Another GREAT season!!!

[William]

For anybody foolish enough to think the shockers need to leave the valley for baseball.

Do you like winning 40 games a year?

Do you like winning your conference nearly every year?

Do you like going to regionals every year?

Do you like being considered to host regionals?

Do you like your big beautiful stadium?


If the answer to these questions is yes, then get down on your knees and thank God for the Valley, because over the years, these things were not possible without a conference like the valley. And for those of you thinking you would like a shot at the big boys leagues, be careful what you wish for and remember the grass is always greener on the other side.

[shockfan89]

Not sure how much you know about college baseball, but of the five questions you asked only the first two would even be in danger.

WSU would probably have a better chance to make regionals and host them if they were in a different conference. Plus I am not sure how the stadium factors at all in what conference we are in? Do we have to leave the stadium with the MVC if we joined the Big 12? :)

Haven't you been following along when we talk about how bad the MVC drains our RPI? We wouldn't win as many games in the Big 12, but we could also finish 8th and have a chance at getting in. Missouri finished 4th in the Big 12 and was considered for hosting. So what exactly is your point?

[William]

Not sure how much you know about college baseball, but of the five questions you asked only the first two would even be in danger.

WSU would probably have a better chance to make regionals and host them if they were in a different conference. Plus I am not sure how the stadium factors at all in what conference we are in? Do we have to leave the stadium with the MVC if we joined the Big 12? :)

Haven't you been following along when we talk about how bad the MVC drains our RPI? We wouldn't win as many games in the Big 12, but we could also finish 8th and have a chance at getting in. Missouri finished 4th in the Big 12 and was considered for hosting. So what exactly is your point?

It's pretty simple, If not for the Valley or a conference like it, this program might never have been built. If not for the gawdy records that came from weak schedules in the late seventies and early eighties, and the regional and cws appearances that came with, a strong argument can be made that recruiting would be difficult, the late mr. Eck (who loved a winner) might not have got the fundraising momentum going, the people of wichita wouldn't have filled the stands to see a .500 team, the list goes on. So the valley has a few dissadvantages now, yet still has its advantages as well, it's really a wash. A more reasonable solution would be to bring more competitive schools to the valley, because why would a bcs conference want us anyway? no football, not even close to that level in basketball etc.

[shockfan89]

Oh, I didn't realize you were going back to the 70's or 80's and saying the program wouldn't be what it is today without the MVC. Again, we may not have the win totals, but you don't play in that many National Championship Games if you are just beating up people in a weak conference. When you get to post-season you actually have to be good or you won't win.

I don't think anyone is talking about WSU as a whole leaving the MVC, just wondering what it would be like for baseball. I think we missed our chance in the late 90's. Wasn't there a time when the Big 12 had 11 schools before Iowa State dropped baseball? That would have been perfect for WSU to have filled in for Colorado just in baseball.

[martymoose]

I'm not sure I buy any of that...Gene built a team that went to the CWS in what...3 or 4 years after he started? I can't imagine what he would have done in a bigger conference. WSU had nothing to offer players, no facilities, no big name opponents, NOTHING! Gene built a team that was playing for national titles almost instantly. It had nothing to do with the lowly MVC. If that were the case, how did his players compete against the best in the country?

[t7017s]

I'm not sure I buy any of that...Gene built a team that went to the CWS in what...3 or 4 years after he started? I can't imagine what he would have done in a bigger conference. WSU had nothing to offer players, no facilities, no big name opponents, NOTHING! Gene built a team that was playing for national titles almost instantly. It had nothing to do with the lowly MVC. If that were the case, how did his players compete against the best in the country?

:good:

[t7017s]

The point is that the 2 time defending NATIONAL CHAMPION couldn't even make the field of 64 this year. It doesn't matter what conference you play in or where you finish, it is extremely difficult to maintain success over a 5 year period, much less a 30 year period.

The term really suck was not meant to belittle OU, Arkansas, Clemson or Oregon State and was meant based on conference records and performance. I should have chosen different wording because we all know those teams don't suck, the point was that in the SEC it is very possible to make the NCAA and not even finish in the top 8 in your conference and they are the 4th ranked conference in the country. For Oregon State to play in the 2nd toughest conference in the country and finish low enough to not even make the NCAA shows how easy it is to fall very fast. Hopefully that will help some of the people understand the reason for the thread.

:good:

[7hottamales]

For anybody foolish enough to think the shockers need to leave the valley for baseball.

Do you like winning 40 games a year?

Do you like winning your conference nearly every year?

Do you like going to regionals every year?

Do you like being considered to host regionals?

Do you like your big beautiful stadium?


If the answer to these questions is yes, then get down on your knees and thank God for the Valley, because over the years, these things were not possible without a conference like the valley. And for those of you thinking you would like a shot at the big boys leagues, be careful what you wish for and remember the grass is always greener on the other side.

Your premise is silly. I would also love to see us in a conference with good competition and good games to go out and watch at the Eck.

[SpanglerFan316]

The point is that the 2 time defending NATIONAL CHAMPION couldn't even make the field of 64 this year. It doesn't matter what conference you play in or where you finish, it is extremely difficult to maintain success over a 5 year period, much less a 30 year period.

The term really suck was not meant to belittle OU, Arkansas, Clemson or Oregon State and was meant based on conference records and performance. I should have chosen different wording because we all know those teams don't suck, the point was that in the SEC it is very possible to make the NCAA and not even finish in the top 8 in your conference and they are the 4th ranked conference in the country. For Oregon State to play in the 2nd toughest conference in the country and finish low enough to not even make the NCAA shows how easy it is to fall very fast. Hopefully that will help some of the people understand the reason for the thread.

This shows the effect of politics on the selection process.

[William]

For anybody foolish enough to think the shockers need to leave the valley for baseball.

Do you like winning 40 games a year?

Do you like winning your conference nearly every year?

Do you like going to regionals every year?

Do you like being considered to host regionals?

Do you like your big beautiful stadium?


If the answer to these questions is yes, then get down on your knees and thank God for the Valley, because over the years, these things were not possible without a conference like the valley. And for those of you thinking you would like a shot at the big boys leagues, be careful what you wish for and remember the grass is always greener on the other side.

Your premise is silly. I would also love to see us in a conference with good competition and good games to go out and watch at the Eck.

Alright, I'm sold, where do we get the sign-up forms for the Big12?

[7hottamales]

For anybody foolish enough to think the shockers need to leave the valley for baseball.

Do you like winning 40 games a year?

Do you like winning your conference nearly every year?

Do you like going to regionals every year?

Do you like being considered to host regionals?

Do you like your big beautiful stadium?


If the answer to these questions is yes, then get down on your knees and thank God for the Valley, because over the years, these things were not possible without a conference like the valley. And for those of you thinking you would like a shot at the big boys leagues, be careful what you wish for and remember the grass is always greener on the other side.

Your premise is silly. I would also love to see us in a conference with good competition and good games to go out and watch at the Eck.

Alright, I'm sold, where do we get the sign-up forms for the Big12?

Okay, now you have a point.

[shockfan89]

I would gladly trade the possibility of losing 7 to 10 more games per year to play in a power conference. I think it would be great for WSU to be challenged every game. Think of the benefits that could provide in the post season. Think of the crowds we could draw if we had Texas, OU, OSU, KU, K-STATE and A&M for a game weekend series.

[WuDrWu]

I would gladly trade the possibility of losing 7 to 10 more games per year to play in a power conference. I think it would be great for WSU to be challenged every game. Think of the benefits that could provide in the post season. Think of the crowds we could draw if we had Texas, OU, OSU, KU, K-STATE and A&M for a game weekend series.

Exfrigginactly. I would gladly trade 10 Valley titles for 1 more NC which I think would have been realistic.

I promis you that if we had been in the Big 12 since winning it all 20 seasons ago, we would have a top 10 program and the best facilities in the country, play to crowds of 7-10k for every weekend series.

[Shocker85]

I would gladly trade the possibility of losing 7 to 10 more games per year to play in a power conference. I think it would be great for WSU to be challenged every game. Think of the benefits that could provide in the post season. Think of the crowds we could draw if we had Texas, OU, OSU, KU, K-STATE and A&M for a game weekend series.

Exfrigginactly. I would gladly trade 10 Valley titles for 1 more NC which I think would have been realistic.

I promis you that if we had been in the Big 12 since winning it all 20 seasons ago, we would have a top 10 program and the best facilities in the country, play to crowds of 7-10k for every weekend series.

And how fun would the weekend series be with teams like Texas, TAMU, Nebraska, OU, etc. coming here every other season for 3 games each? 20-3 run rule victories are fun in their own way, but competitive games against very good teams would be much better. Yes, the Shox would lose more, but they would probably get better in the process.

Oh, and William: your BS about thanking God for the Valley and crediting it for the Shox success ... hogwash. All the success WSU baseball has achieved has come in spite of the Valley. Rarely has WSU swept through the Valley and then been embarrased in the NCAA tournament.

--'85.

[ISASO]

I too think the Valley has hurt the Shox more than helped them over the past 30 years. Sure, we wouldn't have the streak of 40-win seasons but the program wouldn't have lost the chip on its shoulder either.

Think of the financial impact of playing a set of B12 conference weekend series. For reference, the highest attendance number for any MVC game, regular or post-season is about 5,500. I don't think that makes the Top 10. 'Nuff said.