It's up to You!

I received a couple of calls and a few emails overnight claiming that I was responsible for the State Board changing their minds and rescheduling the Class B State Tournament.  That is not true.  I have been going to State Board meeting since 1979 and I think that I have helped change some things, but my influence over the last few years has been minimal.  We have covered the same ground so many times that they just won't listen to me anymore.

In fact, the most recent conversation I attempted to have with a Board member, Fred Roufs, ended after my first line to him--he turned, crossed his arms over his chest and stomped away to his chair at the table where the meeting was being held (they were taking a small break).  On his way over he said that he was not talking to me.  As he sat down I thought I heard him saying lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala (I'm not sure about that). 

Anyway, you get my drift.  What happened in the schedule turnabout was that concerned people noticed the deficiencies in the old schedule and did something about it.  They emailed and called the State Board directors. I know, it didn't do much good to email (only about four of them actually get email) but the word got to them and the reschedule was accomplished. 

My point is that if you want something done or changed, you have to get involved.  Contrary to a lot of the things I read on websites and at league meetings, things can be changed if you get involved and voice your opinions to the proper people.  Good job.
Keep it up.  

Class B takes it in the Shorts Again

The Class B State Tournament schedule still isn’t posted, however, by looking at the Class C schedule, it is apparent that the first two rounds of Class B games will be held Thursday and Friday night August 23^rd and 24^th.  It is a shame that after competing in Section and Super-Section tournaments the EIGHT teams making the State Tournament will have to play on week nights making it mandatory to miss work or not play in the game. 

For years the State Board has been trying to eliminate Thursday night and Sunday night games to accommodate players and fans alike.  In fact, last year the B group voted overwhelmingly to play all of their first round games on Saturday at Hutchinson.  That made it so no one had to take off work during the week to play.  It also made it a fun day for the fans in that they could go to one site and watch all of the B teams play. 

This year, even though the games are on fields separated only by a parking lot, the games will be played simultaneously meaning a fan can’t see all of the B teams play. 

When there were 16 teams in the Class B tournament, it was fine to play either Thursday (although that day has always been a terrible one to play on) or Friday because that was the only game played during the week.  Now, the first two rounds will be played on week nights.  That shouldn’t happen when you are down to the eight best teams in the State.

The State Board took control over Class B this year.  Last year they basically approved the formats set up by the B group.  The only real decision the Board made was seeding the State Tournament.  This year they haven’t done B any favors.  It seems that they are catering to their ill-advised 48 team Class C tournament.  I don’t mean to downplay Class C in any way (in fact, the Class C tournament is great fun to watch) however, basing State Tournament berths on whether or not your Region draws more attendance is against every thing a competitive person has ever believed.  Competition is the key in athletics, not attendance. 

The Board was working to increase the number of games at the third site the last few years of the tournament (it was even big in the bidding), but now has decided to eliminate all games except in an emergency for the third site.  It seems like a real shame to have a great park like Cold Spring’s just sitting there when all four of the first round games could be played there on Saturday, eliminating the Thursday night and Friday night games.   

Here are the a few questions I have concerning the Class B process:

1)  What criteria is being used to seed the Super Sections and State Tournament?

2)  Who are the Super Section Commissioners?

3)  What are the Super Section rules—Home team etc.

4)  How is the money split? 

5)  Does the host team (if playing) get a game share?

6)  Are the rules readily available to players and managers?

7)  Why would the C State Tournament and the B Super Sections be played at the same time?  Why compete against each other? 

8)  How much time has been spent planning the B Super Sections and State Tournament?

These are just a few of the questions that I have.  Last year these were all taken care of by the Class B group headed by Jim Johnson.  Time is getting short.  What is the Board doing to make sure things run smoothly again?  Please don’t let Class B be an afterthought.