[Johnny Bench]

Although Pikeville and Middlesboro haven't won an All A state title yet doesn't really fold well into the argument. While the teams compete hard and try their best to win it, it is almost irrelevant - heck it has even been talked about being canceled because of bad weather before. If Middlesboro has to play an All A state semi, and then play a district game against Harlan Co. the next day, they aren't go to go all out in that game like they would if their season depended on it. Heck, they may not even throw their best pitcher. Same goes for Pikeville if they had a district foe that challenged them in a seeded district and made it hard to reach the region. Who's to say if that A class state championship was played at the end (and you would likely take out much of the field that plays in it now because many would be AA), then things could be much different.

But the biggest point is that these teams would benefit from the class system, but maybe not a great deal more. However, your teams like Corbin & South Laurel may each respectively make their state class final 4 and one may even win it. Then your teams like Belfry and Sheldon Clark may also advance far in the state tourney in their respective classes. Then instead of JC, Pikeville, Paintsville, or LC advancing to the sweet 16 every single year, you may have 4-5 teams in the 15th region advancing far in the state. Then those areas see the success and more kids want to compete which only makes them better. More teams would have a chance to compete at the state level and potentially reach Applebee's Park (or Whitaker Bank Park). Imagine a four class system playing all playing the final four at Whitaker Bank Park. Potentially there could be a Pikeville, Belfry, Johnson Central all represented. There could also be a Powell Co, Perry Central, Hazard, or Knott representation. Imagine a class A team like Williamsburg and Middlesboro competing to advance to the state tournament.

I like the single winner system. As a baseball player and fan, it would be sweet to win the whole thing, but I think a class system may be what's best for the sport as far as support and popularity.