2006 STATE PLAYOFF DISCUSSION FORUM

Not really a big deal. I just like the idea of group of girls who've been together awhile making something of themselves without transfers, etc. Not knocking pitcher or anyone else. As far as the whole group, we had a fine experience down there on two different days. Coaches, players and fans were first class all the way. Commend the coaches for working out all the pieces to the puzzle to come up with the best team. I think you are supposed to do that if you really want to win at that level. Of course, it was a no brainer as to whom pitched. Don't know how we'd react if a Cat Osterman dropped out of nowhere into our program. Reckon we'd do the same thing - you wouldn't have much choice. But, I know to get to final four and succeed, you've got to play the best players at key positions and not worry about politics. You're just kidding yourself if you don't.

 

BALANCE is the key...balance.

they work hand in hand......pitching and hitting you know!

 

N Pitt

Faith and her family are 1st class. I have not seen a more composed pitcher in a long time. If anyone knows anything at all about N. Pitt knows you don't move there for sports. She decided to return to public school and that was the school she would have been attending if she had never gone to private school. There coaches get more out of their players than any team around. They had one starter on Saturday that had never played softball until this year.

 

NP

A great example of a few TB players & other non-TB players meshing together as a TEAM to accomplish a goal.

 

poll vs. actual

interesting to look at the final reg. season poll compared to the champs & runnersup, etc. in the final four at walnut Creek. some irregularities if you look closely.

http://www.ncfastpitch.org/polls-ncfpca.htm

 

East Ignored for good reason

1A & 2A champs from the east not even in either top 10. Just illustrates the failure of coaches "east of Raleigh" to be involved. Also points out how polls of this type really mean very little. Same with the NFCA national HS poll.

 

Same with NCAA Basketball Poll... Or any poll... Right Dookie

 

3A

also the 3A runnerup Harnett Central (lost 1-0 to KM) was not in top 10.

 

Actually softball poll is much worse

Most voters have seen other basketball teams play (television) and there are intersectional games (Duke vs Texas) so there is some semi-valid basis for comparison. In HS softball virtually no one voting has seen more than few teams play and few teams from one part of the state (or nation) play against teams from other areas. Thus polls are based more on reputation (Central Cabarrus). Anyone who knew anything about Faith Sutton would have had to of known that you could put her on virtually ANY 2A team in NC and at least be a top ten team yet N Pitt didn't even receive votes!

 

Poll

Coaches had to report scores to ncfastpitch to get votes. They would probably have been ranked if they had done this. I know NP did not want to report scores. They wanted to remain under the radar.