American Legion World Series

RJM posted:

I just realized ... I don't think there was one new member, our LL is rigged, my kid was screwed out of all stars post this year. Is this a first?

Just want to be sure this wasn't meant as a dig at my post directly above yours?  

Last unbeaten team in winner's bracket (Bryant) is required to play a "placeholder" game Saturday night (it didn't matter if they won or lost, still had to play the championship on Sunday).  So Bryant didn't pitch their best pitcher (Jackson) in that game, saving him for the championship (Texarkana hadn't won a game when Jackson was pitching ever).  The other team, Texarkana, was in a do or die situation Saturday night.  Bryant lost by 1 run to Texarkana.  Next day Texarkana beats out a MIssouri team for the right to play in the championship against Bryant scheduled for directly after the MO/TEX game.  Storms begin.  Championship is rained out but rescheduled for next day.  Legion official cancels the rescheduled game that morning because of FORECAST.  Not a raindrop the rest of the day.  Yet Texarkana is awarded the trip to the ALWS because they'd beat Bryant Saturday night? Texarkana wins the whole ALWS.  

You don't think that's crazy?  Just want to be sure you weren't insinuating that I am a "LL is rigged," "my kid was screwed" poster.  My kid wasn't on the Bryant team.  Congrats to Texarkana on ALWS championship!  Still think Bryant was screwed.   

Stafford posted:

This year, the reverse happened. A team forfeited in the area playoffs due to not having enough players. Their upcoming opponent was then granted a forfeit win into the next round. Three hours later, the team that was granted the forfeit was told they no longer had a forfeit, and would have to play a team that had already been put out of the playoffs. So, a team that had been defeated in the playoffs was allowed back in???

And, for the record, I actually like Legion ball.

That's pretty much standard--we just discussed this about a month ago. It creates equity between teams facing each other and prevents things like double forfeits. Legion has this because there are a significant number of players that are unable to finish the Legion playoff season.

Coach_May posted:

Why can't people simply watch a game and enjoy what "THOSE" guys can do? Why can't they simply enjoy the competition and the game?

That's why I umpire. I get one of the best seats in the house and I get paid to watch baseball, and I can appreciate it in totality because each player and each team is an equal actor in the drama...I don't have to worry about if we win.

The best umpires without question are the one's who have that perspective Matt.

For some of us, watching such an event is an eye-opener. We get caught up in the high level prospect chase and forget that the majority of good high school level ball is played at the sub 85 mph level - some pretty good ball, too.

roothog66 posted:

For some of us, watching such an event is an eye-opener. We get caught up in the high level prospect chase and forget that the majority of good high school level ball is played at the sub 85 mph level - some pretty good ball, too.

I watch a good number of college games on television. Usually record a stockpile over the weekend, and watch as many as possible (Longhorn Network, SEC Network, PAC12, FoxSportsNet, CBS college). All are D1 games and maybe half will post a gun number on the pitcher.  Most college games are played at the sub 90 level with a lot of pitchers in the 85-86 range for their fastball, some faster, some slower.

Pitcher velocities in the Supers and CWS are not an accurate reflection of games played all year long (including mid-week games) among all competition in D1, much less all levels of collegiate play.

About seven years ago I asked a Phillies scout at an A10 game what's the velocity of the typical A10 pitcher. He said 85. He added he was there because the closer for one team wasn't typical.