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The Power Four => Big Ten => Topic started by: OrangeAfroMan on May 30, 2026, 06:09:20 PM

Title: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 30, 2026, 06:09:20 PM
Nobody cares, but here's the 2026 CWS
.
Hosting Regionals:
1 UCLA
2 GA Tech
3 Georgia
4 Auburn
5 UNC
6 Texas
7 Alabama
8 Florida
9 So. Miss
10 FSU
11 Oregon
12 A&M
13 Nebraska
14 Miss St
15 KU
16 WV
.
UCLA is the first overall #1 seed to lose its first game.
First time Kansas has ever been a national seed.
.
I find it noteworthy that the only B1G teams in the entire tournament are all newbies (UCLA, USC, Oregon, Nebraska).  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on May 30, 2026, 06:39:47 PM
obviously you haven't followed Big Ten baseball the past few decades
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on May 30, 2026, 06:47:28 PM
Nebraska Baseball will start Ty Horn tonight versus Ole Miss per Nebraska Athletics. Horn has a 3.97 ERA this season.⚾

I'll be watching the Huskers tonight at 7 central - hosting a regional first time since 2008

________________________________

I'll be almost more interested in the Lady Huskers in the College World Series in OKC takin on Bama
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on May 30, 2026, 09:15:11 PM
I'll be almost more interested in the Lady Huskers in the College World Series in OKC takin on Bama
not a great night for the lady Huskers

Nebraska softball will face Texas in an elimination game tomorrow at 2 p.m. CST on ABC.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on May 30, 2026, 11:35:58 PM
Baseball playoffs are too expansive in my view.  A great team can easily get knocked out at some point.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on May 31, 2026, 10:23:53 AM
Baseball playoffs are too expansive in my view.  A great team can easily get knocked out at some point.


But even if that happens, generally the teams that make it to the CWS are all good and deserving, and the team that wins it all is worthy.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on May 31, 2026, 10:24:45 AM
not a great night for the lady Huskers

Nebraska softball will face Texas in an elimination game tomorrow at 2 p.m. CST on ABC.

Yeah expected a little more out of both teams but here we are.  I believe the series is 1-1 this year.  Decisive Game 3.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 31, 2026, 10:45:15 AM
Auburn lost to UW-Milwaukee.

Not a good look.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on May 31, 2026, 10:55:19 AM
the best team doesn't always win in Baseball
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on May 31, 2026, 10:55:57 AM
Auburn lost to UW-Milwaukee.

Not a good look.
Great look for Milwaukee.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on May 31, 2026, 10:56:05 AM
obviously you haven't followed Big Ten baseball the past few decades
Michigan made it to the final NC series a few years ago.  But aside from that, yeah...
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on May 31, 2026, 12:10:35 PM
But even if that happens, generally the teams that make it to the CWS are all good and deserving, and the team that wins it all is worthy.

It’s funny, someone pointed out maybe 15 years ago that in the majors with seven game series, the team with a better record only won about 52% of the time. And that’s in seven games (maybe it included 5-gamers)

But there’s just something about that double elimination bracket where if you ain’t good, you had best discover some secretly good deep pitching or absolutely murder baseballs all weekend (and if you’re good, and don’t play well, I guess tough shit).

and then you hit the supers, we’re usually one team is quite good and you either are that team or you gotta beat that team. It honestly feels like a great sort of “prove it” tournament. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on May 31, 2026, 12:12:54 PM
Michigan made it to the final NC series a few years ago.  But aside from that, yeah...
A number of years ago, I was chatting with a midwestern mid-major coach who spent time in the Big Ten. I asked him about southern teams, as I had spent a few years in a baseball hot bed before then. His response:

”oh, they’re basically playing a different sport down there” in terms of team building. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on May 31, 2026, 04:51:34 PM
Yeah, its like starting a Frozen Four thread on an SEC board.

Although at least the Big Ten (aside from Wisconsin) is at least trying a little
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 31, 2026, 04:57:00 PM
But even if that happens, generally the teams that make it to the CWS are all good and deserving, and the team that wins it all is worthy.

This is where we are now with football.
Make the path to a NC hard enough so that 2 things are true:
A - whoever wins it earned it
B - the actual best team (which we don't know) is less and less likely to win it
.
(A) is fine, but I don't like that it's at the expense of B.  (A) really helps the regular season become less significant.  That's what college football had going for it, and it's just forfeited that. 
.
I don't like it.
But back to baseball, it's bad because the game itself lends itself least to the actual best team winning.  As for MLB and its large sample size, the peak for a team is like .750 and the floor is .350.  That's MUCH tighter than any other sport.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 31, 2026, 05:25:32 PM
Yeah, its like starting a Frozen Four thread on an SEC board.

Although at least the Big Ten (aside from Wisconsin) is at least trying a little
Do you know how hard it was for Pat Richter to kill baseball?

He was a 3-time letter winner in baseball (and basketball and football) and he was all-Big 10.

Not an easy decision but it had to be done.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on May 31, 2026, 07:15:26 PM
had to be done????
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 31, 2026, 07:26:03 PM
Yep. 

(https://i.imgur.com/oErLWRn.png)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on May 31, 2026, 07:29:40 PM
seems odd
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on May 31, 2026, 07:32:41 PM
Economics were different. 

And at this point, it’s not really worth restarting. All that stuff ain’t cheap, it’s not great for profile and not that much of a fan pleaser. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 31, 2026, 08:28:45 PM
Welp, overall #1 seed UCLA is out.  Might need a tougher regular season schedule to get them ready for the postseason.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on May 31, 2026, 08:31:27 PM
Iowa State cancelled their baseball program

The University of Nebraska Omaha canceled its football and wrestling programs.

Just not sure it had to be done
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on May 31, 2026, 08:41:56 PM
ES MOINES — An Iowa state representative put forth an ambitious bill to bring baseball back to Iowa State and Northern Iowa last year. Now we know how much it would cost.

If adopted, House File 153, introduced by state Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, would require both athletic departments to “take all steps necessary” to reestablish baseball programs that qualify for participation in the NCAA.

“I believe there is real value in our state having more than just one Division I baseball program,” Wheeler told the Quad-City Times in an email exchange. “Baseball can bring a significant number of student-athletes to a college, most of which will have to pay room and board, tuition, etc. at the institutions as there are only so many scholarships available.”

Following Wheeler’s proposal, UNI and Iowa State submitted fiscal impact analyses to the Board of Regents regarding the potential cost of reestablishing the sport. These documents, obtained by the Quad-City Times, illustrate what both universities believe such a proposal would cost.

https://qctimes.com/sports/college/baseball/article_6cdcbd3c-5b43-4fdf-a629-84ec75f003ca.html (https://qctimes.com/sports/college/baseball/article_6cdcbd3c-5b43-4fdf-a629-84ec75f003ca.html)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on May 31, 2026, 09:45:30 PM
Welp, overall #1 seed UCLA is out.  Might need a tougher regular season schedule to get them ready for the postseason.
2nd straight year the #1 overall seed failed to get out of the Regional 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 01, 2026, 09:57:26 AM
2nd straight year the #1 overall seed failed to get out of the Regional
Yup, last year both the #1 and #2 national seeds didn't make it out of their own regionals.  And both were SECSECSEC.  I guess their regular season schedules just weren't enough to prepare them for the postseason.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 01, 2026, 10:03:07 AM
as good as guess as any
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 01, 2026, 10:30:36 AM
Economics were different.

And at this point, it’s not really worth restarting. All that stuff ain’t cheap, it’s not great for profile and not that much of a fan pleaser.
Might work if they could build a dome stadium.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 01, 2026, 10:37:20 AM
UK-WVU and A&M-USC as the doubleheader tonight should be a ton of fun
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 01, 2026, 10:38:41 AM
Yup, last year both the #1 and #2 national seeds didn't make it out of their own regionals.  And both were SECSECSEC.  I guess their regular season schedules just weren't enough to prepare them for the postseason.

If you're looking to deride a conference for being overrated in baseball, the ACC board is over there --->>
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 01, 2026, 10:40:50 AM
UK-WVU and A&M-USC as the doubleheader tonight should be a ton of fun
Was over at the Ag inlaws for much of their game against USC last night.  They were... not pleased... to say the least.  Especially after Texas had just punched its ticket to the Supers.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 01, 2026, 10:44:25 AM
If you're looking to deride a conference for being overrated in baseball, the ACC board is over there --->>
Not really my intent, just pointing out the irony and faulty logic of suggesting that a top national seed losing in its own regional was necessarily a result of a weak conference regular season schedule, when last year not just one but both of the top two national seeds failed to advance out of their own regionals, and both of them were SECSECSEC teams.

And since Texas was the second of those two, I'm pointing the finger right back at home here.

Sometimes shit just happens.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 01, 2026, 10:55:25 AM
It does indeed.  Some group of teams let us win it all last year when, frankly, that was just a somewhere-above-okay team.  I feel like this year was basically what we owe the devil for making that happen.  I can point to some titles where I thought, yes, we were the best team and we proved it.  Last year was like, WTF are the rest of the teams in Omaha doing and why haven't they sent us home? 

Fortunately, I guess, sometimes shit just happens in a good way too. 

And also, mostly, I just wanted to encourage some bagging on ACC teams.  Because, frankly, through the years, they've earned it, and I always try to encourage people to ridicule them.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 01, 2026, 11:04:52 AM
yup, baseball like many games can turn on an umpires call or a bloop single

see how many of these regional games are decided by walk offs or extra innings or one run

many times shit happens
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 01, 2026, 11:45:06 AM
Auburn and Milwaukee tonight for advancement. This will be their third game.

I might watch.

Might.

Of course, we'll probably go to Bingo at the local haunt. They have a lot of specials right now.

(https://i.imgur.com/dWkGPvM.png)

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 01, 2026, 12:42:56 PM
Yup, last year both the #1 and #2 national seeds didn't make it out of their own regionals.  And both were SECSECSEC.  I guess their regular season schedules just weren't enough to prepare them for the postseason.


It was a joke.  Ribbing.  Poking fun.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 01, 2026, 12:57:35 PM
It was a joke.  Ribbing.  Poking fun. 
Yeah that's fair.  I was really just bantering, taking an opportunity for a self-deprecating shot at the SEC and Texas.

Anyway, I'm happy that THIS season, Texas didn't get bounced from the regional.

I should be able to make it to all games of the Super.  Time to go duck hunting in Austin.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 01, 2026, 01:21:19 PM
Not sure if it's in a good way, but FSU's backstop is certainly recognizable
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 01, 2026, 01:55:49 PM
Yeah that's fair.  I was really just bantering, taking an opportunity for a self-deprecating shot at the SEC and Texas.

Anyway, I'm happy that THIS season, Texas didn't get bounced from the regional.

I should be able to make it to all games of the Super.  Time to go duck hunting in Austin.
Hunt down the football team, Phil Knight and Dan Lanning too please.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 01, 2026, 01:57:27 PM
Woah, Johnnies!
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 01, 2026, 02:15:41 PM
Hunt down the football team, Phil Knight and Dan Lanning too please.
Of those I suspect only Knight would make it to Austin this weekend.  And I doubt I could get close enough for any hunting.

I'll have to settle for rooting for baseball victories.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 01, 2026, 02:42:56 PM
Of those I suspect only Knight would make it to Austin this weekend.  And I doubt I could get close enough for any hunting.

I'll have to settle for rooting for baseball victories.
If you do get close, at least kick his cane.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 01, 2026, 03:52:12 PM
In somewhat related news, this afternoon the Longhorn softball team beat Tennessee to even up the losses in their half of the WCWS bracket.  Decisive final game occurring right now, winner goes on to face the winner of the other bracket in the WCWS finals, either Texas Tech or Alabama.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 01, 2026, 04:02:12 PM
The sports, they’re pretty good right now
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 01, 2026, 04:12:39 PM
The sports, they’re pretty good right now
It's a fun time of year, I've been a big fan of the NCAA post-season baseball tournament since the 80s.  Back when I was in college, only 48 teams made it to the baseball tourney and it was organized into eight regionals of 6 teams each, with a true double elimination tournament to decide the winner.  It was awesome seeing all of the different schools and their fans roll in for what amounted to a VERY long weekend.

Softball's fun too, especially when your school's team is pretty good.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 01, 2026, 05:15:45 PM
It's a fun time of year, I've been a big fan of the NCAA post-season baseball tournament since the 80s.  Back when I was in college, only 48 teams made it to the baseball tourney and it was organized into eight regionals of 6 teams each, with a true double elimination tournament to decide the winner.  It was awesome seeing all of the different schools and their fans roll in for what amounted to a VERY long weekend.

Softball's fun too, especially when your school's team is pretty good.
I think you were the one who explained to me how that worked and I thought it sounded insane. Which it still does, but in kind of fun way.

the college baseball postseason also gives rise to my favorite archetype of player, which is a reliever or long reliever who is just a pretty nice player and then somehow throws two complete games in the postseason, each at a moment when his team is out of arms.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 01, 2026, 05:18:55 PM
I would guess at times a freshman pitcher gets it going late in the year and shines.

Will Beorgia Tech host a super?  Maybe I could get a ticket?
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 01, 2026, 05:22:12 PM
I assumed they had won their regional, but they are do or die against Oklahoma now.  7-3 lead in 7th.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 01, 2026, 05:53:44 PM
Softball's fun too, especially when your school's team is pretty good.
And with that, Texas takes two in a row to eliminate UTenn and head to the WCWS finals.

Opponent will be either Alabama or Texas Tech, depending on the outcome of tonight's game(s).

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 01, 2026, 06:57:53 PM
I assumed they had won their regional, but they are do or die against Oklahoma now.  7-3 lead in 7th.


So, no.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 01, 2026, 08:20:27 PM
Florida is getting pounded.  By Troy.  Again.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 02, 2026, 08:19:51 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/hl9rzhj.png)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 02, 2026, 08:42:22 AM
I guess it’s bad to be a 1 or 2 seed these days.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 02, 2026, 08:53:24 AM
Troy-Little Rock for a trip to Omaha
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 02, 2026, 11:22:33 AM
Oh jeez....the Chapel Hill Super......can't figure out which one of those teams I want to lose more.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 02, 2026, 11:33:31 AM
Troy-Little Rock for a trip to Omaha
I just imagine the Troy groundskeepers panicking and running around, having to host a Super.  Even with supreme confidence, they'd have to assume they'd be playing at the other regional-winner's place.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 02, 2026, 11:41:13 AM
I predict the Bulldogs will prevail.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 02, 2026, 01:03:08 PM
I just imagine the Troy groundskeepers panicking and running around, having to host a Super.  Even with supreme confidence, they'd have to assume they'd be playing at the other regional-winner's place.
Michigan upset the #1 overall seed Vanderbilt in 2007, and should have hosted the super regional, but they assumed that wasn't a possibility, so they started renovations on the stadium after the regular season ended.

So Oregon State got to host them for the super regional.  I was home working that summer, and was very pissed off that I missed my one chance to attend one
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: CatsbyAZ on June 02, 2026, 01:36:58 PM
If you're looking to deride a conference for being overrated in baseball, the ACC board is over there --->>

It's never going to feel right to try and pin UCLA's failures on the Big Ten...

https://twitter.com/JacobRudner/status/2061233677292703845
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 02, 2026, 02:00:46 PM
They were very stars and scrubs.  I thought USC and Nebraska had more dangerous rosters
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 02, 2026, 07:12:13 PM
We're getting A LOT of football scores this year.  I haven't looked at the annual stats, but maybe it's time for wood bats in college.   
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 03, 2026, 10:22:07 AM
We're getting A LOT of football scores this year.  I haven't looked at the annual stats, but maybe it's time for wood bats in college. 

It seems like they have trouble finding the happy medium.  As a fan of a team who at least at one time was the poster-child, if not the author, of gorilla ball, I'm kinda okay with it, but I get its lack of appeal to a lot of fans.  But I'd take that over what they did back 13, 14, years ago when the CWS scrapped Rosenblatt, built TD Ameritrade intentionally at the highest point, made it face against the wind, at the same time the sport adopted ~30% less active bats. 

The CWS became unwatchable for me, and the field tilted.  I don't care what purists say, and I know not everyone agreed with me.  They're free to be wrong.  Small-ball teams had the advantage.  Previously, all kinds of teams could make Omaha and have a fair shot at competing. 

They claimed they wanted the game to be more like the MLB.  Back then I checked, and the MLB averaged over 1 HR per game.  I watched an entire CWS one year where out of all games played at TD Ameritrade, there were 4 HRs, total.  We had two of them, and couldn't win either game we played.  Nowhere near 1 HR per game.  You take away the excitement and the importance of the long ball, I'm out.  Creighton, who played their home games in that place, had 0 HRs that year. 

And as much as I love great pitching--and a fine pitcher's-duel-type game--I also hate rewarding a pitcher who floats a lame duck over the strike zone, when he should be punished.  When a batter gets into that, it should be gone.  Bailing out crappy pitches because the bats and the wind kill everything inside the park isn't a great pitcher's duel, it's just rewarding mediocrity on the mound and punishing batters. 

That same year I mentioned, a great LSU team made the field and went 2 and out.  The park punished everything about that team.  They lost g1 to eventual winner UCLA 2-1.  Granted, LSU did a lot wrong in that game so I can't blame the loss entirely or even mostly on the state of the game.  But it's also true that it seems LSU should have prevailed even in spite of some mistakes and an uncharacteristic string of lead-off singles from the pitcher.  Because you can tell by the sound the bat makes when a ball is launched.  At least I can.  Twice that game, LSU batters blistered what would've been solo shots anywhere else, and everybody knew it.  Except they weren't.  Died in center field, like every other crushed ball.  I couldn't escape the feeling that despite UCLA being genuinely good, and despite us playing an overall worse game, we still should've won that 3-2.  I can coulda, woulda, shoulda, the other things as well.  Fine.  But you're supposed to be able to overcome some mistakes with great moments.  In that park, we just couldn't, and that Bruins pitcher got away with two pansy pitches that he should've had to eat. 

After that we lost to UNC, another power hitting team, who just flat outplayed us, but I couldn't help but notice they should have absolutely drilled us, but they couldn't, because the same thing happened to them.  Our pitcher wasn't up to the challenge that day, they got a hold of some that should've been long gone....except they weren't. 

After that I basically stopped watching the CWS until they changed the seams in the balls, which brought some offense back.  Now, I'm not sure what's going on because I haven't been keeping up with it the last few years, but I'll take games like SC's in the College Station regional over the small-ball-required snooze-fest that Omaha was for several years. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 04, 2026, 10:33:36 PM
Well that'll do.  Congrats to the Lady Longhorns for their second softball championship in a row.  What a postseason for these women.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 04, 2026, 11:50:40 PM
It seems like they have trouble finding the happy medium.  As a fan of a team who at least at one time was the poster-child, if not the author, of gorilla ball, I'm kinda okay with it, but I get its lack of appeal to a lot of fans.  But I'd take that over what they did back 13, 14, years ago when the CWS scrapped Rosenblatt, built TD Ameritrade intentionally at the highest point, made it face against the wind, at the same time the sport adopted ~30% less active bats. 

The CWS became unwatchable for me, and the field tilted.  I don't care what purists say, and I know not everyone agreed with me.  They're free to be wrong.  Small-ball teams had the advantage.  Previously, all kinds of teams could make Omaha and have a fair shot at competing. 

They claimed they wanted the game to be more like the MLB.  Back then I checked, and the MLB averaged over 1 HR per game.  I watched an entire CWS one year where out of all games played at TD Ameritrade, there were 4 HRs, total.  We had two of them, and couldn't win either game we played.  Nowhere near 1 HR per game.  You take away the excitement and the importance of the long ball, I'm out.  Creighton, who played their home games in that place, had 0 HRs that year. 

And as much as I love great pitching--and a fine pitcher's-duel-type game--I also hate rewarding a pitcher who floats a lame duck over the strike zone, when he should be punished.  When a batter gets into that, it should be gone.  Bailing out crappy pitches because the bats and the wind kill everything inside the park isn't a great pitcher's duel, it's just rewarding mediocrity on the mound and punishing batters. 

That same year I mentioned, a great LSU team made the field and went 2 and out.  The park punished everything about that team.  They lost g1 to eventual winner UCLA 2-1.  Granted, LSU did a lot wrong in that game so I can't blame the loss entirely or even mostly on the state of the game.  But it's also true that it seems LSU should have prevailed even in spite of some mistakes and an uncharacteristic string of lead-off singles from the pitcher.  Because you can tell by the sound the bat makes when a ball is launched.  At least I can.  Twice that game, LSU batters blistered what would've been solo shots anywhere else, and everybody knew it.  Except they weren't.  Died in center field, like every other crushed ball.  I couldn't escape the feeling that despite UCLA being genuinely good, and despite us playing an overall worse game, we still should've won that 3-2.  I can coulda, woulda, shoulda, the other things as well.  Fine.  But you're supposed to be able to overcome some mistakes with great moments.  In that park, we just couldn't, and that Bruins pitcher got away with two pansy pitches that he should've had to eat. 

After that we lost to UNC, another power hitting team, who just flat outplayed us, but I couldn't help but notice they should have absolutely drilled us, but they couldn't, because the same thing happened to them.  Our pitcher wasn't up to the challenge that day, they got a hold of some that should've been long gone....except they weren't. 

After that I basically stopped watching the CWS until they changed the seams in the balls, which brought some offense back.  Now, I'm not sure what's going on because I haven't been keeping up with it the last few years, but I'll take games like SC's in the College Station regional over the small-ball-required snooze-fest that Omaha was for several years. 
I don't understand how (smart?) decision-makers in major positions are seemingly allergic to small corrections.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: CatsbyAZ on June 05, 2026, 09:46:15 AM
With the Super Regionals getting going this weekend, I'm generally interested in any potential newcomers or rare birds or those who haven't made the CWS in a while (but not interested in Oregon).

Troy (0) and Little Rock (0) play each other

Cal Poly (0) and West Virginia (0) play each other

Oregon (1) plays Texas (38 - by far the most)

Kansas (1) plays Oklahoma (11)

St. Johns (6 - but hasn't qualified since 1980) plays Alabama (5 - but hasn't qualified since 1999)

North Carolina (12) plays USC (21 - but hasn't qualified since 2001)

Georgia (6) plays Mississippi St (12)

Auburn (6) plays Ole Miss (6)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 05, 2026, 09:49:14 AM
It's hard to believe USC hasn't made it since 2001.  That's crazy.  

Obviously I'll be rooting for Texas against Oregon.  

Don't really care about the rest of the field, although I'd be fine if the dirt burglars were eliminated.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 05, 2026, 10:13:36 AM
rooting for the B1G and against the SEC
not really that interested - probably won't be watching much
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 05, 2026, 10:55:44 AM
Rooting for Oregon?  Gross.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 05, 2026, 11:53:15 AM
wasn't my idear to invite them to the B1G
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 06, 2026, 01:12:32 AM
I actually like where the bats are.  With a kid that plays Middle School baseball, I can promise you you do not want the bats from the '90s back.  those are still legal through 12u, and I'm about done with watching pop-ups go 230.

I actually think these do a good job replicating wood bats.  The difference is in college you do not have an entire bullpen filled with guys throwing 98 mph with spin.  I think the slight uptick in offense is about right
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 06, 2026, 05:04:25 AM
So scoring is a bit high, and so we shouldn't go back to a super low-scoring environment.  
Thanks.
Didn't realize I suggested we do.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 06, 2026, 11:08:26 AM
Looks like I can get a 3-day Sling Orange pass for $10.  Neat.  Think I'll hafta try that and catch some Super Regionals this weekend.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 06, 2026, 02:08:44 PM
watchn MSU and gawga
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 06, 2026, 09:26:06 PM
I would love to hate Texas, but their uniforms are just so perfect
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 07, 2026, 05:43:06 AM
I would love to hate Texas, but their uniforms are just so perfect
Ha!

(https://media.tenor.com/1g_N8hQThcAAAAAM/wnyx-news-radio.gif)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 07, 2026, 08:55:48 AM
Anyway that was fun.  Solid performance, and got to see some old friends I hadn't seen in a while.  Lots of folks came in town for the Supers.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 07, 2026, 04:42:25 PM
Miss State seems like one of the better teams around.  They can hit.   
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 07, 2026, 04:57:44 PM
Bulldogs can play baseball.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 07, 2026, 04:59:17 PM
just not so much with pitching
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MarqHusker on June 07, 2026, 10:30:13 PM
Maybe I need to watch it a few more times but that USC CF play on that last ball was ...awkward.

Did he misjudge?   Not pick it up until too late?  Would've been an elite catch to be sure, just didn't look right. 

Statcast would help. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 07, 2026, 11:01:36 PM
musta misjudged it or didn't see it, lost it

wasn't within a yard or 2 of it when he decided to slide
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 09:49:14 AM
I saw somewhere that UGA will be matched with Texas in Omaha, probably the two best teams left.  I don't understand how they work seeding, or if it matters.  It's double E, no?  I don't know the scheme.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 09:53:48 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/fidVVjS.png)

MSU is out now as well.  Did Auburn lose also?
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 08, 2026, 10:00:23 AM
I saw somewhere that UGA will be matched with Texas in Omaha, probably the two best teams left.  I don't understand how they work seeding, or if it matters.  It's double E, no?  I don't know the scheme.
It's two 4-team brackets playing a double-elimination tournament, same format as the regionals.

Then the final two teams, winners of each of the brackets, play a final best-of-three series, same format as the super-regionals.

I like the symmetry of it all, although the olden days of a true 8-team full double-elimination tourney were wild and fun as well.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 08, 2026, 10:05:27 AM
Maybe I need to watch it a few more times but that USC CF play on that last ball was ...awkward.

Did he misjudge?  Not pick it up until too late?  Would've been an elite catch to be sure, just didn't look right.

Statcast would help.


He derped it.  Would've been a good catch, but one I'd expect a CWS-worthy CF to make most of the time.  

He derped it because I jinxed them.  My Voodoo powers are real. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 08, 2026, 10:07:30 AM
Bulldogs can play baseball. 

Since this weekend was the first college baseball I've watched all year, I was puzzled whether UGA is really that good or if Clanga's pitching wasn't up to it.  A team that scores literally almost every inning makes me suspicious.  

Incidentally, people have complained about The Box being a hitter's park over the years.  Sheesh.....our place ain't got nothing on UGA's field.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 08, 2026, 10:10:50 AM
there musta been some voodoo in the air

closer can't find the strike zone, weakest hitter in the squad gets a seeing eye single, 3rd baseman can't catch a popup in foul territory, centerfielder misplays ball
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 10:12:26 AM
The dimensions of the UGA field are pretty standard, RF is closer at 314.  A lot of the HRs hit out would have left anywhere.  The Al bats are a factor overall.



LF: 350 ft (106.7 m)
LC: 370 ft (112.8 m)
CF: 404 ft (123.1 m)
RC: 365 ft (111.3 m)
RF: 314 ft (95.7 m)



Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 08, 2026, 10:18:58 AM
I saw somewhere that UGA will be matched with Texas in Omaha, probably the two best teams left.  I don't understand how they work seeding, or if it matters.  It's double E, no?  I don't know the scheme.
Well, they don’t reseed. So it matches the winner of the 1/16 regionals with the winner of the 8/9 regional, then 2/15 vs 7/10. 

It just happens that would mean the winner of the 6/11 regionals plays the 3/14 winner (that’s UGA and Texas), and doesn’t shift things if 1/2 are eliminated. 

Also, 5 seed UNC (ranked ahead of Texas) is in, and 7 seed ‘Bama likely going as well. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 10:20:28 AM
Yeah, kinda funny, all the top seeds that got beat in the regional or super.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 08, 2026, 10:22:36 AM
Oh and as for the seeding, the top 16 teams are seeded nationally, and they host the regionals.  After that, there is no re-seeding, so if a non-national-seed wins a regional or a super-regional, it attaches to the seeding of the original host.

So Georgia and Texas were the #3 and #6 national seeds and will play in the first game in Omaha.

But #16 national-seed West Virginia has won through what should have been #1-seed UCLA's spot, and unranked Troy won through what should have been #8 national seed Florida, so they'll be meeting in Omaha representing the 1 and 8 seeds.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 08, 2026, 10:30:49 AM
It does seem dumb, but nobody has ever suggested doing that in basketball, because everyone filled out a bracket, but you could just as easily do it there.

When MSU won in 2000, their region was complete chalk, I think they face 16-8-4-2 to get to the Final 4.  And every other region went to hell.  The other 3 teams in the Final 4 were a 5 seed and 2 8 seeds.  MSU's two "toughest" opponents were in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.

In 2018 one side of the bracket in the Final 4 was #1 Villanova (who beat #3 in the Elite 8) vs. #1 Kansas (who beat #2 in the Elite 8).  The other side was #3 Michigan (who beat #9 in the Elite 8) vs. #11 Loyola (who beat #9 in the Elite 8).  So one side of the Elite 8 was 1-1-2-3.  The other side was 3-9-9-11.  It is what it is.

(But it is always helpful to remind Michigan fans that the highest seed they beat on their run to the title game was a 6 seed, on a half court buzzer beater in the Round of 32) :57:
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 08, 2026, 10:31:07 AM
Since this weekend was the first college baseball I've watched all year, I was puzzled whether UGA is really that good or if Clanga's pitching wasn't up to it.  A team that scores literally almost every inning makes me suspicious. 

Incidentally, people have complained about The Box being a hitter's park over the years.  Sheesh.....our place ain't got nothing on UGA's field. 
Yeah the Horns didn't play Georgia this year so I can't provide a direct personal review.

Texas lost two series all season, on the road against the Ags, and on the road against the Vols.  Neither of those teams will be in Omaha.  Of the ones that will be, or might be, Texas is 3-0 against the Sooners, 2-1 against Alabama, and 2-1 against Ole Miss.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 08, 2026, 10:38:08 AM
The dimensions of the UGA field are pretty standard, RF is closer at 314.  A lot of the HRs hit out would have left anywhere.  The Al bats are a factor overall.



LF: 350 ft (106.7 m)
LC: 370 ft (112.8 m)
CF: 404 ft (123.1 m)
RC: 365 ft (111.3 m)
RF: 314 ft (95.7 m)

Yeah, that right side seems to be where I saw a lot of the balls leave, and though it extends to the same length as our power alleys by RC, that RF is short.  Also, the wall is only 8 feet, which is shorter than ours, at 10 ft., and 15 ft. in center field.  

Anyway, the park may not have mattered at all.  The Bulldogs and Clanga might be that powerful, that's plenty believable.  It was just quite something to see one or both of them homer almost every inning across two games.    
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 10:50:07 AM
I think it's the bats coupled with hanging breaking balls.  I was pondering the difference between an MLB pitcher and an above average college pitcher, it could well be a combination of control and being able to change speeds effectively when needed.  The breaking stuff in college usually LOOKS pretty sharp, to me on TV, but at times they leave them UP in the zone, and they leave the zone with alacrity.

The velo seems about comparable.  

We see even elite MLB pitchers at times have a bad game, it often seems, to me, to be 3-4 pitches misplaced by a few inches.

We use wooden bats in my league.  The fences are pretty short, like 300 down the line.  I've seen one HR so far, a slam.  It was a shot, I was playing 1B at the time.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 08, 2026, 10:59:42 AM
The bats are still the deadened ones, but the difference from wooden is a larger sweet spot.  So the pitchers don't even need to badly miss their spot, because the hitters don't need to fully barrel it up to get the same pay off
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 11:08:29 AM
I saw an Al bat explode in the UGA game, never seen that before.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 08, 2026, 11:51:05 AM
It does seem dumb, but nobody has ever suggested doing that in basketball, because everyone filled out a bracket, but you could just as easily do it there.

When MSU won in 2000, their region was complete chalk, I think they face 16-8-4-2 to get to the Final 4.  And every other region went to hell.  The other 3 teams in the Final 4 were a 5 seed and 2 8 seeds.  MSU's two "toughest" opponents were in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.

In 2018 one side of the bracket in the Final 4 was #1 Villanova (who beat #3 in the Elite 8) vs. #1 Kansas (who beat #2 in the Elite 8).  The other side was #3 Michigan (who beat #9 in the Elite 8) vs. #11 Loyola (who beat #9 in the Elite 8).  So one side of the Elite 8 was 1-1-2-3.  The other side was 3-9-9-11.  It is what it is.

(But it is always helpful to remind Michigan fans that the highest seed they beat on their run to the title game was a 6 seed, on a half court buzzer beater in the Round of 32) :57:
Outside the NFL, does anyone reseed?
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 12:19:30 PM
I reseeded my lawn a while back a few times.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 08, 2026, 01:55:41 PM
Outside the NFL, does anyone reseed?
NHL used to
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: CatsbyAZ on June 08, 2026, 03:31:17 PM
https://twitter.com/TDISportsClips/status/2063824030260408618
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 08, 2026, 05:09:12 PM
Is that why we have the balk rules now?
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 05:23:01 PM
That wasn’t a balk.   Legal today.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 08, 2026, 05:51:26 PM
I thought faking a throw to pick off a runner was a balk.  No?  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 08, 2026, 09:29:17 PM
Pitcher stepped off the rubber first, that’s key.

Step,off, then move.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 09, 2026, 09:20:16 AM
Ah, I missed that part.  Looked like he was on the bump when he faked the throw.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: longhorn320 on June 09, 2026, 09:26:36 AM
If the pitcher does not have the ball and assumes his pitching position with his foot on the rubber it was a balk in my day

This is what Im talking about:
https://baseballrulesacademy.com/official-rule/mlb/6-02-pitcher-illegal-action/
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 09, 2026, 09:30:22 AM
The balk rules are ... convoluted.  There is even a balk by the catcher which is rarely called.

Once the pitcher moves his back foot off the rubber, and then hesitates, he can fake a throw.  If it's all one motion it's considered a balk.  You have to step off and break the action.  

I saw in a recent game a pitcher slipped when making a pitch and didn't throw the ball, nobody on base, so no balk, but it was a clock vioation now.

Back to the CWS ...  UGA and Texas would seem about equally matched, to me, not really having delved into it much.  So, you have 8 teams, most pretty evenly matched, double elimination I think, it's tough to win the playoff even if you're very good.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 09, 2026, 09:36:49 AM
Apparently 5 SEC teams have never made the field of 8.  I'm pretty sure I've seen 4 at least a few times, though.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 09, 2026, 09:53:01 AM
I got called once for a balk to third, I think I was 12 or so.  I asked the ump what I had done and he explained it, nicely, I hadn't known the rule.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 09, 2026, 10:29:11 AM
I haven't seen Georgia play this year.  The two teams did not meet in the regular season.  Should be interesting.

It's definitely tough to win the whole thing. Heck the top two national seeds didn't even make it out of their own regionals.  Again.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: CatsbyAZ on June 10, 2026, 02:13:08 PM
rooting for the B1G and against the SEC
not really that interested - probably won't be watching much

By the Super Regionals, the only Big Ten teams left were Oregon and USC, both eliminated.

Going back to the general field of 64, there was also UCLA and Nebraska.

Rooting for Nebraska is more understandable, especially on your part, but what is the point of "rooting for the B1G" if you're options are UCLA, USC, and Oregon?

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 10, 2026, 02:29:35 PM
as I stated, "I didn't invite the PAC to the conference", but here we are.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2026, 03:42:06 PM
Make the Big 10 ten again.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 10, 2026, 03:54:56 PM
Make the Big 10 ten again.
(https://www.illinoisloyalty.com/attachments/ls7a1sx-gif.36570/)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2026, 03:56:56 PM
PSU deserves to be blasted from college sports, same as Baylor.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 10, 2026, 04:28:26 PM
yup, had the nits turned down the invite, the Big Ten might still be at 10
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Wildcat4E on June 10, 2026, 04:59:14 PM
Just saw a reel with a guy waxing about 5 teams that shouldn't have moved.

5. USC/UCLA.  Just dumb.
4. Rutgers. Was competitive in Big East, not so much at all in anything now
3. Missouri  Lost their rivalries and also ran status now.
2. Nebraska  Kinda ditto to Mizzou
1. West Virginia  football has tanked since Geno Smith era (and Collin Klein took the purple there and kicked his ass then)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 10, 2026, 05:02:25 PM
Just saw a reel with a guy waxing about 5 teams that shouldn't have moved.

Nebraska  Kinda ditto to Mizzou
true but,........... the alternative would have been to be in the same conference as Texas Tech

Mucho worser
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 10, 2026, 05:25:45 PM
Per CBS Sports, this is the first time since 1976 that the MCWS will not feature a team from Florida or California.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 10, 2026, 05:28:34 PM
Yeah it'll be strange not to have representation from either state.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 11, 2026, 09:48:43 AM
yup, had the nits turned down the invite, the Big Ten might still be at 10
There was no invite. JoePa called Delany and it was done.

They should have then taken Texas, which would have happened had there not been an ND fetish.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 11, 2026, 09:53:49 AM
Per CBS Sports, this is the first time since 1976 that the MCWS will not feature a team from Florida or California.
I’d be interested to see the history there. It felt like California was carried at times by small schools that might struggle to maintain. Florida maybe carried by the big few schools, but they all got cut out. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 11, 2026, 09:58:08 AM
I’d be interested to see the history there. It felt like California was carried at times by small schools that might struggle to maintain. Florida maybe carried by the big few schools, but they all got cut out.
Off the top of my head and without googling, at different times the state of California has had CWS winners from USC, UCLA, Cal-State Fullerton, Stanford, and Pepperdine.  They likely have had other schools make it to the CWS and not win, but those are the "biggies."

To my recollection the state of Florida has had more concentrated attendance, with championships from Miami and Florida.  Florida State has been many times but has infamously never won it.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 11, 2026, 10:08:29 AM
The Long Beach State Dirtbags have been a tournament regular since the late 80's.  Fresno State has reached the CWS only 4 times, but won a title in 2008.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 11, 2026, 10:13:24 AM
The Long Beach State Dirtbags have been a tournament regular since the late 80's.  Fresno State has reached the CWS only 4 times, but won a title in 2008. 
Oh yeah pretty sure we've been eliminated by both of those at various points in the tournament.  UC Irvine as well, I think they've made it to Omaha before.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 11, 2026, 10:13:44 AM
The Googlez tells me the Cal Bears have had periodic successful stints with 6 CWS appearances and 2 titles, and that the UC-Irvine Anteaters have a strong post-season resume in the modern-era, with 2 CWS appearances.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 11, 2026, 10:15:16 AM
The Googlez tells me the Cal Bears have had periodic successful stints with 6 CWS appearances and 2 titles, and that the UC-Irvine Anteaters have a strong post-season resume in the modern-era, with 2 CWS appearances. 
Oh yeah. Berkeley has been good at times too.  

Seems a lot more widely spread in Cali than it is in Flordia, although it's possible USF or UCF have been to Omaha at one time or another.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 11, 2026, 10:19:12 AM
We did a 3-game series with CS-Fullerton back in 2011, which I went to.  At the time, it broke the attendance record for the Box, which shows that the natives knew exactly who and what was coming to town, and the respect we had for them.  Royalty was coming, and we were there for it.  

I believe the attendance record was broke again later that same season, though, by one of the SEC teams coming in.  Florida, maybe.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 11, 2026, 12:38:44 PM
Texas and LSU used to play early season series against each other sometimes.  My baseball tailgating crew was good friends with a bunch of LSU fans that they'd known for years though visiting each other during those series, and then often partying again together in Omaha a few months later.



Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 11, 2026, 02:03:16 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/fZWSxUA.png)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 11, 2026, 02:27:38 PM
How far back does that go?  LSU was lapping the field on that stuff back in the aughts. 

We're jell-o shot bluebloods.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 14, 2026, 09:29:28 AM
I watched some of the UGA-Texas game.  Texas had a "hard luck" pitcher who looked very effective, to me, otherwise.  UGA had a "good luck" pitcher who had nearly every batter 0-1, and was getting what looked like a Glavine strike zone with his slider (which was rather impressive to me).  UGA didn't really smash the ball much, they go a couple key hits.  Maybe Texas was playing "tight", which happens.

Maybe they can meet again.  Now each team will look at their pitching depth.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 14, 2026, 12:05:44 PM
Texas hitting was timid, and generally poor.  Going 0-1 on the first pitch almost every single at-bat is killer. It ended up snowballing and became a disaster of a game ultimately.

Odds are against coming back and succeeding through the losers' bracket, but on the other hand, the Longhorn women did exactly that two weeks ago in the softball WCWS.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 14, 2026, 12:22:41 PM
My sophmore year in HS baseball:

We were tied with three teams for 4th place, the last spot to make the region playoffs.

We had to win that playoff to make the regionals, and we did.

Then we were in double elimination 8AAA regionals, and won the first two games, and then faced our main rival in a double header IF they won the first game which they did.  So, we're down to the final game.  Our HS had let out school early, it was a weekday, and the stands were more full than I'd ever seen them.  We got out ahead 7-0 when our pitcher ran out of gas, so we were tied going into the 8th inning (extra) and I was called on to pitch top of the 8th.  I had pitched to finish game one after we got behind and out starter was being held back for the second game.  I K'd the first batter and was feeling spicy, the second grounded out, and I got the 3rd guy 0-2 and somehow grooved one that he hit about 295 feet into left field, but the fence was 300, and our starting pitcher calmly backed and caught it.

Then we won in the bottom half.  We lost 2-0 in the state championship round to a team that had the No. 1 draft pick at catcher, he was "good".

But I ramble on ... 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 14, 2026, 12:55:53 PM
Of course it's significantly easier to come through the losers' bracket in softball, when you can realistically have the same pitcher go every single outing if you like.

Meanwhile in college baseball, once you get knocked into the losers' bracket, thin or mediocre pitching staffs are a killer.  Texas' pitching is arguably both.  We've got a couple decent starters, not much middle relief, and no true closer.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 14, 2026, 01:32:30 PM
Of course it's significantly easier to come through the losers' bracket in softball, when you can realistically have the same pitcher go every single outing if you like.

Meanwhile in college baseball, once you get knocked into the losers' bracket, thin or mediocre pitching staffs are a killer.  Texas' pitching is arguably both.  We've got a couple decent starters, not much middle relief, and no true closer.


There is Single and beautiful solution to this problem: murder baseballs.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 14, 2026, 04:01:19 PM
There is Single and beautiful solution to this problem: murder baseballs.

Texas does not tend to be built that way, though I haven't seen much of this particular team.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 14, 2026, 05:36:50 PM
Ole Miss kinda imploded ever since that balk that wasn't a balk. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MarqHusker on June 14, 2026, 05:58:34 PM
Old school Rosenblatt style game at the ballpark. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 14, 2026, 06:40:24 PM
Oh yeah. Berkeley has been good at times too. 

Seems a lot more widely spread in Cali than it is in Flordia, although it's possible USF or UCF have been to Omaha at one time or another.
I used AI (And some manual copying and pasting because Claude told me it was too big a lift) To make a list of every Florida and California school to make a year by year.

California was represented by like nine or 10 schools. Only three had made it from Florida as far as I could find. USC carried the torch in a big way early. There were also more years than I expected where the only representative was some random small school from California.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 14, 2026, 06:42:02 PM
It’s a little funny for coaches of small schools, like Troy, that make deep runs. 

Obviously, they’re trying to get better jobs but the season goes so long, they can sometimes get frozen out.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 15, 2026, 04:16:50 PM
Baseball is weird, but Alabama looks like the odd team out
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 15, 2026, 04:30:29 PM
Well now you've gone and jinxed it.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 15, 2026, 04:59:50 PM
Well now you've gone and jinxed it.
Nah, much like football, theyve proven they dont belong
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 15, 2026, 05:31:09 PM
Texas beat Alabama like they owed them money.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 15, 2026, 05:33:13 PM
It's nice to see the bats wake up.

Curious about tonight, Georgia has been the better team this season and is my pick to win, but OU's on a roll.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 15, 2026, 05:37:04 PM
I made fun of Ole Miss for being the 2&Q from their bracket and failing to represent the conference well.  

I'd make fun of Alabama for the same thing, but.....
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 15, 2026, 10:41:21 PM
Well it'll be WVU and Troy in the afternoon elimination game, and Texas v. Georgia Part Deaux in the evening slot.

Can the Texas men replicate the energy of the women after they lost in the first game of the WCWS and then went on a 6-0 run to win the whole thing?

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71WaYUVBprL._AC_.jpg)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 16, 2026, 09:38:50 AM
Errors biting teams on the butt at an epic pace in this CWS.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 16, 2026, 02:45:06 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/HtgPwIw.png)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 16, 2026, 11:52:21 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/dS1vsu4.jpeg)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 16, 2026, 11:52:59 PM
Texas, Bama, Oklahoma???
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 17, 2026, 08:53:41 AM
Hmmm, in the end, Texas‘ pitching depth didn’t cost it. Interesting.

Baseball is quirky that way.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2026, 09:02:29 AM
Good pitching will beat good hitting, .... and vice versa.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2026, 09:03:06 AM
I still find it remarkable how teams can have a fantastic regular season and then flame out in any playoff.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 17, 2026, 09:22:34 AM
Hmmm, in the end, Texas‘ pitching depth didn’t cost it. Interesting.

Baseball is quirky that way.
Our hitting has been similarly suspect all year.  In a lot of ways this team was lucky to make it this far.  But still finishing around #6 is where a lot of folks, including the selection committee, had us.

Good luck to Georgia, and farewell 2025/2026 sports season.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Cincydawg on June 17, 2026, 09:41:57 AM
I hadn't paid much attention to college baseball, but my "take" on UGA was that they hit a ton and pitched just OK, which was a bad take, based on the series with MSU mostly.

I watched some of the game, the curve and slider in college seem to be hugely effective.  I guess they can tune up for the 95 heater.  I think MLB starters usually have 3-4-5 pitches they mix in to keep the hitters off the heater.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2026, 04:20:27 PM
The organ player at the CWS has amused me.  He has an entertaining selection of song snippets.  

I wonder how much a gig like that pays? 

---------------------------------

This old fart LSU guy behind home plate the whole tournament has an even older LSU fart with him today.  Papa Fart, possibly? 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 17, 2026, 05:14:09 PM
The organ player at the CWS has amused me.  He has an entertaining selection of song snippets. 

I wonder how much a gig like that pays?

---------------------------------

This old fart LSU guy behind home plate the whole tournament has an even older LSU fart with him today.  Papa Fart, possibly?
I have also really enjoyed the organ music.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 17, 2026, 07:11:56 PM
Who doesn't???
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 17, 2026, 07:13:44 PM
Enjoying a titos martini at the Tav in Lincoln watching the Sooners and Dawgs. 

Guess I'll root for my old buddies from Oklahoma 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2026, 07:15:52 PM
I have also really enjoyed the organ music.

Every time he does the Rick Astley song, I feel like we're all getting rickrolled. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 17, 2026, 09:03:13 PM
Good aggressive baserunning by the sooners
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 18, 2026, 11:26:39 AM
UNC came through what I perceived to be the weaker bracket, but they were very impressive through the Supers and the CWS so far.  Last week I'd have said that the winner of the OU/UGA/UT/Bama bracket was most likely to win it all, now I'm not so sure.  Both OU and UNC have been vicious in Omaha, so maybe it'll be a good one.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 19, 2026, 12:38:44 AM
I still find it remarkable how teams can have a fantastic regular season and then flame out in any playoff. 
This is a great example of sample size.  Mystery solved.  Unremarkable.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 19, 2026, 03:52:54 AM
Oklahoma was sub-.500 in SEC games....playing for a NC.

No one should pretend this is about competition.  Solely for entertainment purposes.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 19, 2026, 04:18:26 AM
That's all any postseason tournament is.  Same as it ever was.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: Honestbuckeye on June 19, 2026, 06:17:38 AM
That's all any postseason tournament is.  Same as it ever was.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsSpAOD6K8&pp=0gcJCUACo7VqN5tD&ra=m
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 19, 2026, 07:44:57 AM
the Sooner bats warmed up
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 19, 2026, 03:05:31 PM
That's all any postseason tournament is.  Same as it ever was.
Some are more exclusive than others....but that's going the wrong way, it seems.  Sub-500?  Come on in!  Wild-card!  Expand to ___ teams?  Yep! 

Regular season games are turning into henchmen in action movies.....totally numerous and irrelevant.  Cool.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 22, 2026, 10:22:18 AM
UNC not going without a fight.  I kinda figured.  They've looked really tough in the post-season games I watched.  

I still think it would be funny if they failed again to get a title, but also, I kinda want them to have something to show for their appearances.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 22, 2026, 10:28:38 AM
Rooting against OU is always the correct choice.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 22, 2026, 10:29:07 AM
Maybe this goes in the Tech thread, but I'll just drop it here....

I've mentioned a number of times how crap Google's AI is and it shouldn't be trusted.  Yesterday I Google'd the score of the CWS g2 and it told me UNC had defeated OU by a score of 6-5 in g2 to force a g3.  This was while the game was still in the top of the 7th inning.  

These AI's have started sourcing their garble, with links to pages you can click on.  If the model is working as advertised, it's telling us which pages it's trying to summarize with all its AI wisdom.  One of the pages had no text, it was just an ongoing box score, which also indicated the game was not done (and the score was also not 6-5).  Well, nothing will trip up a LLM summarizing something like having no text to summarize.  That didn't stop it from trying.  

It had more paragraphs, each linking to different pages it thought it was summarizing.  They were all either score updates or info billing the game the way that articles read prior to the contests.  Gemini, however, does not let a lack of information stop it.  It just hallucinated right on to certainty.  

otoh, it did accurately pick the winner, I guess, so there's that.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 22, 2026, 10:34:44 AM
Rooting against OU is always the correct choice.

My low esteem for the ACC often gets conflated in my mind as disdain for the ACC.  I tend to think I root against them and want them to fail.  There's really no basis for that.  What I actually think, when I make myself consciously think about it, is that they fail too much in their own regionals and Supers, even being constantly handed advantages by the selection committee over the years.  Thus, I don't really have to root for them to fail....I sort of just think poorly of them because they already have failed so much. 

So, you're right, in that there's no reason for me to be actively rooting against UNC.  

In truth, I don't hold it against teams like UNC or FSU for not having titles.  Winning them is hard.  I don't ding teams for not winning in Omaha.  But I absolutely ding teams (and conferences) for being given gifts and then failing to reach Omaha.  I've seen this a lot from ACC teams in my adult life.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 22, 2026, 02:36:31 PM
One team went 22-8 in its perfectly good conference.  And the other went 14-16 in theirs.  OU lost their last 4 series.  They lost their first game in the SEC tournament.

Since college baseball hasn't captured the interest of the sports world for a month like basketball has, maybe they should only allow in the best teams into their national championship tournament?  Stupid idea, I know.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MarqHusker on June 22, 2026, 06:28:04 PM
Obligatory reminder of randomness of outcomes. 

New York Yankees 55
Pittsburgh Pirates 27.

Result?  Pirates 1960 World Series Champions!
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 22, 2026, 07:33:31 PM
Oklahoma was sub-.500 in SEC games....playing for a NC.

No one should pretend this is about competition.  Solely for entertainment purposes.
The teams that finished ahead of them should’ve played baseball better. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 22, 2026, 08:00:20 PM
during the post-season
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 22, 2026, 08:08:39 PM
Defending something because it's the best way makes sense.  

Defending it because that's how it's done, that's how it's been, tradition, because reasons, if it ain't fixed, don't break it......does not.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 22, 2026, 09:06:32 PM
UNC is such a miserable institution.  I always enjoy rooting against them
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 22, 2026, 09:30:34 PM
Defending something because it's the best way makes sense. 

Defending it because that's how it's done, that's how it's been, tradition, because reasons, if it ain't fixed, don't break it......does not.
A double elimination tournament is a better way than standings with uneven schedules, and the stuff about losing your SEC tournament game and losing some number of series in a row is feelings-y bullshit.

The Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 15 teams in the field had a chance to stop Oklahoma from winning a title. If they don’t, tough shit.

(if you’d like, maybe they can cap the number of SEC teams who get to go. But I have a strange feeling that it’s gonna cause its own separate piss fit)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 22, 2026, 09:51:10 PM
UNC is such a miserable institution.  I always enjoy rooting against them
OU is way, way worse.  In every way.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 23, 2026, 01:17:27 AM
A double elimination tournament is a better way than standings with uneven schedules, and the stuff about losing your SEC tournament game and losing some number of series in a row is feelings-y bullshit.

The Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 15 teams in the field had a chance to stop Oklahoma from winning a title. If they don’t, tough shit.

(if you’d like, maybe they can cap the number of SEC teams who get to go. But I have a strange feeling that it’s gonna cause its own separate piss fit)
The feelings-y bullshit was to negate the potential 'yeah, but' argument of maybe they sucked early on and got hot late (which they didn't).  OU did nothing to play their way IN to a national championship tournament.  It has nothing to do with the SEC and honestly nothing to do with OU itself.  

A bad system is a bad system.  It doesn't do a good job of being exclusive, it doesn't do a good job of drawing interest (as the argument for basketball relies on).
A good system would be having the top __ number of teams playing 5-7 game series.  But that would omit the sub-.500 SEC team or the Missouri Valley champ.  For shame!

Your post reeks of a disposable camera.  You're not seriously addressing a modern-day person, just a lazy caricature of who you think I might be.  
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 23, 2026, 09:22:07 AM
OU has afforded me some more UNC/ACC lolz, and for that, I'm grateful.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 09:25:49 AM
OU has afforded me some more UNC/ACC lolz, and for that, I'm grateful.
(https://24.media.tumblr.com/486e18ae6eecfff97fdc19dbc33ab4ca/tumblr_mhqc9iSDIg1qed7g8o2_400.gif)
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 23, 2026, 09:40:38 AM
Barry Switzer had 4 jello shots at Rocco's
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 10:31:03 AM
Barry $witzer kicks puppies.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2026, 10:52:15 AM
OU is way, way worse.  In every way.
Man, I don't know about that.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2026, 10:53:30 AM
UNC is such a miserable institution.  I always enjoy rooting against them
I fully agree.

I'm glad they are not in the conference. We have enough cancer without that shithole of a school.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 11:01:04 AM
Man, I don't know about that.

Not.  Even.  Close.  Bud.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 23, 2026, 01:06:00 PM
I fully agree.

I'm glad they are not in the conference. We have enough cancer without that shithole of a school.
UNC and UM are two absolutely phenomenal schools. and there are no two schools who have leaned on that more heavily to sneak in kids that most other public schools would not admit, and then also keep them eligible
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 01:23:35 PM
UNC and UM are two absolutely phenomenal schools. and there are no two schools who have leaned on that more heavily to sneak in kids that most other public schools would not admit, and then also keep them eligible
There are plenty of shithole schools that have never needed to "sneak" in anyone, because their standards were so laughably low that they were well below all of their peers anyway.

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2026, 01:35:30 PM
There are plenty of shithole schools that have never needed to "sneak" in anyone, because their standards were so laughably low that they were well below all of their peers anyway.


Michigan gets kids in that other top schools like Wisconsin, Washington, UCLA, Illinois and Penn State have no chance at admitting.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 01:45:48 PM
Michigan gets kids in that other top schools like Wisconsin, Washington, UCLA, Illinois and Penn State have no chance at admitting.
And yet I still find the schools that just allow anyone in, all the time, to be worse.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2026, 02:07:16 PM
Are these elite schools you're talking about?
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 02:13:02 PM
Are these elite schools you're talking about?
They're schools that compete in the same sports at the same level as all the rest.  One of them just won the College World Series.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2026, 02:13:42 PM
Are they academic snobs?
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 02:16:10 PM
Are they academic snobs?
No, they're shitstain cheater schools that have always lowered the bar for their admissions and paid their players for decades in order to beat superior academic schools in sports.

They're worse than UNC and Michigan.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 23, 2026, 03:56:47 PM
But have they pretended to be otherwise?

UNC and UM are such pretentious douchebags
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 23, 2026, 03:57:39 PM
And yet I still find the schools that just allow anyone in, all the time, to be worse.
Michigan and UNC do.  They have whole departments dedicated to it, and then hide behind their US News ratings
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 03:57:54 PM
But have they pretended to be otherwise?

UNC and UM are such pretentious douchebags
Eh.  I don't really care about that.  I care a lot more about the 100 years plus of rampant unchecked cheating.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 03:58:31 PM
Michigan and UNC do.  They have whole departments dedicated to it, and then hide behind their US News ratings
They're small time compared to the real cheater schools.  It's just not even close.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 23, 2026, 03:59:24 PM
Michigans General Studies department has put more kids through school than the GI Bill
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 04:01:46 PM
Michigans General Studies department has put more kids through school than the GI Bill
Sure but how many of them were firing off Uzis in the dorm halls?  

And still completed all 4 years of eligibility???

Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 23, 2026, 04:05:05 PM
Sure but how many of them were firing off Uzis in the dorm halls? 

And still completed all 4 years of eligibility???


I mean Mazi Smith is one who comes to mind of recent vintage
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 04:10:32 PM
I mean Mazi Smith is one who comes to mind of recent vintage
Possessing a gun in his pickup truck?

Try live-firing an Uzi in the hallways of your college dorm.  And getting off scot-free.

Like I said, Michigan is small time.  They gotta pump those numbers up.  Those are rookie numbers in this racket.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: ELA on June 23, 2026, 04:36:38 PM
Nobody is saying Oklahoma is the piller of morality.  But UM and UNC hold themselves up as such, while being two of the easiest schools for athletes to gain admission to
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 04:55:01 PM
Nobody is saying Oklahoma is the piller of morality.  But UM and UNC hold themselves up as such, while being two of the easiest schools for athletes to gain admission to
And I don't care about that at all.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 23, 2026, 06:31:11 PM
This feels like entirely too much effort to convince a Texas fan to tone down an insult of Oklahoma. 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 23, 2026, 07:47:41 PM
I would never do that but,..... I thought the uzi was fired off the roof of the dorm not down the hallway 
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 11:37:32 PM
I would never do that but,..... I thought the uzi was fired off the roof of the dorm not down the hallway
Oh well that would make it entirely okay.

Actually it was out the window, now that I think about it.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2026, 11:39:16 PM
This feels like entirely too much effort to convince a Texas fan to tone down an insult of Oklahoma.
Yeah.  The Michigan State grad hating on Michigan was something entirely different of course... :57:
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: FearlessF on June 24, 2026, 08:09:46 AM
With Oklahoma’s CWS championship, the 2025-26 NCAA season has concluded. Here is the final top 25 standings for the Director’s Cup this season.

(https://i.imgur.com/AUHVOog.png)

Friggin dirt burglars with the late magic again!
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: bayareabadger on June 24, 2026, 03:59:29 PM
The feelings-y bullshit was to negate the potential 'yeah, but' argument of maybe they sucked early on and got hot late (which they didn't).  OU did nothing to play their way IN to a national championship tournament.  It has nothing to do with the SEC and honestly nothing to do with OU itself. 

A bad system is a bad system.  It doesn't do a good job of being exclusive, it doesn't do a good job of drawing interest (as the argument for basketball relies on).
A good system would be having the top __ number of teams playing 5-7 game series.  But that would omit the sub-.500 SEC team or the Missouri Valley champ.  For shame!

Your post reeks of a disposable camera.  You're not seriously addressing a modern-day person, just a lazy caricature of who you think I might be. 
Your solution is the major league approach that was invented before the disposable camera? Cool? And we’re not even suggesting a number. Hmmm.

All in all, showing not much knowledge of college baseball (where mid-majors thrive), long baseball series (not super helpful to the favorite) or the general reality of those rosters.

There’s nothing “modern” about your solution. It just reads like someone needing to have an answer when asked what they would do after complaining for the fun of complaining.
Title: Re: College World Series
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 25, 2026, 10:24:30 AM
Yeah, the playing 5-7 game series thing was weird.  MLB rosters are built like that.  College ones, not so much.