This is a first in a new series on Canespace titled: In My Humble Opinion (IMHO). But in reality we do not plan to be very humble although we will definitely be very opinionated when we write a piece like this about any subject.
For our first subject we chose college baseball. We realize that only about 25% of Miami fans can be considered hard core baseball fans but still, we think the sport, and this issue, deserves our serious attention.
The issue: It has become the common and accepted practice for college baseball teams participating in their conference tournaments to rest their best starting pitchers in the championship game even with the conference title is on the line.
The reasoning: The apparent theory is that the conference title is much less important than the upcoming NCAA regionals, super-regionals and making it all the way to the College World Series.
The problem: This does not happen in ANY pother collegiate sport other than baseball. The practice directly and intentionally diminishes the value of winning a conference title which should obviously be a huge priority in any college sport.
Now before we go there, let me be clear: This is not a criticism of UM head baseball coach Jim Morris and the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. Morris, albeit willingly, simply followed the currently accepted college baseball playbook on how to handle the conference baseball championships. To be fair the Georgia Tech coach took the same approach as Morris but only with different results.
In addition, this is not just a UM or GT issue, or just an ACC problem, but a NCAA wide issue that applies to all college baseball teams and their respective conferences.
But can you imagine UM head football coach Al Golden intentionally putting his team at a disadvantage and minimizing the importance of winning an ACC title. Can you imagine Golden sitting his starting QB for an ACC title game for fear of injury and "saving him" for a BCS bowl game? Can you imagine Jimbo Fisher doing the exact same thing?
Of course not because winning the conference title means something in college football. It determines your ranking in the polls, your BCS standing, which bowl game you will attend and millions of dollars are on the line.
Can you wrap your head around UM head basketball coach Jim Larranaga resting his starting five in an effort to "save them" for the NCAA tourney? Can you just imagine Miami facing down North Carolina for an ACC title and Larranaga starting his bench and resting his starters in an effort to try not win the ACC crown and but set up a run at the Sweet 16? Can you imagine Roy Williams from UNC doing the same?
Never in a million years would this happen in basketball because your seeding in the NCAA tourney is directly related to your conference tournament performance.
Georgia Tech went on to win their fifth ACC baseball title on Sunday. Miami has won one since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference when the Canes won it in 2008 under Morris.
Still, I think another one in 2012 would have been really, really nice, don't U?
Or maybe we should just ask Al Golden or Jim Larranaga how much an ACC title would mean to them and their teams right about now?
HEAT WIN!!!
Posted by: CEO | May 30, 2012 at 11:52 PM
GO HEAT! Now let's see how the Heat do AGAINST the officiating in Boston. And why the hell does ESPN keep calling Boston a Champion when Dallas won the Ship' last season, they're talking about Boston like THEY! won the game tonight.
Posted by: CaneRock | May 30, 2012 at 11:57 PM
Jim Morris needs to be retired. He's coasting.
Posted by: Dan | May 31, 2012 at 12:13 AM
Right on CEO! You should Send a copy to the UM AD, Jim Morris and ACC commissioner John Swofford.
Don't forget the NCAA president Mr. Emmert
[email protected]
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | May 31, 2012 at 01:25 AM
Pre- short doc on the hockey team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vUrMkdiJ-mw
Posted by: CGNC | May 30, 2012 at 09:57 AM
CGNC thanks for the link.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | May 31, 2012 at 01:41 AM
Soup
Thank you for the kind words the other day
Im still fighting the good fight hoping to come out on top
Lets Go `Canes
Posted by: Sebastian5706 | May 31, 2012 at 04:35 AM
CEO, just to add one small point to the article. Call it a small rebuttal, call it me playing Devil's Advocate for this article if U will. By no means am I a baseball expert, but really I'm just pointing out something on the subject.
Although true that no other sport rests their starters for Conference Chamionships, no other sport is like baseball, and no other position is like pitching. No other position at any sport requires U to rest for 2-3 games after playing a full game. I don't know the exact rules, but isn't there one in college similar to little league where the amount of pitches thrown determines how long U sit?
I agree that the Conf Championship should be important, but should it be more important than the elimination possibility in the World Series? Especially early in the tourney they've been eluded by for some time?
Again, I'm not agreeing with the current practice, I'm simply pointing out its not as simple as comparing it to football or basketball.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 07:37 AM
21 wins in May for the Marlins. Impressive.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 07:45 AM
RUNNING WILD IN DA SKREETZ:
Posted by: CEO | May 30, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Hell yeah I couldn't agree more, and well said. I for one am tired for watching the guys hang their heads, and slump their shoulders. I would much rather have a 15 yard flag then ever see that $hit again.
GO CANES!!!
Posted by: IraqiCane | May 31, 2012 at 09:38 AM
Im still fighting the good fight hoping to come out on top
Posted by: Sebastian5706 | May 31, 2012 at 04:35 AM
Be strong and be well my friend.
Posted by: CEO | May 31, 2012 at 10:02 AM
I got to admit, I dont like the whole "give me an offer or I wont come to camp" stuff from Michael Deeb (if in fact true), but when looking at his Twitter it is obvious the kid has his head on straight and is a hard worker. He talkes about football/practice/being thankful for offers/grinding etc more in a day than some current canes have since they signed lol
Posted by: UMike | May 31, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Papa Cane - Recruiting Update: 5-Star Matthew Thomas, 6'4'' and 210 lbs, lists Miami, Alabama, UGA, FSU and UL in his Top 5. I predict Miami - 80%.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 10:39 AM
^^^ 5-Star LB Matthew Thomas Video Profile: http://ow.ly/bgQqM Elite talent out of Booker T. Washington HS.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 10:40 AM
Hopefully we get a couple of players from BTW..Kirkland also
Posted by: UMike | May 31, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Ohio...good arguments that I took into account when I wrote the piece.
Erickson, Miami's #1 pitcher pitched on Wednesday. Are U telling me he couldn't have pitched 3-5 innings on Sunday?
And he would have 5 days off until Friday against Stonybrook.
Posted by: CEO | May 31, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Louisville is in Thomas's top 5? Curious...
:)
Posted by: LB | May 31, 2012 at 10:53 AM
CEO,
If U go by (just for example) an MLB rotation, yes, he couldn't have pitched on Sunday. I haven't researched studies or anything, but I know that pitching too close together is generally thought of as an injury risk.
Granted, it's a little different in the Majors, but the reasoning remains the same. MLB rosters have a 5 man starting rotation, meaning the "starter" wouldn't pitch more than once every 5 games, a minimum of 5 days. 1 game per day.
Like I said, I don't disagree that it would've been nice to get that win, and if I were coach, Erickson would've been on the mound.
That said, I get it. They have their eyes on the BIG prize. The CWS.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Ohio...U are simply stating the obvious and yes we agree on most if not all of that.
But take it beyond baseball and compare it to football and basketball and the COMPLETELY different emphasis and approach to winning a conference title.
Football and basketball would give their left arm, right eye and both legs to win an ACC title. Baseball? Well not so much!
That was the MAIN point of the IMHO article.
Posted by: CEO | May 31, 2012 at 11:12 AM
All I know is when I play catch with my kids my arm gets tired about a few mins..idk how these guys throw as hard as they can 100 times lol
Posted by: UMike | May 31, 2012 at 11:14 AM
CGNC:
Mil gracias for the Canes hockey links!!
I honestly would never have thought it. Great for them and I wish them continued success and growth.
OGV - That game last night was a great game one. Not that I made any prediction, so the score not withstanding, it played out just like I thought it would.
NJ kept the odd man rushes and breakaways to a bare minimum...until the very end when the last guy you want all alone closes the deal. Still, a ton of great all around play and I think it will only get better.
It's one game and I envision a full seven. There is a lot of grit on both sides, including behind the benches. It's going to be some great hockey. You gotta love it!! And from the 8th and 6th seeds!
Posted by: pre83 | May 31, 2012 at 11:17 AM
UMike...c'mon man, buck up! LOL
I'm checking on Thomas and Kirkland with the source. Waiting for a reply.
Posted by: CEO | May 31, 2012 at 11:34 AM
I just had a thought. I know this is highly unlikely but what IF a football team in the ACC went 6-6 and was unranked but ALL of their wins were against ACC teams and they advanced to the conference title game and won.
Could a 7-6 team that was unranked or ranked 23 or 25 go to the BCS bowl game as an automatic qualifier?
Posted by: CEO | May 31, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Miller-Degnan - Canes star Peter O'Brien was in too much pain to take batting practice yesterday. Seeing doctor today.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 12:25 PM
It's going to be some great hockey. You gotta love it!! And from the 8th and 6th seeds!
Posted by: pre83 | May 31, 2012 at 11:17 AM
Yes and I hope my Pens enjoy it watching it from home .....sigh :\
Posted by: CGNC | May 31, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Sebastian - not sure what ails you, but feel better soon
Posted by: CGNC | May 31, 2012 at 12:41 PM
But take it beyond baseball and compare it to football and basketball and the COMPLETELY different emphasis and approach to winning a conference title.
Football and basketball would give their left arm, right eye and both legs to win an ACC title. Baseball? Well not so much!
That was the MAIN point of the IMHO article.
Posted by: CEO | May 31, 2012 at 11:12 AM
----------------------------------------
I completely understand. I'm not trying to nitpick your article. I guess I was just trying to make the point that the sports are so different that it's not so simple to compare it to football or basketball.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Is anyone else watching Game of Thrones on HBO? If not u should. If u haven't read the books, u should. Best series I have ever read or watched.
Posted by: SlingBlade | May 31, 2012 at 01:04 PM
Sebastian - get better my man
On the basketball note, did anyone else notice Pierce walking away from the game in the tunnel before anyone else?
He pulled a Randy Moss and I hate that kind of crap
Its almost similar to the crap LeBron James did when he walked off the court after the Magic beat the Cavs in the playoffs, not shaking anyone's hand
I don't care if there are .0000001 seconds left in the game and there's no chance of you winning - you don't f*****g leave your teammates out on the floor/field/ice to get to the locker room before them
Come on Pierce
Posted by: Six | May 31, 2012 at 01:11 PM
"Is anyone else watching Game of Thrones on HBO? If not u should. If u haven't read the books, u should. Best series I have ever read or watched."
It's a really good show. I don't have HBO, but I have S1 on DVD. Tight story. Is Season 2 good?
Thanks for the check on Thomas, CEO. I know the Louisville in the top 5 may be funny considering, but it's also a little too weird.
Posted by: LB | May 31, 2012 at 01:17 PM
Gatorade National HS Player of the Year is going to be announced later today
My bet on who is going to win it ...
Local kid, Lance McCullers Jr. from Jesuit
His dad was a 2nd Round pick and his pitching coach was a 1st Round pick (Geoff Goetz)
He has a season ERA of 0.18
He throws in the 95-99 range with a nice slider and off speed as well
He's a UiF commit - pretty sure he's not going to go there b/c he'll be a Top 15 pick probably
Posted by: Six | May 31, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Is anyone else watching Game of Thrones on HBO? If not u should. If u haven't read the books, u should. Best series I have ever read or watched.
Posted by: SlingBlade
--------
Better than Rome?
Posted by: 3G Cane | May 31, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Can someone name the best hotel in Miami to stay in? Best deals for all-inclusive? Any info appreciated. Possibly switching Honeymoon.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 01:40 PM
Okay, you play Pete O'Brien, knowing his wrist is probably sore as hell, and you shelve your best pitchers and not try to win the ACC ship, what's that all about? Maybe another 10 days of rest and not playing in the tournament would of prevented him from seeing the doc today. You play your best hitter, who is still hurting but you throw your scrub pitchers and rest your best. You have a week before you even play a regional, why not at least throw one of your better pitchers 4 innnings and let him get some work. I tanked a tournament championship game one time only because the state tournament started 2 days later and that was the only reason and lets face it, it's not like we've set the world on fire with our bats & defense.
Posted by: herbieibis | May 31, 2012 at 01:40 PM
Jorge Milian - Under Jim Morris, UM has won 16 straight NCAA regionals/super regionals at Mark Light with a 48-6 record {88.8%] at home in the postseason
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 31, 2012 at 02:54 PM
The Heat are proving they belong in the finals. Theyve got all the pieces in place. Like last nite being down 10 to 15 most of the game but you see they are like the older brother who is gonna come back at the end. You just know its gonna happen. Thats what we need to get back to with the U.
Everybody pitching in and feeding of the other persons success. We need to build that unity where we are the next man up, the man who steps up when the game is tight and makes the play that turns it in our favor.
Back in the day as a fan in the ob with the winning tradition and knowing what was expected when the team got in the ob we just seem to have a spell on the other team. Because of the chemistry and the hard work along with refusing to get beat by FSU we as fans knew that when we showed up we were gonna see our Canes come out on top. And it was more than just talent and speed it was a mentality that just refused to lay down. Its time to put that older brother spell on our opponents . Its time to win the mental game even before the game starts. CANES
Posted by: [email protected]@ne | May 31, 2012 at 03:03 PM
Anthony Davis is one weird looking dude lol..I think hes gonna be a bust
Posted by: UMike | May 31, 2012 at 03:04 PM
CEO,
After reading the article I couldnt help but notice you wrote no solution to the problem. How do you think it should be fixed? Maybe allowing more time for teams to rest before the tourney starts?
Posted by: The Dude | May 31, 2012 at 03:07 PM
Deeb is a good kid, Deeb is talented as hell about 25 offers right now, and Deeb loves UM, despite all those facts it is possible to have talented good kids that want to come to UM and they still do not "fit". Deeb's take is that UM came to see 2 of his practices and that should be enough, UM's take is they want him in camp before they offer. Deeb has declined to go to the camp, that is where they "fit" part has come into play. I really think the kid is a good young man, some team will be lucky to have him, it looks like we will not get him unless there is some kind of a change on both parties.
Posted by: Hassan | May 31, 2012 at 03:08 PM
Posted by: SlingBlade | May 31, 2012 at 01:04 PM
Just got done with first season... totally unsatisfied with the story. Its just a never ending build up to nothing happening in my opinion.
Posted by: The Dude | May 31, 2012 at 03:09 PM
Hassan,
Is Deeb afraid of camp? Why not go? Doesnt everyone go eventually anyways? If you love The U, wouldnt you be dying to go in front of the coaches?
Posted by: The Dude | May 31, 2012 at 03:11 PM
SlingBlade,
I wish HBO would do a series on all the things that actually happened from Alfred the great through Henry III. No that is some must see stuff. Nothing beats the real story of the English monarchy. Its so full of twists and turns.
Posted by: The Dude | May 31, 2012 at 03:14 PM
Season 1 of Rome was amazing on par with season 1 of Game of Thrones. Season 2 of Rome was disappointing but it was cause they decided to abruptly end the show due to its big production budget. I'm waiting for Game of Thrones to end to start watching season 2. If TV was a la carte I would get hbo, ESPN, Gol TV, TBS (gotta watch Seinfeld reruns) and local channels and I would be good to go.
Between strong and hurtt Louisville has a good pipeline into Florida. They will be dominating the big east for quite a while unless Boise state can get another good QB.
Posted by: The What | May 31, 2012 at 03:14 PM
Now* that is some must see stuff.
Posted by: The Dude | May 31, 2012 at 03:14 PM
Anthony Davis is one weird looking dude lol..I think hes gonna be a bust
Posted by: UMike
--------
I hope so. I'm already dreading the creepy commercials they'll roll out if he's good.
Posted by: 3G Cane | May 31, 2012 at 03:25 PM
Deeb probaly figures he doesn't have to prove anything based on all his offers.
Read earlier, in May where Matt Thomas preferred to go out of state and didn't have Miami in his top 6. It's early and the mind games are starting.
Also read where we were only going to take 2 DB's this year. We are still short numbers at Cb even if we are bringing in 6 dbs.
The solution to the baseball problem is easy; play to flipping win. There is a such thing as momentum going into the regional. Just because every coach does it doesn't mean Morris has too! It's like the dam prevent defense in pros. Stop a team all game long and then start worrying about giving up the big play and they nickel and dime you down the field and score anyway. A bookies worst nightmare or prayer answered.
Posted by: herbieibis | May 31, 2012 at 03:26 PM
2 ways the Deeb thing is resolved.
1. Golden refuses to offer him since making one exception can open the flood gates to other players doing the same thing. So golden is kind of forced into not offering him unless he comes to camp. Hence he doesn't come to Miami.
2. The kid changes his mind and goes to a camp. In all honesty that's the reasonable thing to do. The coaches have football questions and you can answer their questions by going to a camp. Do it and let the chips fall where they may. Don't let pride get in the way of a good decision.
I
Posted by: The What | May 31, 2012 at 03:26 PM
Is anyone else watching Game of Thrones on HBO? If not u should. If u haven't read the books, u should. Best series I have ever read or watched.
Posted by: SlingBlade
--------
Better than Rome?
Rome was great-I like Game of Thrones but missed part of season 1 and I'm a little lost-I'll read the book
Can't wait for the next season of Spartacus!!!!
Posted by: TJL | May 31, 2012 at 03:39 PM
Brian Banks is a great story. I hope he hooks up with a team.
As for the witch that falsely accused him of rape and received a $750,000 settlement from the school ... a blind date with Rudy Eugene would have been too lenient.
Posted by: Old Skool | May 31, 2012 at 03:47 PM
Just read the Brian Banks story. Unbelievable. They should put his accuser in prison for 5 years and force her to wear an ankle bracelet for 5 more. I know that may sound crazy but just as rape can shatter someones life, so too can falsely accusing someone of rape. He lost ten years of his life. She deserves that and five more for the money she stole.
Posted by: The What | May 31, 2012 at 04:15 PM
"Could a 7-6 team that was unranked or ranked 23 or 25 go to the BCS bowl game as an automatic qualifier?"
Even though the probability is low, that's a horrible thought.
Also, isn't there some rule that you have to be in the final BCS top 12... or is that just for non-qualifiers?
Posted by: LB | May 31, 2012 at 04:57 PM