Playoff Brackets

Can someone explain the logic behind the split conference playoff berths? I will use the 3A West for the discussion:

North Piedmont:
8 teams w/ 3 4A schools and 5 3A schools. They get 4 3A berths. (5 eligible teams, 4 spots)

Northwestern:
8 teams w/ 2 4A schools and 6 3A schools. They get 4 3A berths. (6 eligible teams, 4 spots)

Big South:
8 teams w/ 3 4A schools and 5 3A schools. They get 4 3A berths. (5 eligible teams, 4 spots)

Southern Carolina:
6 3A teams and they only get 3 spots. (6 eligible teams, 3 spots)

I know the half + 1 rule but I don't understand the logic / common sense of the rule. How can someone logically explain that one conference with 5 eligible teams gets 4 berths where a conference with 6 eligible teams gets only 3 berths.

What is the logic of the half + 1 in a split conference but not in an even numbered non - split conference?

Am I missing something?

 

I see it too

I see it too.. The SCC has 5 teams that could likely go deep in the playoffs and only 3 get to go.

 

Brackets Announced

2014 Softball Brackets Are Now Final (As of 1:54pm) | North Carolina High School Athletic Association

 

Idea's?? anyone

I'll go 1st...Here maybe something to start with.....

The state tourneys 1a-4a will still be 64 teams as they are now............
1st... the automatics. Only 1st and 2nd place teams will get automatic bids. If your conference tourney champ is other than the 1st or 2nd place teams, they get the 2nd automatic. 2nd place is out for the time being. Now, using some type of ratings system. Closer to an RPI type thing, strenght of schedule. I'm not sure how that will totally work. But this is just an idea.. so hang on.
2nd...Then will have what you call "At large teams"... 2nd place teams that got knocked out in their conf tourney get in as the 1st group of at-larges.
3rd... Now for the rest of the other at-large teams, will get in on their record. Here is where the RPI really comes in. ALL SB teams in NC will have a RPI. The 2nd group of At-large teams will need to play more equal to or better competition. I personally think all teams should play good competition. A team will not be able to play a lot of "cupcake" teams so to speak, just to rack up a lot of wins and get in. It will make more coaches schedule tougher competition and make most if not all coaches use Maxpreps or something like that to keep up schedule, stats and team info.
If a team plays for a lot of "cupcake" wins type of schools that have low ratings and is eg..18-6 and finishes 3rd in the conf VS a school that is 14-10 and is 4th or 5th in their conf and plays other schools that are normally 1st or 2nd in their respective conference w high RPI...The 14-10 school will have higher "RPI" so to speak... The 14-10 team will get to go and the 18-6 will stay at home. I'll bet the tourney will be a stronger more competitive tourney. Similar to college basketball. MAY MADNESS. It might not be perfect, but maybe better. Remember this just an idea. Anybody else want to throw one out here......

 

I think the only problem inherent in this, just as I do at the college level, is that a school has no way of making a better conference. What if you have a team that can go out and bust on those big teams, but because of the lack of competition in their own conference, do not get a playoff bid? You have to compensate for this in some manner.



Example: Harnett Central teams of 2006 and 2007. They could beat any of the big dogs out there. But my, oh my, did they have next to 0 competition in their conference.

 

West Stanly beat South Stokes last night with a walk off Grand Slam
They were down 8-6 to start bottom of 7th won 10-8