DBU valley addition for baseball only?

[Ta town]

A caller on sports daily brought this up and Brent basically confirmed that there has been a push to get Dallas Baptist added as a baseball only member.

I don't think they have been Division I very long. Last five years they have finished with the following RPI's 80,81,113,45, and 38.

Also they made the ncaa tournament in 08 as an indepedant. Would be a solid addition in my opinion.

[Shocker85]

I know absolutely -zero- about Dallas Baptist. Downside to having them join the NVC for baseball seem numerous to me:

Committment to baseball - are they a flash in the pan?

Distance - Dallas is a long haul for most MVC teams except WSU and MSU. Bus ride Dallas to Terre Haute would sssuuuck.

Adding another small private school IS NOT the direction I would look to improve the MVC in baseball. How deep is the resource pool?

--'85.

[ShockCity]

I believe Travis Wyckoff is an assistant there.

[WSU_Mom]

They are definitely not a flash in the pan IMHO. DBU has a very strong commitment to baseball. Would agree, however, that it would be nice to add a larger school, but...

See the link below for their MLB ties.

http://www3.dbu.edu/athletics/Pats_in_pros.asp

[ShockTalk]

Another good page to read:

http://www3.dbu.edu/athletics/baseballHistory.asp

[Wuzee]

As long as it's baseball-only, I kind of like it. They're strong -- instantly the No. 2-3 baseball program in the league, I would think, and an upgrade from UNI.

Plus, I'm always looking for an excuse for a Dallas roadie.

Gingerman Pub, here I come.

[Ta town]

It would be baseball only as its thier only D1 sport I believe.

They are members of the heartland conference (newman university is in that conference) for all other sports.

They are not a flash in the pan, they have a solid baseball program. Pay attention please!

Again only 5 years of D1 played, fricking first independent in 15 years to get ncaa bid and end of season RPI has averaged 71

[WSUwatcher]

DBU

Dallas Baptist would immediately upgrade the MVC in baseball by quite a bit, '85. They're good and getting better. If it happens, it's a huge plus for the league.

[Ta town]

I know absolutely -zero- about Dallas Baptist. Downside to having them join the NVC for baseball seem numerous to me:

Committment to baseball - are they a flash in the pan?

Distance - Dallas is a long haul for most MVC teams except WSU and MSU. Bus ride Dallas to Terre Haute would sssuuuck.

Adding another small private school IS NOT the direction I would look to improve the MVC in baseball. How deep is the resource pool?

--'85.

Really and please tell me a school with a solid baseball program outside of Oral Roberts and Dallas Baptist that would be willing to join the valley?

DBU is only baseball for Div I, so no worries about it bringing down the league in other sports.

as far as travel goes.......its baseball, so one trip every other year.

[GoShockers89]

This would be the first brilliant move by our conference in thirty years. Please do it.

Pretty please.

[twister17e]

Dallas Baptist is the real deal in baseball. This would be pretty big for the MVC. I would love to see this happen.

[pogo]

During the same show Bob came up with the idea of the league actually doing an audit on its membership and getting rid of a few members. His suggestion was E'ville, Ind State and Drake or UNI. Adding Butler, St. Louis, and perhaps ORU. I don't know about the omissions or additions but an audit of membership each 5-10 years would be a good idea. Keep each institution on its toes to keep making strides forward.

[shock49]

DROP Evansville and add Oral Roberts

[vbird53]

I'm all for the audit that Bob is suggesting. Some Valley programs are not pulling their weight.

I'd hate to rush into any arrangements with programs right now, as the potential Big 10 shake-up looms.

Being prepared, on the other hand, is a great idea. Now is not the time to be sitting on your hands thinking the current league is just fine.

[SPEShockAlum]

Since neither Drake nor UNI have baseball, adding a couple more competitive teams as "baseball only" members would be a smart move - obviously the concensus here. Over the past few years, I've even thought about the possibility of WSU going independent and spending the whole season playing tough teams instead of the typical cream-puffs in the MVC. I'm sure we could still maintain some of the stronger conference series (i.e. MSU and CU). A clear downfall is losing the Valley tournament, something on which I'm not sure the school or the conference is too keen. On the other hand, when CU mooches the soon-to-be TD Ameritrade Park off the city, we may not have to worry about that any longer.