looking at a 145ish start given that they finish around 1pm.

[BambooRdApp]

Tell us you know nothing about RPI consideration without telling us you do not understand rpi and factoring into an at large bid.

The discussion was around scheduling a series OOC.

Sorry. Let me rephrase my comment...You sir, know nothing about college baseball, athletics' budgets, App State's funding, our roster make up, Kermit's skills, abilities or priorities, collegiate scheduling or pretty much anything else you've commented on in this thread.

I'm very familiar with RPI. I'm also aware that the NCAA is reducing the value it puts on RPI for this season. Most D1 head coaches agree with the decision to devalue it, but disagree with the timing since schedules are set 12-24 months out. 311's recommendation to schedule UGA for a mid-week or an early season series is of low value to the Diamond Apps. UGA already has 20 Quad-4 games on their schedule. Replacing us for Queens won't change their RPI, which as of today is 54, and it increases their odds of taking an L. For us, we get little to no value from playing them early in the season when we're still trying to figure out who should be in the lineup and where they're best suited to play.

Sorry, not sorry if my comments hurt your feelings, but facts don't care about feelings. You can be a fan and you can have opinions, but know that you're comments to date make you look silly and ignorant. My advice is cheer for the Black & Gold. Celebrate this 30 win season and be grateful Kermit is your skipper.

.
That made me laugh out loud.
You live up to your YC handle.. Goon..

[SlappyAppy72]

I remember going to Tennessee for 3 in 2019 and we didn't score a run all weekend. Went to ECU, UNCW, and Miami for 3 each in 2021 and got swept by all of them.

I'm not saying that I disagree with the "scheduling harder" discussion (especially when we get swept by GW), but I don't think it's as easy as we're making it sound on this thread. And I don't envy the person/people in charge of tip-toeing the scheduling line of going after wins or RPI boosts. Of course, in a perfect world, every game/weekend would be winnable but we all know that's not the case.

This is a program that has made 4 total regionals and 1 in the past 40 years so, while I absolutely want to be in that discussion, I don't think that's the best barometer for success. What incentives do the staff have in their contracts? 30 wins? Top 5 in SBC? I have no clue, but I'd think those incentives set the bar for what success means.

I don't recall going to Miami then. We did in 2011 though. And won one.
We're also a better program today then we were in that 2015-2020 stretch where Billy destroyed us.

The schedule doesn't need much work. Just one big time series is all most are asking for and to keep the competitive midweeks strong.

Think it was a Spring Break trip. Remember Hector Crespo hooking the team up with some Spring Training access and Derek Jeter (or maybe A-Rod) riding by on a golf cart and saying something about App beating Michigan. These stories play into your point about the memories for the team.

Just looked at Mercer's schedule, who has an RPI of 27 - they had Troy at home for 3 (won 2/3), went to Oregon State for 3 (got swept), and played Florida State (got crushed) and GT (won) once mid-week. Obviously winning on the road against the #3 team in the country helps a lot, but the SBC is light years better than the SoCon so it clearly doesn't take a ton - probably just one big time P4 weekend series for us. Of course, winning over 40 games doesn't hurt. They also got swept by Western.

[311neers]

I remember going to Tennessee for 3 in 2019 and we didn't score a run all weekend. Went to ECU, UNCW, and Miami for 3 each in 2021 and got swept by all of them.

I'm not saying that I disagree with the "scheduling harder" discussion (especially when we get swept by GW), but I don't think it's as easy as we're making it sound on this thread. And I don't envy the person/people in charge of tip-toeing the scheduling line of going after wins or RPI boosts. Of course, in a perfect world, every game/weekend would be winnable but we all know that's not the case.

This is a program that has made 4 total regionals and 1 in the past 40 years so, while I absolutely want to be in that discussion, I don't think that's the best barometer for success. What incentives do the staff have in their contracts? 30 wins? Top 5 in SBC? I have no clue, but I'd think those incentives set the bar for what success means.

I don't recall going to Miami then. We did in 2011 though. And won one.
We're also a better program today then we were in that 2015-2020 stretch where Billy destroyed us.

The schedule doesn't need much work. Just one big time series is all most are asking for and to keep the competitive midweeks strong.

Think it was a Spring Break trip. Remember Hector Crespo hooking the team up with some Spring Training access and Derek Jeter (or maybe A-Rod) riding by on a golf cart and saying something about App beating Michigan. These stories play into your point about the memories for the team.

Just looked at Mercer's schedule, who has an RPI of 27 - they had Troy at home for 3 (won 2/3), went to Oregon State for 3 (got swept), and played Florida State (got crushed) and GT (won) once mid-week. Obviously winning on the road against the #3 team in the country helps a lot, but the SBC is light years better than the SoCon so it clearly doesn't take a ton - probably just one big time P4 weekend series for us. Of course, winning over 40 games doesn't hurt. They also got swept by Western.

Ugh- Western is beating everyone. I can't stand how they have our number!
Love Hecky! Great guy.

[311neers]

Tell us you know nothing about RPI consideration without telling us you do not understand rpi and factoring into an at large bid.

The discussion was around scheduling a series OOC.

Sorry. Let me rephrase my comment...You sir, know nothing about college baseball, athletics' budgets, App State's funding, our roster make up, Kermit's skills, abilities or priorities, collegiate scheduling or pretty much anything else you've commented on in this thread.

I'm very familiar with RPI. I'm also aware that the NCAA is reducing the value it puts on RPI for this season. Most D1 head coaches agree with the decision to devalue it, but disagree with the timing since schedules are set 12-24 months out. 311's recommendation to schedule UGA for a mid-week or an early season series is of low value to the Diamond Apps. UGA already has 20 Quad-4 games on their schedule. Replacing us for Queens won't change their RPI, which as of today is 54, and it increases their odds of taking an L. For us, we get little to no value from playing them early in the season when we're still trying to figure out who should be in the lineup and where they're best suited to play.

Sorry, not sorry if my comments hurt your feelings, but facts don't care about feelings. You can be a fan and you can have opinions, but know that you're comments to date make you look silly and ignorant. My advice is cheer for the Black & Gold. Celebrate this 30 win season and be grateful Kermit is your skipper.

Not to nitpick but I was just saying that we have played those types of games in the past. Wasn't recommending to go 4 hours for every midweek.
I wouldn't hate a midweek at UGA like Western did. Or a 3 game set at UGA like Samford did.
If we played a series vs. UGA (or any elite team) we would have a top 80 RPI so it would be a Q3 game for them, not a Q4.
They also have an RPI of 14...not 54.
https://www.warrennolan.com/baseball/20 ... am=Georgia

I agree- 30 wins is an awesome mark for us, especially after how we started. Kermit has done a heck of a job with zero money.
We had a chance to get to 33+ wins but got hurt down the stretch and kicked a couple guys off.


Finish strong today and beat the teal turds.

[311neers]

Troy is still scoring. B8 10-3.

We really need to start our game soon. Maybe now it's 2pm?
Storms are rolling in later today.

Do your weather dance!

[311neers]

Whew.
Smith is playing.
DuPont is out. Soul starting.

[311neers]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... ment-week/

3 Current Locks- UL, USM, Coastal
2 next 4 in- Troy and Tx State (Troy is about to win today)
1 on the fence- So. ALabama (probably out)

Looks like maybe 3-5 teams this year from the SBC. So, teams below us in the SBC might make the tournament...why?

Let's play some ball!

[Boone Goon]

Tell us you know nothing about RPI consideration without telling us you do not understand rpi and factoring into an at large bid.

The discussion was around scheduling a series OOC.

Sorry. Let me rephrase my comment...You sir, know nothing about college baseball, athletics' budgets, App State's funding, our roster make up, Kermit's skills, abilities or priorities, collegiate scheduling or pretty much anything else you've commented on in this thread.

I'm very familiar with RPI. I'm also aware that the NCAA is reducing the value it puts on RPI for this season. Most D1 head coaches agree with the decision to devalue it, but disagree with the timing since schedules are set 12-24 months out. 311's recommendation to schedule UGA for a mid-week or an early season series is of low value to the Diamond Apps. UGA already has 20 Quad-4 games on their schedule. Replacing us for Queens won't change their RPI, which as of today is 54, and it increases their odds of taking an L. For us, we get little to no value from playing them early in the season when we're still trying to figure out who should be in the lineup and where they're best suited to play.

Sorry, not sorry if my comments hurt your feelings, but facts don't care about feelings. You can be a fan and you can have opinions, but know that you're comments to date make you look silly and ignorant. My advice is cheer for the Black & Gold. Celebrate this 30 win season and be grateful Kermit is your skipper.

Not to nitpick but I was just saying that we have played those types of games in the past. Wasn't recommending to go 4 hours for every midweek.
I wouldn't hate a midweek at UGA like Western did. Or a 3 game set at UGA like Samford did.
If we played a series vs. UGA (or any elite team) we would have a top 80 RPI so it would be a Q3 game for them, not a Q4.
They also have an RPI of 14...not 54.
https://www.warrennolan.com/baseball/20 ... am=Georgia

I agree- 30 wins is an awesome mark for us, especially after how we started. Kermit has done a heck of a job with zero money.
We had a chance to get to 33+ wins but got hurt down the stretch and kicked a couple guys off.


Finish strong today and beat the teal turds.

My bad, I meant their SOS is 54. RPI is 14.

There's always opportunities to schedule some of these P4 teams, especially in the Southeast early in the season, but it won't change our likelihood of an At-Large Bid. Personally, I'd rather see App scheduling games across NC where it's easier for us alumni to go watch them play in person. UGA, Georgia Tech, UNCC, Davidson, UNC, State, Duke, Elon, Wake, all make sense, but they should be sprinkled in on a 5 year rotational basis, which they have been. 10+ years back App did the pre-season Irish Classic at USA Baseball in Cary. Played Michigan, and several other schools from up north.

[311neers]

Tell us you know nothing about RPI consideration without telling us you do not understand rpi and factoring into an at large bid.

The discussion was around scheduling a series OOC.

Sorry. Let me rephrase my comment...You sir, know nothing about college baseball, athletics' budgets, App State's funding, our roster make up, Kermit's skills, abilities or priorities, collegiate scheduling or pretty much anything else you've commented on in this thread.

I'm very familiar with RPI. I'm also aware that the NCAA is reducing the value it puts on RPI for this season. Most D1 head coaches agree with the decision to devalue it, but disagree with the timing since schedules are set 12-24 months out. 311's recommendation to schedule UGA for a mid-week or an early season series is of low value to the Diamond Apps. UGA already has 20 Quad-4 games on their schedule. Replacing us for Queens won't change their RPI, which as of today is 54, and it increases their odds of taking an L. For us, we get little to no value from playing them early in the season when we're still trying to figure out who should be in the lineup and where they're best suited to play.

Sorry, not sorry if my comments hurt your feelings, but facts don't care about feelings. You can be a fan and you can have opinions, but know that you're comments to date make you look silly and ignorant. My advice is cheer for the Black & Gold. Celebrate this 30 win season and be grateful Kermit is your skipper.

Not to nitpick but I was just saying that we have played those types of games in the past. Wasn't recommending to go 4 hours for every midweek.
I wouldn't hate a midweek at UGA like Western did. Or a 3 game set at UGA like Samford did.
If we played a series vs. UGA (or any elite team) we would have a top 80 RPI so it would be a Q3 game for them, not a Q4.
They also have an RPI of 14...not 54.
https://www.warrennolan.com/baseball/20 ... am=Georgia

I agree- 30 wins is an awesome mark for us, especially after how we started. Kermit has done a heck of a job with zero money.
We had a chance to get to 33+ wins but got hurt down the stretch and kicked a couple guys off.


Finish strong today and beat the teal turds.

My bad, I meant their SOS is 54. RPI is 14.

There's always opportunities to schedule some of these P4 teams, especially in the Southeast early in the season, but it won't change our likelihood of an At-Large Bid. Personally, I'd rather see App scheduling games across NC where it's easier for us alumni to go watch them play in person. UGA, Georgia Tech, UNCC, Davidson, UNC, State, Duke, Elon, Wake, all make sense, but they should be sprinkled in on a 5 year rotational basis, which they have been. 10+ years back App did the pre-season Irish Classic at USA Baseball in Cary. Played Michigan, and several other schools from up north.

Yes that was an awesome tourney!
I remember Craig Biggio was there- his son played for Michigan or ND- can’t recall, but he was so good.

[BambooRdApp]

2:04 start time per App. St. Baseball

[T-Dog]

There's a lot of scouts behind home plate today? Who are they looking at, Burt Reynolds?

[Stonewall]

Flukey

[BambooRdApp]

A 97 mph heater