Episode 35: 2019 Midwest Region Preview

Welcome to Episode 35 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This is the seventh of eight regional preview podcasts -- this episode focuses on the Midwest region. But before getting into the frigid tundra of the Midwest, we discuss the latest Top 25 poll (at 0:30) and which teams have surprised and disappointed so far. Then we put on our parkas and head north to the MIAC (at 5:03), where the historic rivalry between St. John's and St. Thomas has been interrupted by Bethel Royals and their comically good pitching staff. Next (at 13:50), it's time for the NACC, where Concordia-Chicago will have to reload after graduating a horde of talented seniors and fend off the Aurora Spartans for the title. We then head back farther north to the UMAC  (at 20:10), where the Bethany Lutheran Vikings are fresh off ending St. Scholastica's two-decade reign of dominance and look ready to start a title streak of their own. Finally, we look to the powerhouse, but bidless conference of the Midwest, the WIAC (at 26:30), where Whitewater, La Crosse, and Oshkosh will duke it out once again for the precious Pool B bids. We conclude (at 40:52) by shouting out some other notable players and then picking our players and pitchers of the year, and our teams to beat.    Click here to see our 2019 Preseason All-American teams.  Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ.  Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected] Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759