2026 Baseball Mega Thread

[Appmountaineers19]

We will see what happens on 3/10

You’re absolutely right. Again I’m just going through the comparisons of both programs. I guess I should have elaborated more. This year WCU has three quality wins right now against some pretty good competition. I don’t think it happens often but because they’re not too far away and we i’ve seen what has happened so far in the last couple games it stands out a little more right now. As I said before, most of these non-P4 teams in the area, have enough talent to beat some of the better teams. It hasn’t happened for APP so far but it can.

The more we play P4 teams the better chance we have.

We need to schedule them more.

Canisius for 3
Queens/A&T/A&T for 3
G Webb for 3
Presby for 3.

It’s been a while since we’ve beaten a legit p4 team. Lack of opportunity and we usually play midweeks v them with our “bullpen day” arms.

You’re preaching to the choir. The powers to be have consistently decided that it’s not how they want to start this season. Some on other sites will tell you that it has to be mutual agreement and that teams don’t wanna play APP. I personally don’t believe that one bit. They have a scheduling philosophy and they stick by it.

[AppGrad78]

We’re better served by scheduling top RPI teams rather than simply scheduling Power 4 teams. In other words, we should (and do) look to schedule teams that are likely to be quad-1 and quad-2 RPI programs like High Point and ETSU and Western Carolina and, yes, Gardner-Webb rather than schedule low-level Power 4 programs like Boston College and Stanford and recently struggling South Carolina. Those teams do little to elevate our RPI, which at the end of the day is the second-most important component to our success behind Sun Belt wins and losses. Certainly there are plenty of quality Power 4 baseball programs but RPI is a better scheduling metric.

[ASUFan4863]

We will see what happens on 3/10

You’re absolutely right. Again I’m just going through the comparisons of both programs. I guess I should have elaborated more. This year WCU has three quality wins right now against some pretty good competition. I don’t think it happens often but because they’re not too far away and we i’ve seen what has happened so far in the last couple games it stands out a little more right now. As I said before, most of these non-P4 teams in the area, have enough talent to beat some of the better teams. It hasn’t happened for APP so far but it can.

The more we play P4 teams the better chance we have.

We need to schedule them more.

Canisius for 3
Queens/A&T/A&T for 3
G Webb for 3
Presby for 3.

It’s been a while since we’ve beaten a legit p4 team. Lack of opportunity and we usually play midweeks v them with our “bullpen day” arms.

You’re preaching to the choir. The powers to be have consistently decided that it’s not how they want to start this season. Some on other sites will tell you that it has to be mutual agreement and that teams don’t wanna play APP. I personally don’t believe that one bit. They have a scheduling philosophy and they stick by it.

You are absolutely right. Unfortunately those other sites will just tell you what they are told to say. I’ve heard their coverage of football and basketball has been terrible the last 12 months.

[311neers]

We’re better served by scheduling top RPI teams rather than simply scheduling Power 4 teams. In other words, we should (and do) look to schedule teams that are likely to be quad-1 and quad-2 RPI programs like High Point and ETSU and Western Carolina and, yes, Gardner-Webb rather than schedule low-level Power 4 programs like Boston College and Stanford and recently struggling South Carolina. Those teams do little to elevate our RPI, which at the end of the day is the second-most important component to our success behind Sun Belt wins and losses. Certainly there are plenty of quality Power 4 baseball programs but RPI is a better scheduling metric.

Gardner Webb had a 280 RPI last year.
Only 1 top 150 RPI in the past 15 years. USCjr has a top 20 RPI and they are crummy.
Every SEC team usually will be a top 50-75 RPI team because of the conf. they play in. Same with the ACC for the most part.

We’re not asking to play a regional P4 team every weekend but maybe 1 series to keep your RPI afloat. Any regional (short drive) Acc/SEC team would do that.

The midweeks against HPU/ETSU/Western are middle of the road RPI games and good for us for day trip midweeks. They
help if you win them away but don’t do much for us at home.

Plus it’s more fun for the players to go play away at Florida vs go to dry county Boiling Springs NC.

[Appmountaineers19]

We’re better served by scheduling top RPI teams rather than simply scheduling Power 4 teams. In other words, we should (and do) look to schedule teams that are likely to be quad-1 and quad-2 RPI programs like High Point and ETSU and Western Carolina and, yes, Gardner-Webb rather than schedule low-level Power 4 programs like Boston College and Stanford and recently struggling South Carolina. Those teams do little to elevate our RPI, which at the end of the day is the second-most important component to our success behind Sun Belt wins and losses. Certainly there are plenty of quality Power 4 baseball programs but RPI is a better scheduling metric.

I think you make good points but unfortunately the teams that you cited are weekday games (with the exception of GW - which is 45 mins down the rd). I think we are speaking more about the BAD 3 games series that are scheduled year in and year out. There so many quality P4 teams in NC/SC/TN/GA that I have no doubt would put APP on the schedule if they would travel. They just need 1 series per year. The program has consistently shown they don't want to do that. Honestly the program is in no position or should expect to have a quality P4 OR quality mid major come to Boone or Hickory in February or early March for 3 non conference games unless they choose to do so.

[AppSt94]

We’re better served by scheduling top RPI teams rather than simply scheduling Power 4 teams. In other words, we should (and do) look to schedule teams that are likely to be quad-1 and quad-2 RPI programs like High Point and ETSU and Western Carolina and, yes, Gardner-Webb rather than schedule low-level Power 4 programs like Boston College and Stanford and recently struggling South Carolina. Those teams do little to elevate our RPI, which at the end of the day is the second-most important component to our success behind Sun Belt wins and losses. Certainly there are plenty of quality Power 4 baseball programs but RPI is a better scheduling metric.

I think you make good points but unfortunately the teams that you cited are weekday games (with the exception of GW - which is 45 mins down the rd). I think we are speaking more about the BAD 3 games series that are scheduled year in and year out. There so many quality P4 teams in NC/SC/TN/GA that I have no doubt would put APP on the schedule if they would travel. They just need 1 series per year. The program has consistently shown they don't want to do that. Honestly the program is in no position or should expect to have a quality P4 OR quality mid major come to Boone or Hickory in February or early March for 3 non conference games unless they choose to do so.

Scheduling is a two way street so do we know that these programs have any interest in scheduling us? Are we rejecting offers due to travel cost? I know we just played a three game stretch @ GW, but did the team stay in Boiling Springs/Shelby or did they bus back and forth? I’m not saying that you are wrong; rather I’m saying that there is a reason that we schedule the way we do. Only Kermit or Doug can speak to the rationale behind it.

[Appmountaineers19]

We’re better served by scheduling top RPI teams rather than simply scheduling Power 4 teams. In other words, we should (and do) look to schedule teams that are likely to be quad-1 and quad-2 RPI programs like High Point and ETSU and Western Carolina and, yes, Gardner-Webb rather than schedule low-level Power 4 programs like Boston College and Stanford and recently struggling South Carolina. Those teams do little to elevate our RPI, which at the end of the day is the second-most important component to our success behind Sun Belt wins and losses. Certainly there are plenty of quality Power 4 baseball programs but RPI is a better scheduling metric.

I think you make good points but unfortunately the teams that you cited are weekday games (with the exception of GW - which is 45 mins down the rd). I think we are speaking more about the BAD 3 games series that are scheduled year in and year out. There so many quality P4 teams in NC/SC/TN/GA that I have no doubt would put APP on the schedule if they would travel. They just need 1 series per year. The program has consistently shown they don't want to do that. Honestly the program is in no position or should expect to have a quality P4 OR quality mid major come to Boone or Hickory in February or early March for 3 non conference games unless they choose to do so.

Scheduling is a two way street so do we know that these programs have any interest in scheduling us? Are we rejecting offers due to travel cost? I know we just played a three game stretch @ GW, but did the team stay in Boiling Springs/Shelby or did they bus back and forth? I’m not saying that you are wrong; rather I’m saying that there is a reason that we schedule the way we do. Only Kermit or Doug can speak to the rationale behind it.

All I will say is that the way the schedule there should never be talk about an ALB even if they win 30 + games. Need more than the SB schedule.

[311neers]

Do our "peer programs" go play solid P4/big time series?

Western- played in a tournament against Troy, Rutgers, ECU- yes.
High Point- 3 game set at Florida
Gardner Webb- 3 game set at Oklahoma State
UNCG- 3 vs Kentucky, 3 vs. Pitt.
ETSU goes to JMU for 3. (so, hotel)
UNCA- not a major series, but they do play away in an HBCU tourney for 4 days (hotel). And away at Villanova for 3 (is that conference? I DK)

Our peers and to an extent "lesser programs" are traveling to play bigger series. If they'll accept playing our peers, you'd think they'd be open to playing us.

We did stay in Shelby. So we have the budget for hotels, go play in a bigger series.

[AppSt94]

Do our "peer programs" go play solid P4/big time series?

Western- played in a tournament against Troy, Rutgers, ECU- yes.
High Point- 3 game set at Florida
Gardner Webb- 3 game set at Oklahoma State
UNCG- 3 vs Kentucky, 3 vs. Pitt.
ETSU goes to JMU for 3. (so, hotel)
UNCA- not a major series, but they do play away in an HBCU tourney for 4 days (hotel). And away at Villanova for 3 (is that conference? I DK)

Our peers are traveling to play bigger series. If they'll accept playing our peers, you'd think they'd be open to playing us.

We did stay in Shelby. So we have the budget for hotels, go play in a bigger series.

Based on the above information, it seems that purpose of how we schedule is intentional. Before we criticize, first we need to understand. Understanding it doesn’t mean you have to agree with it. Maybe reach out to DG or one of the baseball staff and ask.

[ASUFan4863]

Do our "peer programs" go play solid P4/big time series?

Western- played in a tournament against Troy, Rutgers, ECU- yes.
High Point- 3 game set at Florida
Gardner Webb- 3 game set at Oklahoma State
UNCG- 3 vs Kentucky, 3 vs. Pitt.
ETSU goes to JMU for 3. (so, hotel)
UNCA- not a major series, but they do play away in an HBCU tourney for 4 days (hotel). And away at Villanova for 3 (is that conference? I DK)

Our peers are traveling to play bigger series. If they'll accept playing our peers, you'd think they'd be open to playing us.

We did stay in Shelby. So we have the budget for hotels, go play in a bigger series.

Based on the above information, it seems that purpose of how we schedule is intentional. Before we criticize, first we need to understand. Understanding it doesn’t mean you have to agree with it. Maybe reach out to DG or one of the baseball staff and ask.

You speak in circles more than a politician. We all understand that the approach is incorrect.

[AppSt94]

Do our "peer programs" go play solid P4/big time series?

Western- played in a tournament against Troy, Rutgers, ECU- yes.
High Point- 3 game set at Florida
Gardner Webb- 3 game set at Oklahoma State
UNCG- 3 vs Kentucky, 3 vs. Pitt.
ETSU goes to JMU for 3. (so, hotel)
UNCA- not a major series, but they do play away in an HBCU tourney for 4 days (hotel). And away at Villanova for 3 (is that conference? I DK)

Our peers are traveling to play bigger series. If they'll accept playing our peers, you'd think they'd be open to playing us.

We did stay in Shelby. So we have the budget for hotels, go play in a bigger series.

Based on the above information, it seems that purpose of how we schedule is intentional. Before we criticize, first we need to understand. Understanding it doesn’t mean you have to agree with it. Maybe reach out to DG or one of the baseball staff and ask.

You speak in circles more than a politician. We all understand that the approach is incorrect.

Just because you don’t agree with the approach, that doesn’t make it incorrect. You want it done differently, do something about it.

[Cro-Magnon App]

Well, I’m going to the game today at Presbyterian College. Who’s pitching?

[311neers]

Well, I’m going to the game today at Presbyterian College. Who’s pitching?

If you can throw strikes, take your glove with you.

[Cro-Magnon App]

#28 pitching. Picked runner off 2nd to end 1st inning. 2-0 good guys. He’s throwing strikes.

[Cro-Magnon App]

Actually, it wasn’t a pickoff. It was the old hidden ball trick.

[311neers]

Presby just got lights 3 years ago. I knew they wouldn’t have a livestream.

[BUTCH1991]

#28 pitching. Picked runner off 2nd to end 1st inning. 2-0 good guys. He’s throwing strikes.

I'm glad we got to see it.

[BUTCH1991]

Presby just got lights 3 years ago. I knew they wouldn’t have a livestream.

This is why we need to adjust our scheduling. Tired of "Live" Stats.

[Cro-Magnon App]

Ours is a team of clones. All are about 5’8” 165 pounds.
5-0 end of 3rd.

[BUTCH1991]

5-3