Heartbreak loss. Akron wins on a passed ball in the bottom of the ninth.

https://gozips.com/sidearmstats/baseball/summary

Lost 2-1 in the B9 on two walks, a hit batter, and a wild pitch. Not great. We have now hit 44 batters in 20 games. As a comparison, NIU batters have been hit 12 times. Between walks and HBP, we continue to give far too many free bases. Now 7-13/4-2.

NIU had a man on 3B with 1 out tied at 1-1 in the top of the ninth. Tried to bunt him in and got thrown out at the plate that the Ump may have missed because the runner hook his arm on the plate before the tag.

(03-18-2024 05:45 PM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  NIU had a man on 3B with 1 out tied at 1-1 in the top of the ninth. Tried to bunt him in and got thrown out at the plate that the Ump may have missed because the runner hook his arm on the plate before the tag.

Watching the play live and on the replay, I thought he was in fact out, but, I did not like the bunt play with only one out. Huskies had some really good starting pitching in all three games this past weekend.

(03-18-2024 06:33 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-18-2024 05:45 PM)ChicagoHuskie Wrote:  NIU had a man on 3B with 1 out tied at 1-1 in the top of the ninth. Tried to bunt him in and got thrown out at the plate that the Ump may have missed because the runner hook his arm on the plate before the tag.

Watching the play live and on the replay, I thought he was in fact out, but, I did not like the bunt play with only one out. Huskies had some really good starting pitching in all three games this past weekend.

Hopefully the pitching stays healthy and consistent. I know in the offseason and preseason they were working with one of those pitching labs out of St Louis. Measuring spin rate/grip/how the ballcomes out of the hand/how the different muscles fire and if in proper sequence and much more. That’s the kind of things you better be doing now days.

So they paid for a new turf infield to still move games to other sites? They're only calling for half an inch on Friday and no snow Saturday or Sunday in DeKalb.

Quote:Due to the weather forecast this weekend in DeKalb, Ill., the Mid-American Conference baseball series between Miami University and Northern Illinois University has been moved to Oxford, Ohio.

(03-19-2024 07:29 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  So they paid for a new turf infield to still move games to other sites? They're only calling for half an inch on Friday and no snow Saturday or Sunday in DeKalb.

Quote:Due to the weather forecast this weekend in DeKalb, Ill., the Mid-American Conference baseball series between Miami University and Northern Illinois University has been moved to Oxford, Ohio.

Well, the forecasted high is Saturday is 40. I think it was moved because of the cold, not any concerns with precipitation. The highs in Oxford for the three days range from 49 to 58, with no precipitation.

(03-19-2024 07:59 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 07:29 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  So they paid for a new turf infield to still move games to other sites? They're only calling for half an inch on Friday and no snow Saturday or Sunday in DeKalb.

Quote:Due to the weather forecast this weekend in DeKalb, Ill., the Mid-American Conference baseball series between Miami University and Northern Illinois University has been moved to Oxford, Ohio.

Well, the forecasted high is Saturday is 40. I think it was moved because of the cold, not any concerns with precipitation. The highs in Oxford for the three days range from 49 to 58, with no precipitation.

The football team plays on the field in colder conditions in November. Can baseball players not wear thermals under their jerseys? They don't have heat lamps in the dugouts? I honestly can't recall seeing MLB games moved or canceled because it was 40 degrees out.

North Park in Chicago has a home game tomorrow and the high is 39 degrees. Wheaton college has three home games this Fri-Sun.

With how few home games they do get to lose three of them isn't ideal.

(03-19-2024 08:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 07:59 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 07:29 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  So they paid for a new turf infield to still move games to other sites? They're only calling for half an inch on Friday and no snow Saturday or Sunday in DeKalb.

Quote:Due to the weather forecast this weekend in DeKalb, Ill., the Mid-American Conference baseball series between Miami University and Northern Illinois University has been moved to Oxford, Ohio.

Well, the forecasted high is Saturday is 40. I think it was moved because of the cold, not any concerns with precipitation. The highs in Oxford for the three days range from 49 to 58, with no precipitation.

The football team plays on the field in colder conditions in November. Can baseball players not wear thermals under their jerseys? They don't have heat lamps in the dugouts? I honestly can't recall seeing MLB games moved or canceled because it was 40 degrees out.

North Park in Chicago has a home game tomorrow and the high is 39 degrees. Wheaton college has three home games this Fri-Sun.

With how few home games they do get to lose three of them isn't ideal.

First, its about grip.

Second, since it's against Miami, I'm assuming they're just flipping the games so when we're supposed to go to Miami, they come here instead. If that's not the case, then I'm mistaken, but it seems like a reasonable alternative.

(03-19-2024 09:15 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 08:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 07:59 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 07:29 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  So they paid for a new turf infield to still move games to other sites? They're only calling for half an inch on Friday and no snow Saturday or Sunday in DeKalb.

Quote:Due to the weather forecast this weekend in DeKalb, Ill., the Mid-American Conference baseball series between Miami University and Northern Illinois University has been moved to Oxford, Ohio.

Well, the forecasted high is Saturday is 40. I think it was moved because of the cold, not any concerns with precipitation. The highs in Oxford for the three days range from 49 to 58, with no precipitation.

The football team plays on the field in colder conditions in November. Can baseball players not wear thermals under their jerseys? They don't have heat lamps in the dugouts? I honestly can't recall seeing MLB games moved or canceled because it was 40 degrees out.

North Park in Chicago has a home game tomorrow and the high is 39 degrees. Wheaton college has three home games this Fri-Sun.

With how few home games they do get to lose three of them isn't ideal.

First, its about grip.

Second, since it's against Miami, I'm assuming they're just flipping the games so when we're supposed to go to Miami, they come here instead. If that's not the case, then I'm mistaken, but it seems like a reasonable alternative.

It doesn’t sound like next year’s series with MO will be moved, however, we will be considered the home team this weekend, thus, NIU will be batting last.

Another factor could be the use of aluminum bats in cold weather. When the weather gets that cold it can do some real damage to those bats.

(03-19-2024 09:47 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 09:15 PM)Big Red Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 08:21 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 07:59 PM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-19-2024 07:29 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  So they paid for a new turf infield to still move games to other sites? They're only calling for half an inch on Friday and no snow Saturday or Sunday in DeKalb.

Well, the forecasted high is Saturday is 40. I think it was moved because of the cold, not any concerns with precipitation. The highs in Oxford for the three days range from 49 to 58, with no precipitation.

The football team plays on the field in colder conditions in November. Can baseball players not wear thermals under their jerseys? They don't have heat lamps in the dugouts? I honestly can't recall seeing MLB games moved or canceled because it was 40 degrees out.

North Park in Chicago has a home game tomorrow and the high is 39 degrees. Wheaton college has three home games this Fri-Sun.

With how few home games they do get to lose three of them isn't ideal.

First, its about grip.

Second, since it's against Miami, I'm assuming they're just flipping the games so when we're supposed to go to Miami, they come here instead. If that's not the case, then I'm mistaken, but it seems like a reasonable alternative.

It doesn’t sound like next year’s series with MO will be moved, however, we will be considered the home team this weekend, thus, NIU will be batting last.

Gotcha. I just assumed we played them twice (home and away).

I'm out of ideas.

If they are still going to move or cancel games due to weather after all these baseball facility phases which amount to over $2 million they should figure out a way to combine the softball and baseball fields. This would decrease costs (which our current athletic department loves to do). Does it really make sense to upgrade and maintain two fields/stadiums when the softball and baseball teams only play 30% of their season at home?

North Park University uses the same athletic field to play five sports--baseball, football, men's soccer, women's soccer, and softball.

https://athletics.northpark.edu/sports/2...mplex.aspx

(03-20-2024 06:02 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If they are still going to move or cancel games due to weather after all these baseball facility phases which amount to over $2 million they should figure out a way to combine the softball and baseball fields. This would decrease costs (which our current athletic department loves to do). Does it really make sense to upgrade and maintain two fields/stadiums when the softball and baseball teams only play 30% of their season at home?

North Park University uses the same athletic field to play five sports--baseball, football, men's soccer, women's soccer, and softball.

https://athletics.northpark.edu/sports/2...mplex.aspx

And maybe we can join DIII and be even more like North Park.

(03-20-2024 07:01 AM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-20-2024 06:02 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If they are still going to move or cancel games due to weather after all these baseball facility phases which amount to over $2 million they should figure out a way to combine the softball and baseball fields. This would decrease costs (which our current athletic department loves to do). Does it really make sense to upgrade and maintain two fields/stadiums when the softball and baseball teams only play 30% of their season at home?

North Park University uses the same athletic field to play five sports--baseball, football, men's soccer, women's soccer, and softball.

https://athletics.northpark.edu/sports/2...mplex.aspx

And maybe we can join DIII and be even more like North Park.

At least them and Wheaton College aren't afraid to play in the same weather conditions. Such a waste of $2.5 million on a baseball stadium that is going to only play 16 home games this season.

(03-20-2024 06:02 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If they are still going to move or cancel games due to weather after all these baseball facility phases which amount to over $2 million they should figure out a way to combine the softball and baseball fields. This would decrease costs (which our current athletic department loves to do). Does it really make sense to upgrade and maintain two fields/stadiums when the softball and baseball teams only play 30% of their season at home?

North Park University uses the same athletic field to play five sports--baseball, football, men's soccer, women's soccer, and softball.

https://athletics.northpark.edu/sports/2...mplex.aspx

Why the fvck are we looking at North Park University as how we should run anything?

Baseball and softball fields are vastly different. Granted, with turf infields, they are much more multi-use but you downgrade your programs to high school level if that's the plan. Most community colleges have sport specific fields.

I get the frustrations but actively trying to make the programs look bad is silly.

(03-20-2024 07:43 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(03-20-2024 06:02 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If they are still going to move or cancel games due to weather after all these baseball facility phases which amount to over $2 million they should figure out a way to combine the softball and baseball fields. This would decrease costs (which our current athletic department loves to do). Does it really make sense to upgrade and maintain two fields/stadiums when the softball and baseball teams only play 30% of their season at home?

North Park University uses the same athletic field to play five sports--baseball, football, men's soccer, women's soccer, and softball.

https://athletics.northpark.edu/sports/2...mplex.aspx

Why the fvck are we looking at North Park University as how we should run anything?

Baseball and softball fields are vastly different. Granted, with turf infields, they are much more multi-use but you downgrade your programs to high school level if that's the plan. Most community colleges have sport specific fields.

I get the frustrations but actively trying to make the programs look bad is silly.

The program has looked bad since Ed Mathey left over a decade ago. He left for a D3 job, tells you how much you need to know about our baseball program.

Baseball is a huge money loser and brings in no revenue. At least try to save some money on two money losers (baseball and softball) and use the same facility.

Baseball is the only program that's going to get any use out of this this $2.5 million investment. When is the last time the athletic department did a $2.5 million investment in Huskie Stadium which is one of the few sports bringing in revenue. The football program brings in at least $4 million per year (between $1-2 million in guarantee games, $800k for the ESPN contract, another $1.5 million in CFP revenue, and whatever they make on ticket sales/concessions/parking).

(03-20-2024 07:52 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(03-20-2024 07:43 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(03-20-2024 06:02 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  If they are still going to move or cancel games due to weather after all these baseball facility phases which amount to over $2 million they should figure out a way to combine the softball and baseball fields. This would decrease costs (which our current athletic department loves to do). Does it really make sense to upgrade and maintain two fields/stadiums when the softball and baseball teams only play 30% of their season at home?

North Park University uses the same athletic field to play five sports--baseball, football, men's soccer, women's soccer, and softball.

https://athletics.northpark.edu/sports/2...mplex.aspx

Why the fvck are we looking at North Park University as how we should run anything?

Baseball and softball fields are vastly different. Granted, with turf infields, they are much more multi-use but you downgrade your programs to high school level if that's the plan. Most community colleges have sport specific fields.

I get the frustrations but actively trying to make the programs look bad is silly.

The program has looked bad since Ed Mathey left over a decade ago. He left for a D3 job, tells you how much you need to know about our baseball program.

Baseball is a huge money loser and brings in no revenue. At least try to save some money on two money losers (baseball and softball) and use the same facility.

Baseball is the only program that's going to get any use out of this this $2.5 million investment. When is the last time the athletic department did a $2.5 million investment in Huskie Stadium which is one of the few sports bringing in revenue. The football program brings in at least $4 million per year (between $1-2 million in guarantee games, $800k for the ESPN contract, another $1.5 million in CFP revenue, and whatever they make on ticket sales/concessions/parking).

Every athletic program we have, including football and basketball, are huge money losers. Without student athletic fees, every, single program is nothing but a money pit. None of them could survive as a stand-alone entity. However, they are not intended to be profit centers. You seem to have a problem with baseball in general, and that is a fair discussion. But, to suggest that it would be a good idea to duplicate a DIII university’s facilities is ridiculous.

(03-20-2024 08:05 AM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-20-2024 07:52 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  the program has looked bad since Ed Mathey left over a decade ago. He left for a D3 job, tells you how much you need to know about our baseball program.

Baseball is a huge money loser and brings in no revenue. At least try to save some money on two money losers (baseball and softball) and use the same facility.

Baseball is the only program that's going to get any use out of this this $2.5 million investment. When is the last time the athletic department did a $2.5 million investment in Huskie Stadium which is one of the few sports bringing in revenue. The football program brings in at least $4 million per year (between $1-2 million in guarantee games, $800k for the ESPN contract, another $1.5 million in CFP revenue, and whatever they make on ticket sales/concessions/parking).

Every athletic program we have, including football and basketball, are huge money losers. Without student athletic fees, every, single program is nothing but a money pit. None of them could survive as a stand-alone entity. However, they are not intended to be profit centers. You seem to have a problem with baseball in general, and that is a fair discussion. But, to suggest that it would be a good idea to duplicate a DIII university’s facilities is ridiculous.

Football is probably paying for itself with the revenue I described up top. Doubtful we are spending more than $4 million on our football program.

The only problem I have with baseball, and softball for that matter, is if you are going to make these huge investments in them then play the scheduled home games and stop moving them. I understans no one is playing a game in tornados or lightning but to move a game because it's cold (when the football team plays in colder/wet conditions and other nearby schools play their baseball games in the same weather) is a waste of investment/capital. We were told they needed a turf field and stadium lights so that they could play home games and stop moving them to other sites. Well here they are still moving games...

But if we are being completely honest, the baseball and softball program are never going to become consistently good when they play 70% of their games on the road. The weather in northern Illinois is not conducive to playing games in February, March, and even some of April.

Just an FYI, this series was supposed to be NIU's first home games of the season after 21 games on the road.