Major Announcement by NCHSAA concerning Regional Playoffs

well said

I tend to agree with catcoach as far the playing fields go.

I would say, though, my problem with this whole thing, is having one team do all the traveling. If you have two #1's playing each other, why is it right that one stays at home the whole time, while the other has to travel, both, or possibly, all three times. Why not just keep it the way it was? Especially considering the team that got the home field advantage may have only gotten it because their conference had seeding priority.

 

I agree

 

Huh?

Well, hmmm where to start, ok first off no mention was made of playing the Regionals at a "pro" park.
Second, I don't know if you know this but kids ENJOY playing on great fields. Fields that are pristine and without those flaws that could cost them the game...pretty sure they would rather play there than play someplace where the conditions could cost them a chance at their dream of a state championship.
Finally, you might not know this but there is a LOT of money on the line in potential scholarships and even though you may not want to admit it, the kids know about this as well.
You know, they used have the pitching plate 45 feet away and the batter could tell the pitcher where they wanted the ball thrown, does that mean we should go back to that? Neutral sites can cut down on travel, increase revenue and create a great experience FOR THE KIDS.

 

I agree with your travel issue.

Split the state in FOUR regions.
Have a winner from each through the single game elimination 4 rounds.
Bring the 4 regional champions to one site.
Literally "draw" for semifinal opponents.
Play those "semis" Friday evening.
Winner of each plays the next day for finals.
Yes, only one game championship.
No, it's not a series, but nothing we do is until the last two anyway. By that time, a few teams who could win a series are gone already in the current system.

If you continually "squawk" about travel, then you will NEVER get the first rounds made into series format. And yes, I would favor cutting the number of teams in half and making each round a series. I would also favor cutting non-conference games in regular season and playing more conference games and playing those as Thur/Fri/Sat series in regular season. Now that would be really walking the talk.

I would close by saying that for a spot in the regional finals I would gladly drive a rickety activity bus 4 hours to Asheville. If we won, I would load that same bus up and head for Wilmington the next day for a state title try. I ain't that spoiled or that proud. I just want to be there - wherever there may be.

 

agree...

I agree with you coach, great just to play in those games but Amazing to play them somewhere nice . I have done both, played on a team's home field for the right to go to the state championship here in NC and on a neutral field back home where I'm from, both great experiences but i would probably have to lean toward playing on the minor league park's field because of the overall experience...What a great time of year!

 

I like this guy

 

I doubt anyone would "squawk" about traveling for a Regional series. The question is why shouldn't the traveling be shared. Why place the traveling expense and burden on one team's back? No one team earned the right to host over the other team unless they seeded by conference strength. Both teams earned the right to be there and earned the right to host a series game.

As far as fields are concerned, I agree it's the parents and fans that complain, not the players. The players are excited to play in their opponents yard, even if it's in a backyard.

Outside of this new ruling, the biggest complaint I've heard through the years is the Championship games being held in Raleigh or Zebulon each year. Most western team fans must travel 3.5-5 hours to attend the games, whereas most eastern teams travel 45 min to an hour or in Sanderson's case last year, it's in their backyard. The argument is why don't they rotate the games across the state?

 

I think the kids like playing on their home fields as long as they can, but also enjoy playing in the bigger parks. When Hunt had to move their home playoff game to Fleming stadium last week because of wet conditions at Hunt, I'd say both teams appreciated playing in Fleming. Jacksonville may have been ten-runned at Hunt High School if the game had been played there. Several long flys at Fleming would have been home runs at Hunt. Fleming Stadium is in minor league shape, & makes for a good back-up plan for Wilson's High schools. These big parks sorta negate the power game for some schools.

 

I totally agree with rotation. Surely there are enough colleges that would be willing to host. No, it's not a minor league park, but many would work. Well, that said, there are enough minor league parks with Greensboro, Hickory, Winston-Salem. They just need to be willing to clear the first Fri/Sat in June.

Hey, Hickory would be GREAT for the West regional each year. Zebulon for East regional. Charlotte for finals? Anyone???

 

I love it!!!! But it makes too much sense.