May 20, 2014
Tuesday

In response to Burt Hooton's letter: I like it. But can't have an much of an opinion about some of it. So I will talk about the baseball part. In 1991 local Little League went from a pennant race format, 1st half winner plays 2nd half winner best of three games. To what we see today, an all teams welcome tourney to determine a regular season champ. I hated the new format when it was changed, and it seems to have been promoted to the HS level, as a way to determine the best team. I don't blame coaches or players because of this All welcome format. But Please understand this about a SE tourney, just because it looks good for basketball don't make it right for baseball. Five guys start a hoop game, the center does not have to rest his arm the next night. Therefore that center plays every game all season long. That's great for the player.

No offense to anyone but I have grown tired of seeing Coaches from all teams hiding pitchers through the regular season for the sole purpose of showing him to the opponent two months down the road at the SE tourney. OH YES, I get the strategy, but is this best for the player? Is this best for the TEAM? And is this best for the fan base who gets to see their team so few times.

If I were the honcho rule maker... The teams that went to state would be the teams that won the most ball games through the regular season. This would give coaches less choices or involvement in two month strategy and insure that your next game is a very important game.

So Burt, the tourney has rendered the regular season less important. And that my 19 game winner is the problem. The Dodgers win the pennant the dodgers win the pennant. Oh how I prefer a pennant flag race. It's simple - just win baby.

Ken Lewis
Ketchikan, Alaska

Received May 19, 2014 - Published May 20, 2014

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