The Pilot

Why is Maury still on this list? They may be the best of the Eastern but the Eastern is down even for them this year.

quote:

Originally posted by DEEPTHREAT:
Why is Maury still on this list? They may be the best of the Eastern but the Eastern is down even for them this year.

Now, that's a great question! The fifth team in the SED should probably get the nod. Although that's half the district being represented...I think the district has shown what its capable of while performing against other competition. One could certainly make the argument that a 6-4 or 7-4 team from the SED has more or less lost to teams that have been in the Top 5 all season.

If I were a voter, I would put Indian River in there, with wins over NR and FC.

quote:

Originally posted by DEEPTHREAT:
Why is Maury still on this list? They may be the best of the Eastern but the Eastern is down even for them this year.

Because some at the Pilot have kids playing for Maury

There it is....spot on. This is why the media polls are suspect. I wonder what a coaches poll would show?

quote:

Originally posted by birddog:
There it is....spot on. This is why the media polls are suspect. I wonder what a coaches poll would show?

Goes back to what I said earlier. IMO the two Eastern teams advancing to the regions out of district will get throttled by the first teams they meet. It is... just simply put... a down year for the Eastern District.

Well we could look at the bright side...If the Pilot got it right we would have nothing to discuss.

Anybody seen the brackets for the region tournament yet?

se1 vs. e2
p1 vs. b2

e1 vs. se2
b1 vs. p2

quote:

Originally posted by ofs10:
e1 vs. se2
p1 vs. b2

e2 vs. se1
b1 vs. p2

Thanks...I rest my case.

Wasn't the Beach and Southeastern #1 seeds in the same bracket last year? Doesn't that change from year to year?

Deepthreat, I suspect you will get your wish next Tuesday. With Churchland's win over Maury yesterday, I could see Maury dropping out and Indian River or another SED team joining the top ten.

Its not MY wish, I actually could care less. I have never thought the Pilot polls were worth much. I had forgotten that not only are there kids from VA PILOT writers but also ODU coaches.....home cookin!
Sorry but being the best in the Eastern this year is like being the skinniest guy on the biggest loser!

A tip of the cap to those who have uncovered the insideous Maury - Va. Pilot - ODU conspiracy to keep Maury ranked in the prestigious no. 10 spot in the high school baseball poll.

It is worth noting some additional corroborating evidence of the conspiracy. Commodore Maury was a ship's "Pilot", the newspaper is named the "Pilot" and ODU has recently launched several "pilot" programs. Also, Maury's nickname the "Commodores" has 10 letters - the exact number of Maury's poll rank. Coincidence? I think not.

quote:

Originally posted by bob Uecker:
A tip of the cap to those who have uncovered the insideous Maury - Va. Pilot - ODU conspiracy to keep Maury ranked in the prestigious no. 10 spot in the high school baseball poll.

It is worth noting some additional corroborating evidence of the conspiracy. Commodore Maury was a ship's "Pilot", the newspaper is named the "Pilot" and ODU has recently launched several "pilot" programs. Also, Maury's nickname the "Commodores" has 10 letters - the exact number of Maury's poll rank. Coincidence? I think not.

Now that's funny!

New rankings are out...and that was funny!!!

Rank School Record Previous rank
1 Western Branch 11-2 2
2 Kellam 11-2 3
3 Hickory 11-2 1
4 Nansemond River 10-3 4
5 First Colonial 11-3 6
6 Great Bridge 8-5 5
7 Cape Henry 10-3 8
8 Greenbrier Christian 16-4 7
9 Cox 11-3 9
10 Salem 9-5 - not ranked

quote:

Originally posted by mathews41:
New rankings are out...and that was funny!!!

Rank School Record Previous rank
1 Western Branch 11-2 2
2 Kellam 11-2 3
3 Hickory 11-2 1
4 Nansemond River 10-3 4
5 First Colonial 11-3 6
6 Great Bridge 8-5 5
7 Cape Henry 10-3 8
8 Greenbrier Christian 16-4 7
9 Cox 11-3 9
10 Salem 9-5 - not ranked

Sometimes I think they just guess.....

Not to discredit Salem, they are a fine team, but do they have three wins over Top 5 teams? Of their five losses, how many have come to Top 5 teams. Here's what I know...Indian River has 3 wins and 4 losses to teams in the Top 10 (mostly to the top 5). If they have the same records, how does Indian River not get the nod, when HALF of their games have come against top competition, and they've won some, to boot!?!?!?

You are correct! The beach is getting too much respect this year.

I know this would never happen but I think it would be great if the Beach and SED split into divisions. They could go 2X against division oppoenents and once against Conference non division opponents.

That would free up spots in the schedule for inter conference games between the Beach, SED and Eastern districts during the regular season.

quote:

Originally posted by luv baseball:
I know this would never happen but I think it would be great if the Beach and SED split into divisions. They could go 2X against division oppoenents and once against Conference non division opponents.

That would free up spots in the schedule for inter conference games between the Beach, SED and Eastern districts during the regular season.

I would like to see the Eastern Region tournament expanded to 12 teams. The winners of each district would receive a bye, and the remaining eight would have 2 vs. 3 matchups as a "play-in". Its only one extra game for those trying to get into the final eight, and none for those who win their district.

As it is now, and specifically to the SED...every year there are one or two clubs that would pound other competition, but can't get out of the district.

The Northern Region, I think it is, has a LARGE playoff contingent. I can't recall the number of teams that get in, but it's sizeable. I remember seeing the bracket last year. On one hand, its one more opportunity for a very good team to lose a game, but on the other, it rewards others with the chance to compete. It is certainly not watered down.

quote:

Originally posted by GoHeels:
I would like to see the Eastern Region tournament expanded to 12 teams. The winners of each district would receive a bye, and the remaining eight would have 2 vs. 3 matchups as a "play-in". Its only one extra game for those trying to get into the final eight, and none for those who win their district.

As it is now, and specifically to the SED...every year there are one or two clubs that would pound other competition, but can't get out of the district.

The Northern Region, I think it is, has a LARGE playoff contingent. I can't recall the number of teams that get in, but it's sizeable. I remember seeing the bracket last year. On one hand, its one more opportunity for a very good team to lose a game, but on the other, it rewards others with the chance to compete. It is certainly not watered down.

You are correct. It was the Northern Region which had a 16-team regional last year with each district sending their top 4 teams. I believe they skip district tournaments and go straight to regionals but I am sure a Northern Region poster could confirm or correct.

The first round bracket for last year was:

South County (Patriot #1)
Fri, May 27, ? p.m.
McLean (Liberty #4)

Westfield (Concorde #2)
Fri, May 27, ? p.m.
Washington & Lee (National #3)

Madison (Liberty #1)
Fri, May 27, ? p.m.
West Springfield (Patriot #4)

Chantilly (Concorde #3)
Fri, May 27, ? p.m.
Yorktown (National #2)

Oakton (Concorde #1)
Fri, May 27, ? p.m.
Mt. Vernon (National #4)

Lake Braddock (Patriot #2)
Fri, May 27, ? p.m.
Langley (Liberty #3)

Hayfield (National #1)
Fri, May 27, ? p.m.
Robinson (Concorde #4)

Stone Bridge (Liberty #2)
Fri, May 27, ? p.m.
W.T. Woodson (Patriot #3)

On the other hand, what I would like to see, maybe in addition, is best 2 out of 3 or maybe even pool play, to reduce the chances of the good team going home because of one game. Even when the colleges get to the Super Regional, they use a 2 out of 3 method.

quote:

Originally posted by WB Reporter:

quote:

Originally posted by GoHeels:
I would like to see the Eastern Region tournament expanded to 12 teams. The winners of each district would receive a bye, and the remaining eight would have 2 vs. 3 matchups as a "play-in". Its only one extra game for those trying to get into the final eight, and none for those who win their district.

As it is now, and specifically to the SED...every year there are one or two clubs that would pound other competition, but can't get out of the district.

The Northern Region, I think it is, has a LARGE playoff contingent. I can't recall the number of teams that get in, but it's sizeable. I remember seeing the bracket last year. On one hand, its one more opportunity for a very good team to lose a game, but on the other, it rewards others with the chance to compete. It is certainly not watered down.

On the other hand, what I would like to see, maybe in addition, is best 2 out of 3 or maybe even pool play, to reduce the chances of the good team going home because of one game. Even when the colleges get to the Super Regional, they use a 2 out of 3 method.

I agree there too! I love the pool play idea, and at worst, I like what the Northern Region does. Regarding the "series", at the very least the state championship should be a best of three. North Carolina does that for their Championship.

Bottom line...one and done with only the top 2 from each district is too restrictive. Especailly in baseball. The Eastern Region basketball tournament includes the top 4 from each district AFTER playing a district tournament. At least I think I'm right on that one.

Like the idea of skipping the district tournaments and going straight to the regional tournament with 12-16 teams. Top three or four teams from each district. Wonder if the districts (and other powers) would agree to such a change?

Is there money in it?