Has it always been that a United States Team was in the Final. I was how they determined who was home team in the final game. I believe I heard an announcer mention a flip of a coin?
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There's always been an American and International bracket. The biggest change was a few years ago doubling the number of teams to sixteen and declaring an American and International champion before declaring a world champion. Unfortunately, this year the two best teams (my opinion) didn't get to play in the finals. They (GA, TX) were both from the US. Yes, home team is determined by coin flip.
Being home team in a 1 game championship is a big advantage. With all the rules and regulations that little league has you would think they could come up with something better than that. why not alternate it from year to year or best record in the tournament or something other than a flip of the coin.
We discussed the tournament format at our house at great length... I don't like the separation between the International and U.S. teams - I agree with TG. That format does not guarantee that the two best teams make it to the championship... the two best teams may actually be in one side of the bracket, as I think this year proves.
As my middle son asked "Why is it always the U.S. against the world?" How is that a world series?
There was also much talk about how the Japanese team was selected from 70 teams that were pared down to four teams and then finally to one All-Star team... in essence, they chose a Japanese National team. I think all the ESPN $$$ is starting to go to LL's head. They also showed NEXT YEAR'S Japanese All-Stars sitting in the stands watching the game - anyone who's ever participated in LL knows that the teams can't be picked before June 1... at least here in the U.S. So what's up with that?
As my middle son asked "Why is it always the U.S. against the world?" How is that a world series?
There was also much talk about how the Japanese team was selected from 70 teams that were pared down to four teams and then finally to one All-Star team... in essence, they chose a Japanese National team. I think all the ESPN $$$ is starting to go to LL's head. They also showed NEXT YEAR'S Japanese All-Stars sitting in the stands watching the game - anyone who's ever participated in LL knows that the teams can't be picked before June 1... at least here in the U.S. So what's up with that?
ALSO, those kid's school started the first week of August, so they missed the first three weeks. What kind of message is that sending?
quote:Originally posted by mythreesons:
anyone who's ever participated in LL knows that the teams can't be picked before June 1... at least here in the U.S. So what's up with that?
Yeah, right!
papi... I sense some sarcasm 
OK, I know that here in the U.S. many leagues no longer abide by the rules nor the spirit of All-Star play - we've all heard about the travel teams that play the minimum number of house league games to qualify and then magically become the All-Star team. That stinks too, especially for the leagues that really do follow the rules, as ours was always so faithful about.
HOWEVER, at least in those cases the players all come from the registered boundaries of the league they represent - we don't choose Team Illinois and send them to Williamsport, for example... or am I naive about that issue as well?
I did hear them talking about a player who "joined the team for regionals" - can't remember the team - but they were pretty clear about the fact that the boy had not played districts, sectionals or state with the team. Also not allowed, so maybe all the rules are being broken to make the LLWS more exciting for the fan$$$...
... sigh...
On another note, did anyone read the controversy on the Minnesota team spitting on their hands before shaking with the other team after getting beat - they caught it on TV. Quite an embarrassment for the local league.
OK, I know that here in the U.S. many leagues no longer abide by the rules nor the spirit of All-Star play - we've all heard about the travel teams that play the minimum number of house league games to qualify and then magically become the All-Star team. That stinks too, especially for the leagues that really do follow the rules, as ours was always so faithful about.HOWEVER, at least in those cases the players all come from the registered boundaries of the league they represent - we don't choose Team Illinois and send them to Williamsport, for example... or am I naive about that issue as well?
I did hear them talking about a player who "joined the team for regionals" - can't remember the team - but they were pretty clear about the fact that the boy had not played districts, sectionals or state with the team. Also not allowed, so maybe all the rules are being broken to make the LLWS more exciting for the fan$$$...
... sigh...
On another note, did anyone read the controversy on the Minnesota team spitting on their hands before shaking with the other team after getting beat - they caught it on TV. Quite an embarrassment for the local league.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by gotwood4sale:
Yeah...they could be in school learning Chopsticks...
I was referring to the team from Georgia missing three weeks of school.
There's been talk in the past here about jocks in high school (often football and basketball players, but others as well) having a blind eye turned when their attendance or class performance isn't up to par. I just kinda' wonder if LL should be viewed similarly.
(Don't ask my why schools in Georgia start so early, my kid's don't like it either. It doesn't make sense, but that's the way it is.)
Yeah...they could be in school learning Chopsticks...
I was referring to the team from Georgia missing three weeks of school.
There's been talk in the past here about jocks in high school (often football and basketball players, but others as well) having a blind eye turned when their attendance or class performance isn't up to par. I just kinda' wonder if LL should be viewed similarly.
(Don't ask my why schools in Georgia start so early, my kid's don't like it either. It doesn't make sense, but that's the way it is.)
quote:Originally posted by mythreesons:
We discussed the tournament format at our house at great length... I don't like the separation between the International and U.S. teams - I agree with TG. That format does not guarantee that the two best teams make it to the championship... the two best teams may actually be in one side of the bracket, as I think this year proves.
As my middle son asked "Why is it always the U.S. against the world?" How is that a world series?
There was also much talk about how the Japanese team was selected from 70 teams that were pared down to four teams and then finally to one All-Star team... in essence, they chose a Japanese National team.
Tokyo is so large, despite the process for this team there were still other LL's from Tokyo or Tokyo suburbs in the Japanese regional. One of the problems with the population density of metro Tokyo is they would need a field on every street to comply with the US rule of a LL for every 20K in population. Japanese Regional Tournament
quote:They also showed NEXT YEAR'S Japanese All-Stars sitting in the stands watching the game - anyone who's ever participated in LL knows that the teams can't be picked before June 1... at least here in the U.S. So what's up with that?
It was a distorted story. By adding in the entire traveling party at 5K+ per member it made the traveling expenses for the kids in excess of 100K. 100K is a big number. There's no guarantee that LL wins their tournament next year. In fact a different LL has won each of the past five years in Japan. If an LL team from PA brought their next year's team at a cost of $100 worth of gas it wouldn't be a story.
The rule on selecting LL all-stars is they can't be selected or practice before June 15th. But there isn't a rule the teams can't be relabeled travel teams as long as LL doesn't fund them or allow any equipment or insurance to be used. These teams, whether affiliated with LL or CR will be focused on next season as soon as fall ball starts.
quote:Originally posted by StyleMismatch:
ALSO, those kid's school started the first week of August, so they missed the first three weeks. What kind of message is that sending?
I would call all the time the kids spend in The Grove interacting with other kids from all over the world to be an educational and cultural experience.
quote:Originally posted by StyleMismatch:
I was referring to the team from Georgia missing three weeks of school.
Sorry for the confusion Style. There's no reason those Georgia boys can't learn Chopsticks as well...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn9sLT6x_G0
quote:That format does not guarantee that the two best teams make it to the championship... the two best teams may actually be in one side of the bracket, as I think this year proves.
If they went to the format where the 2 best teams make it to the finals and say 2 teams from Japan or mexico or Latin america or Southeast Asia was in the finals for several years in a row what would the response be?
I don't believe you ever have to consider it happening. There are too many teams and not enough time to do a double elimination tournament. With pool play it's natural to do US and international. Also where there's an international champion and a US champion the format will never change. In fact, the brackets have always been US and international since the beginning of inviting international teams to the LLWS.quote:Originally posted by Will:quote:That format does not guarantee that the two best teams make it to the championship... the two best teams may actually be in one side of the bracket, as I think this year proves.
If they went to the format where the 2 best teams make it to the finals and say 2 teams from Japan or mexico or Latin america or Southeast Asia was in the finals for several years in a row what would the response be?
quote:Originally posted by Will:
If they went to the format where the 2 best teams make it to the finals and say 2 teams from Japan or mexico or Latin america or Southeast Asia was in the finals for several years in a row what would the response be?
Most likely...sayonara and adios.