Conference Hokey-Pokey & Draft Updates

Conference Realignment

■ UM President Gary Forsee made a bold statement as to which of the sports is really the most relevant in his statement about the Conference Hokey-Pokey situation (Columbia Tribune)

"It's a nine-inning game, whether we’re in the bottom of the first inning or bottom of the ninth, the speculation has been running away from everyone, including all of you in this room for the last seven months. The fact that we have obligations to our Big 12 Conference first and foremost … you shouldn't be surprised the lack of information from the University of Missouri."

Obviously, the MU administration people are taking their cues on the whole "media silence" strategy from the same people at MU who have learned the value of not releasing vital information to the media (things like lists of signed recruits, etc.)

You heard it here first: My reliable sources tell me Tim Jamieson is the mastermind behind the curtain in Mizzou's battle plan for the Conference Hokey-Pokey.

■ Quote of the Week from tigerboard.com, summing up the Conference Realignment Hokey-Pokey going on:

"I have one source, and it is not Alden or Deaton. I know what he knows, more specifically, what he decides to tell me.

At this point, I just don't know."

■ Nebraska to the Big Ten? (CollegeBaseballToday.com)

Yep, it looks like it’s gonna happen now. Here are some goods and bads on the situation, as far as from the baseball perspective.

And yes, I realize all this impending conference movement that will make earthshaking headlines for the weeks to come are based solely on football motivations. That’s obvious. But there IS a baseball side to this too.
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I can’t be the only one giving the Big 10 its props. I think Nebraska joining the conference will also give it more legitimacy with other major college baseball outlets. Then again, if you want to know how good Big 10 baseball teams are, just go ahead and ask Dave Serrano and Cal State Fullerton right about now.
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Non-Conference scheduling will be of vital importance. Nebraska always schedules well. But now they’ll have to hope teams like Fresno State, UCLA, Elon and Rice REALLY turn out to be as good as they can be when they’re on the schedule. The non-conference slate takes on a much more important role.

■ Tech coaches embrace Pac-10 possibility (redraiders.com)

Dan Spencer, Baseball

On differences between leagues: “The style will be different from the standpoint that the ballparks are different. The parks in the Big 12 are smaller, and the wind blows out. The parks in the Pac-10 are bigger.
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“So it will be two contrasting styles you have to play in, sounds like. But those West Coast teams will also have to play in Texas, and I can see where that will make for some interesting rivalries and teams will have to do creative things. The quality of competition will jump and will make for the best baseball league in the country.”

■ Realignment and Wichita State (Wichita Eagle)

Nebraska appears to be on its way to the Big 10, the 12th-ranked conference. The futures of Missouri, Kansas and Kansas State remain unknowns. No matter where they land, it’s unlikely to be in a stronger baseball conference than the Big 12. On the flip side, WSU does play Nebraska, KU and K-State, so RPI drops at those schools affect WSU’s strength of schedule.

If the Big 12 North schools lose their affiliation with the Big 12 South, it’s a minus for baseball. That doesn’t instantly elevate WSU. It does, however, change the baseball landscape in ways that may benefit the Shockers

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Draft Update

■ Royals High School Draft info on Michael Antonio and Jason Adam (14for77.com)

As a Missouri commit will the rumors of the Big 12 possibly dissolving have any influence on your decision to sign a pro contract?

It doesn't really play a factor because it wont take effect until my junior year and I chose Missouri because I liked Mizzou not because I liked the big 12.

■ Royals begin work to sign 50 new players (Kansas City Star)

Negotiations with right-handed pitcher Jason Adam, a fifth-round pick from Blue Valley Northwest, are expected to take a while.

“We’re going to have to work to get (Adam) signed,” Picollo said, “but some guys taken shortly after that will be there.”

■ Texas Rangers draft review (minorleagueball.com)

6) Brett Nicholas, C, University of Missouri: Nicholas has power and the ability to be a decent defensive catcher. He's not a spectacular pick, but he's not a bad one either, and provides some backstop depth for the system.
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FOUR OTHERS OF NOTE: 14-Nick Tepesch, RHP, Missouri; 18-Steve Buechele, 3B, Oklahoma; 29-Trae Davis, RHP, Texas HS; 30-Brian Ragira, OF; Texas HS