NH Legion

If Nashua had lost last night to Lebanon, Salem would have gone because they had 1 less run against in the games between Nashua and Salem (Salem won 9-3 and Nashua won 13-8). Bedford was "in" because they beat both Lebanon and Goffstown (the other participants) and they had the least runs against amongst the 3 teams. Odd part of all this - it was a seemingly inconsequential 9th inning run in Sunday's game that could have been the difference. Or was it the "run" Salem scored in Salem where their runner "cut" 3B on John Ryan's bunt "play"??? :-) For my money, Salem is too good to be having to do that kind of stuff. If those runs don't score and the two teams had the same runs against - the tiebreaker is a coin flip. Imagine how that would have gone over. As it turns out the game Nashua played vs. Hudson on Monday didn't mean anything. If Nashua lost that and all 3 teams were 11-5, then Bedford would have been the #1 seed. It was the Lebanon game that mattered most.

I agree the tie breaking procedures are nuts. I also don't like runs against as it can create "bad feelings" if a team "runs it up". I say settle it on the field. I also think that a team like Lebanon with a 7-7 record shouldn't be going. Neither should Sweeney - Exeter was 12-4 in a stronger division. I was told that next year they are going back to singular divisions with everyone playing each other twice, plus wood bats. Apparently there is an "extra week" at the end of the season before regionals and world series. They should also push the NHIAA to remove the extra week they lose at the beginning of the season due to the insane playoff system the NHIAA has which has 4 games spread over 3 weeks after playing 3 games a week all year, but that's a different rant.

every other sport, includig major league, minor league, and college baseball, all use intra division record as the second tiebreaker. the tie breaking procedure the legion uses is for a one division playoff. the first line says... for playoff seeding only. you cant have a tie for third place if only two teams are going. playoff seedings happen only after you know who is going in the first place. I don't want to sound like sour grapes, I really do wish both teams well as I know several of the nashua players from the southern league allstar team of last year and this years high school teams. I really wanted my son to have the exposure that this tournament brings, after the junior showcase was cancelled it would have been nice. I will now hope for the lynn invitational and the showcase league for said exposure.

Dover won 9AM game 15-10... Leb jumped out early 5-0 as Dover pitcher struggled to grip ball. I think the heat really impacted things and Dover plated 7 in the 5th to go ahead 11-7. I left after 6 with Dover up 12-9 - it was 11:30 and over 100 degrees not including humidity.

I saw Joe M from NH HS SPorts there and he's been tweeting scores - see http://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/ or his #nhhssports twitter...

Went to the Nashua vs. Bedford game last night. Excellent pitching from both sides and Bedford took the 3-0 win.

Great night at Holman too, oustanding place to watch a baseball game.

The Union Leader reports today:

NASHUA — Dover Post 8 starter Josh Young went a long way to stop Sweeney Post short in an 11-6 victory Sunday at the New Hampshire American Legion baseball tournament.

Young, a recent Somersworth High graduate, pitched into the eighth inning. The tourney statistician figured his pitch count at 145. Young stranded 12 base runners, at least one in every inning.

“I can’t feel my arm right now but I’m happy we advance to play another game,” said Young.


Nice!!!! 145???? Good that they kept him under 150!

145 pitches for an 18 year old player is nuts! These kids should be on a 100 pitch/game count.

Sometimes I just have to shake my head and say why.

Congrats to Bedford - NH State Legion champs. Quite a performance by their pitching staff - 10 total runs against and two shutouts against Nashua and Dover. They may not have a very powerful offense, but they get the job done and take advantage of situations when they need to.

Good luck in the Regionals!

Merrimack Jr. Legion program is heading to the Northeast Regional after winning the NH State Tournament. Going 4-1 with victories over Concord, Dover, Keene, and Hudson. Their record currently stands at 20-6 on the year.

Congrats to Merrimack Jr. Legion. Good luck at regionals.