[homeruntrot]

How does this play out? Possibly the best leaguein Central Ohio, with numerous final four appearances over last ten years. I got the following:

1. New Cath (Lough too much)
2. Heath (Best coached team around)
3. Granville (Steenson is a D1 pitcher)
4. Academy (Not much pitching, but two D1 signees in Ratcliff and Watters)
5. Lakewood (Hard to put the powerhouse here, but it is what it is)
6. Whitehall (Coaches boy may be the most underrated player in league)
7. Bexley (Real young and lost their ace)
8. Licking Valley (New coach and not much talent)

[captnwoody]

Heath best coach around? That's a bold statement

[homeruntrot]

I'm willing to listen. Who would you put ahead?

[osu_silveraider]

Heath is absolutely well coached...so is Newark Cat and Lakewood.

[captnwoody]

Man right down the road has 4 DII titles and 300 more wins in the same amount of years coached..we can probably start there? Klontz is a true class act and a great coach but saying he is the best around is questionable at best

[homeruntrot]

I agree, Thorpe is a legend, as well. Coach Canizarro is a class act and has rings, too. I guess I think Klontz has less to work with each year, and gets more out of his talent. I hope this doesn't sound like I'm slighting Cando or Thorpe. They are both outstanding. I just like the way Klontz runs his club. I guess I'd be happy with any of those three coaching my team. Can we agree that the MSL Ohio has three of the top coaches in the Central District?

[captnwoody]

Agreed

[82wolve82]

please advise if you truly meant "best league in Central Ohio.." or if you meant to add the phrase "...outside of the OCC".

[captnwoody]

No doubt the best pound for pound league in central Ohio if you take into account state titles

[darbybaseball]

Originally Posted by captnwoody

No doubt the best pound for pound league in central Ohio if you take into account state titles

The Mid-State League is an excellent small-school conference. The OCC is an excellent large-school conference. However, with that said, comparing the two is not logical...it's comparing apples to oranges. It makes as little sense as comparing the OAC or NCAC to the Big Ten......"pound for pound the NCAC is better than the Big Ten" seems silly to say, don't you think?

[captnwoody]

Please explain to me your knowledge of why the occ is an excellent big school conference.
12-0

[darbybaseball]

Originally Posted by captnwoody

Please explain to me your knowledge of why the occ is an excellent big school conference.
12-0

Captnwoody, are you saying that the OCC is not a good high school conference, or am I just not understanding your question? If so, your kidding, right? Just recently the OCC had a team in the state semis last year, Grove City. Pickerington a couple of years ago. At least two OCC alum just drafted out of college in the last MLB draft: Ben Thomas, Xavier (Westerville) and Jason King, Kansas St. (Dublin). At least two playing in the SEC with Mayer (Grove City) and Cousino (UK), one in Big Twelve with Jared King (Dublin). At least 15 OCC players (those are just the players that I know about) in the Class of 2012 with D1 college commitments. One Class of 2014 OCC player is already committed to OSU, Niggemeyer (sp?) at Worthington Kilbourne. A coach just elected into the National High School Hall of Fame (Saunders at Dublin Coffman).

This is just off of the top of my head, and I'm sure I'm missing a lot, but you get the point. Is this proof enough that the OCC is an excellent large school conference? If not, then we will just agre to disagree.

[captnwoody]

Just curious what your criteria for excellent was..that's all

[lmavcch3]

Gotta consider the number of schools when comparing the conferences. Mid State, 8. OCC, 30 or so.

Mid-State is probably stronger top to bottom, considering size of schools. Both obviously have quality players and quality teams. Agree it's comparing apples to oranges.

[82wolve82]

Originally Posted by captnwoody

Please explain to me your knowledge of why the occ is an excellent big school conference.
12-0

Darby said a lot of it. There are lots of strong programs in the MSL with great history in the state tourney, in the lower divisions. I'm simply talking quality of the players/teams from the D1 suburban schools. Each year about 3-4 of the "big boys" from around I-270 could win the MSL. This year Pick Central and Gahanna are loaded.

[captnwoody]

So your criteria consist of having a couple teams almost win the state and having individual players playing DI in college? I'm sold.

I mean with schools that have 3-8 times as many boys to choose from you would think it would be a little stronger conference. I give the occ much respect in basketball and football but not really seeing it in baseball. Sorry just my opinion.
I just looked it up and in my 3 years playing at Lakewood we were 13-0 against occ teams..including pick Dublin C gahanna UA and Newark(which was good then)

Fwiw there is no doubt in my mind that the occ has better overall talent in their league but I don't think that makes them a better league.

As far as coaching the msl ohio prob has 3 of the top 5 guys in central ohio. The ccl prob has the other 2.

[homeruntrot]

D1 signees?

MSL Ohio
-Lough - OSU
-Ratcliff -OSU
-Steenson - Kent St or Akron I think
-Watters - Northwestern

Thats pretty good for 8 schools

[homeruntrot]

I'll give you Manahan, but who's the other from the CCL? I think Steve Little from Olentangy has to be considered, as well as Brock Mullins from Briggs (he plays the big boys year in and year out).

[canofcorn]

Just saw this thread - I would say that Coach Neubert from DeSales has to be considered.

[homeruntrot]

After the first week, I may need to tweak the prediction:

1. New Cath
2. Granville
3. Academy
4. Valley
5. Heath
6. Whitehall
7. Lakewood
8. Bexley