[X Factor]

Playing 3 game series. 3 straight days or 2 days with a double header on Saturday. With 5 teams, it looks like each team has 2 home series & 2 away series this year.

I think this is a very good thing. More should look into the same thing.

[baseball4lyfe]

I agree 100%

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

In a way I like it and in a way I dont.

[mr.charlie hustle]

Playing 3 game series. 3 straight days or 2 days with a double header on Saturday. With 5 teams, it looks like each team has 2 home series & 2 away series this year.

I think this is a very good thing. More should look into the same thing.

Why?

[Emmit Brown]

I like the idea of a series to determine the seeding for the district tournament. Even though it does account for 12 of each school's schedule, the series will allow for the teams to be seeded based upon the overall make-up and record in district. Last year and previous years, when seeding began as opposed to the blind draw, the team with the best pitcher could dominate and walk through the district (i.e. Chandler Shepherd and Lawrence Co). Now, with the rule in place, it forces teams to develop more pitching and to look towards match ups....similar to how the MLB uses a series in post-season play. The teams will be seeded by the overall performance. What's not to like?

[mr.charlie hustle]

I like the idea of a series to determine the seeding for the district tournament. Even though it does account for 12 of each school's schedule, the series will allow for the teams to be seeded based upon the overall make-up and record in district. Last year and previous years, when seeding began as opposed to the blind draw, the team with the best pitcher could dominate and walk through the district (i.e. Chandler Shepherd and Lawrence Co). Now, with the rule in place, it forces teams to develop more pitching and to look towards match ups....similar to how the MLB uses a series in post-season play. The teams will be seeded by the overall performance. What's not to like?

As you say EB 12 games is roughly 1/3 of your teams schedule. High School teams are in the business of player cultivation and development for now and the future. They have roughly 36 +/- games to achieve this goal. The High Schools have a JH and JV team in some cases to assist this goal and make their teams better. MLB has a lengthy schedule,finished players and an elaborate feeder system.My thinking is that player development would be better served by exposure to better teams and players. When the big show is reached perhaps stage fright would be greatly depreciated if you "done that before". Perhaps you get better by playing better???????

[OffTheHook]

My point is. When you get to the Tourney. You are going to see that team's best pitcher any way. Just for the sole purpose of advancement.

[Emmit Brown]

As you say EB 12 games is roughly 1/3 of your teams schedule. High School teams are in the business of player cultivation and development for now and the future. They have roughly 36 +/- games to achieve this goal. The High Schools have a JH and JV team in some cases to assist this goal and make their teams better. MLB has a lengthy schedule,finished players and an elaborate feeder system.My thinking is that player development would be better served by exposure to better teams and players. When the big show is reached perhaps stage fright would be greatly depreciated if you "done that before". Perhaps you get better by playing better???????

I know what you are saying. I'm a baseball guy just like you. Thanks to the KHSAA there is open season...so you can play year round. I agree that you do have to play good teams to get better and show you your weaknesses. That is up to the coach and how tough of a schedule do you want. There are good non-district teams in the area (Boyd, Ashland, Greenup, Pikeville, Belfry, Prestonsburg, Huntington area, etc) that could be scheduled at the beginning of each week that wouldn't interfere with with the series. Baseball season is roughly 12 weeks long. That's 12 weekends, 4 of which are for the district games. Which now leaves 8 weekends to host teams in a tournament, travel to a tournament or games in the Lex/Lou area. There are plenty of chances to travel or bring in "the big guns.". Even without the series I don't think many teams would head down the parkway or I64 on Wednesday or Thursday.

[mr.charlie hustle]

I know what you are saying. I'm a baseball guy just like you. Thanks to the KHSAA there is open season...so you can play year round. I agree that you do have to play good teams to get better and show you your weaknesses. That is up to the coach and how tough of a schedule do you want. There are good non-district teams in the area (Boyd, Ashland, Greenup, Pikeville, Belfry, Prestonsburg, Huntington area, etc) that could be scheduled at the beginning of each week that wouldn't interfere with with the series. Baseball season is roughly 12 weeks long. That's 12 weekends, 4 of which are for the district games. Which now leaves 8 weekends to host teams in a tournament, travel to a tournament or games in the Lex/Lou area. There are plenty of chances to travel or bring in "the big guns.". Even without the series I don't think many teams would head down the parkway or I64 on Wednesday or Thursday.

Certainly mid week games and lengthy travel would never fly and therefore would not likely be an issue. I am in the belief that seeding is not as important as player exposure. As hook has indicated, come tourney time more than likely a team will see the the better if not best pitcher the other team has available.You know if a team has a nice pitcher and a couple of good throwers,they will probably be effective in this region.I would not look for the series to catch on or be repeated next season.

[Olderthandirt]

I don't like it.....I guess I'm a "leave if alone if it ain't broke" type of guy. 12 district games is just way to many......if your concern is to develope players, you can do that out of district. It seems as if the 57th changes every year, seed, don't seed....now this.

[UpYours]

Say team A has 1 great pitcher, which pitches ever district game (last years format) and wins every game. That makes them a #1 seed in the district tournament which gives them a bie and will play the winner of the #4 vs. #5 teams. So basically they only have to win 1 game to get to the regional tournament. They will probably pitch the second or third best pitcher the first game and hold their Ace till the district championship. The new format eliminates the use of 1 pithcer in every district game, which in my opinion, will have the BEST team (not best pitcher) as the #1 seed. This will cause team A to pitch their best pitcher just to get to the district finals. Sending the two best teams to the regional tournament baring any upsets.

As far as exposure, thats up to the coaches to make the schedule, contact recruiters and showcase their kids. Knowing how to expose your athletes is what seperates the good coaches from the great coaches.

[Emmit Brown]

Certainly mid week games and lengthy travel would never fly and therefore would not likely be an issue. I am in the belief that seeding is not as important as player exposure. As hook has indicated, come tourney time more than likely a team will see the the better if not best pitcher the other team has available.You know if a team has a nice pitcher and a couple of good throwers,they will probably be effective in this region.I would not look for the series to catch on or be repeated next season.

What's the purpose of playing? Getting players exposure to colleges or to win a district, region and have a chance to win a state title. Myself, it's about the ring. I see yours and Hooks statement about getting to the district you will see the best pitcher anyway...good point. But the seed you have will determine which teams pitcher you will see. So if you ate in the 4-5 game, obviously you will see the ace from eachothers staff. The Winn will have to throw their 2 maybe even 3 against the 1 seeds likely 2...depending on the matchup. The 2-3 game will feature both teams ace to get to the championship in the tournament. Then it would be the 1's ace against the winner of he 2-3 #2. Therefore, these games all mean something and teams will be seeded based on their overall performance and record...not just a 1 game deal with a stud on the hill for each game.

I know some people don't like the idea, but I think it's something new and like the concept. However not everyone will see eye-to-eye regarding the series. It may take time for people to come around, or those on the bandwagon to jump off. Who knows...but I'm willing to see how it does for a year before scrapping it.

[mr.charlie hustle]

What's the purpose of playing? Getting players exposure to colleges or to win a district, region and have a chance to win a state title. Myself, it's about the ring. I see yours and Hooks statement about getting to the district you will see the best pitcher anyway...good point. But the seed you have will determine which teams pitcher you will see. So if you ate in the 4-5 game, obviously you will see the ace from eachothers staff. The Winn will have to throw their 2 maybe even 3 against the 1 seeds likely 2...depending on the matchup. The 2-3 game will feature both teams ace to get to the championship in the tournament. Then it would be the 1's ace against the winner of he 2-3 #2. Therefore, these games all mean something and teams will be seeded based on their overall performance and record...not just a 1 game deal with a stud on the hill for each game.

I know some people don't like the idea, but I think it's something new and like the concept. However not everyone will see eye-to-eye regarding the series. It may take time for people to come around, or those on the bandwagon to jump off. Who knows...but I'm willing to see how it does for a year before scrapping it.

I understand your position and agree to some extent. First of all I am speaking to exposure in terms of playing against better teams at locations with better fan representation. Not for college scouts. Heck mosts schools are playing now anyway. A #1 seed would be great but I have to believe that playing teams that are down that road every year is better. Players getting that experience over time have to be better. 12 games in District and 25 in region, what does that do for you if you go to the big show?

[OffTheHook]

Say team A has 1 great pitcher, which pitches ever district game (last years format) and wins every game. That makes them a #1 seed in the district tournament which gives them a bie and will play the winner of the #4 vs. #5 teams. So basically they only have to win 1 game to get to the regional tournament. They will probably pitch the second or third best pitcher the first game and hold their Ace till the district championship. The new format eliminates the use of 1 pithcer in every district game, which in my opinion, will have the BEST team (not best pitcher) as the #1 seed. This will cause team A to pitch their best pitcher just to get to the district finals. Sending the two best teams to the regional tournament baring any upsets.

As far as exposure, thats up to the coaches to make the schedule, contact recruiters and showcase their kids. Knowing how to expose your athletes is what seperates the good coaches from the great coaches.

OK this staement is shot to heck.

Last season example.
LC had to play MC and LC's Shepherd (their #1 in the SEMIs) threw and almost got beat.
Game #2: LC threw Banks (Their #2) and again almost got beat. Both were 1 run games.

The #2 and #3 seed game:
JCHS and PHS....guess what...BOTH threw their #1 pitcher.

NO MATTER how they seed it. The only game that you may not and I say MAY NOT see a teams #1 is the #4 & #5 game. But, 90% of the time you will still prolly see the #1 for each in this game as well.


End results.....The same as EVERY YEAR! Some team crying that they were a better team and just got beat by the other teams better pitcher

[Pupaw]

I'm not for it. It relies solely on pitching and there's no other way to go about it. The teams with less pitching suffer the most. For instance, most high school teams will have to plan to use at least 2 pitchers per game (barring a dominating performance which I don't see hardly any pitchers in the district doing right now) so you figure 2 pitchers per game times 3 games is a total of SIX pitchers used. This may sound harsh but there is no possible shot that any team has six QUALITY pitchers in the 57th District. And that's if a team only uses 2 pitchers at most in a game. Bluntly it gives teams with lesser talent the opportunity to steal a win away from a stronger team's bottom half pitchers that would typically only see the mound in rare occasion. The school sizes in the 57th can't support teams with 6 (at minimum) quality inning eaters. IMO this format is more suited for the Lexington/Louisville area schools based on pure pitching talent and school size. And like OTH said when it comes district tournament time it's not gonna matter anyway because you will see everyone's #1 in the first round. Win one and you're in the region unless you're in the play in game.

[JCHS Alumni Eagle]

I agree OTH... In theory I love the idea but in practicality not so much. I like the idea that a team can't throw the same pitcher every game. However, I think that in this area it would be better suited to do a DH and jsut count both games for seeding rather then trying to squeeze in the 3rd game. Or set it up as a 3 game series and only play the 3rd game if its a split after the first 2. The 3rd game when a team has already won is really useless any way. Look at the MC-Pville series. What was the point in game 3?

[Sportsnutt]

Ok, I'm lost, isn't pitching your best pitcher so that you can win what you are suppose to do?? Regardless of seeding or blind draw? if your team only has one good pitcher then you better be working on pitching.

[Eagle Pride 90`]

Here's my take on it. You are going to play at LEAST one third of your games against local teams anyway. In this region the 57th has some of the stronger teams in it.Throw in some games with Belfry and Pikeville and that is about as strong a local schedule you can get around here. Take a look at JC's schedule, it is by far the toughest one in the 57th. I don't buy it that the reason nobody likes it is because they have to play so many week teams. If that were the case why didn't Lawrence and Paintsville beef up the remaining 24 games on their schedules. Pupaw hit the nail on the head it takes a punchers chance away from getting the number one seed. That's what people don't like about it and that's why I like it. A team should be rewarded for being a complete team heading into tournament play. It does not take away your punchers chance once you get there but at least the best team will get the proper seed. IMHO anybody who is against this is just worried their team doesn't have what it takes to compete for three games. Jc may not be the best team in the district but I am perfectly fine with taking a lower seed if they are out preformed in the regular season.