[JackRabbitSlim]

This is really the first year I have kept up with softball and whenever I seen the brackets for the State Tournament I about died. There is no way you can make a team play three times on one day in 95 degree heat. There is no way a pitcher can do that, regardless of how good they are. I don't understand why they don't have the same set up as the boys? Why can't they have a sectional tournament, narrow it down to 8, and then have a single elimination tournament? Anything else just seems stupid. This is a simple example of a revenue hungry system trying to sqeeze out a few more bucks from 8 other teams. I guess in baseball they make enough of admission and sales at Applebees Park to where they don't have to do this, but they still do similar things. They are making the farthest teams play in the morning because they think they will bring a less crowd. Greenup will bring a lot of people, and i think they screwed both teams by doing this.

[Batpuff]

Well LC played at 10 am and didnt get done until like 12 something and then only had about an hour off and had to play game two and that wasnt over with until around 4 and then had about another hour off and played again. And I was just using LC as an example the rest were the same as well.

[StrikeoutKing]

Well LC played at 10 am and didnt get done until like 12 something and then only had about an hour off and had to play game two and that wasnt over with until around 4 and then had about another hour off and played again. And I was just using LC as an example the rest were the same as well.

That's ridiculous! College is somewhat similar though. If a team down 1-0 in a 3-game series wins, they turn right around and play again. I realize girls can pitch however many innings they want without damaging their arms, but as far as the other players and the heat they must endure (especially catchers), it's crazy! I agree with making it similar to the boys' setup! Playign 3 games in one day with only an hour or so between two of them is just ridiculous!

[Batpuff]

Yea that was just day one. Day two is almost just as bad.

[Panther Thunder]

I was reading the scores and like, good God they've played 99 games.

[thecavemaster]

Greenwood played five games (stayed in winner's bracket) to win the title, while North Laurel played six games (got in loser's bracket) to finish 2nd. The tournament is set up to grind the teams in the loser's bracket, while still giving a team who gets upset a chance to battle out and prove their superiority. Fast pitch softball moves much more quickly than baseball. The format is tough, but I think the best overall team often wins as a result of the set up because the pitchers tend to tire a little, resulting in overall team strength in all types of areas growing in importance. The young women who catch do pay the highest price when it's this hot.

[Over The Fence]

Most serious softball players play travel ball. If you look at a typical tournament, it's two pool games plus the double elimination so the girls are accostomed to playing multiple games. The catcher does take most of the brunt, but generally is isn't unbearable. The only thing unbearable at this state tournament was the condition of the fields. The temp was 95 and the winds were about 20 mph. The field crew didn't water the infields at all on Friday. There were several times the umps had to stop the games because of the dust. If a ball went in the dirt, the catchers had a difficult time picking it up. For a state championship tournament, the fields were a joke.

[fastpitchgal]

oh yes, the dust was absolutely horrible! and the players knew it. i saw numerous teams using it to their advantage. they would slide on every base even when there was no pressure as to being safe or not and every time a batter would get in the batters box they would stir their feet around just to stir up the dirt to effect the catchers vision. pretty smart, but no one needs to play in those conditions. watering the fields would have taken only a matter a minutes.

[FOX SPORTS]

My thoughts on the State Tourney setup or ANY softball multiple game tourney setup is that it favors the larger schools with more than one pitcher and catcher.
Most larger schools have two or three pitchers and will work alternate catchers.

Small schools with only one superior pitcher and usually only one catcher are at a real disadvantage.

[SVLadiesFan]

My thoughts on the State Tourney setup or ANY softball multiple game tourney setup is that it favors the larger schools with more than one pitcher and catcher.
Most larger schools have two or three pitchers and will work alternate catchers.

Small schools with only one superior pitcher and usually only one catcher are at a real disadvantage.

You are exactly right.

[THE_1_AND_ONLY]

It was very hard on all teams...

[rdog]

The state tourney just demonstrated the KHSAA's lack of respect for the young ladies and their fans! Friday's conditions were atrocious with the dust covering everyone and making it miserable for everyone in attendance. Saturday, they watered the fields and it was very pleasant. However, the format has got to change! We play a double elimination tourney in less than 48 hours while basketball plays it's single elimination tourneys over a four day period. REDICULOUS!!! This should be what Title IX is for.....

[bellcats]

Will KHSAA ever classify softball?

[cougarpride08]

I personally don't like the semi state part of the tournament. I wish it was set up like this. If you win region, then you are put in single elimination game. That way you play harder and don't think about the double elimination part.

[Over The Fence]

Girls softball does not have semi-state like baseball does. It is, however, double elimination, so one loss doesn't mean you're out. The loser's bracket is difficult to overcome. I like having all regional winners take part in the state tournament. The opening ceremony make all teams feel special, not just the big dogs from the big school.

[tripleC10]

They did the best they could.

[bellcats]

Is anyone going to respond to the classifcation of softball? Class A has a tournament, but class AA really doesn't get a break. I understand that it would cause more games, but we have 6 football classes.

[B. Wise]

Is anyone going to respond to the classifcation of softball? Class A has a tournament, but class AA really doesn't get a break. I understand that it would cause more games, but we have 6 football classes.

I will respond to you, Bellcats. Obviously you are a male father of a softball player or a male coach - because if you were otherwise, you would either not have this concern, or you would completely understand the concern because you played girls sports for years and firsthand received this inequitable treatment.

It obviously says a lot about either the KHSAA's (a) opinion of the female gender's superior athletic and mental ability or (b) complete disregard for female athetics altogether. To assume that boy's baseball players cannot compete in more than one game in one day when in the state tournament, but girl's softball players can compete in multiple games in one day, much less 2 is obviously screaming that teenage boys do not have the strength of mind or body to do the latter task while girls do, OR that the KHSAA just doesn't care and wants the girls competition over with as quickly as possible.

Anyone who has ever spent any time as a catcher can tell you that the effort put into one game - much less multiple games in one day - is draining due to the repeated up and down motions not to mention the intense focus applied to each pitch received.

Sorry to burst anyone's bubble with this post, but it had to be said...

Bellcats,
Your daughter or team is lucky to have a coach that even notices this enough to be concerned by it. I promise that you are a rare find!!!

[bellcats]

You are right B. Wise, I am both a father of a player and a coach. I just don't understand how we don't classify softball with all the classification of sports in our state. A big school has an advantage simply by having more pitchers available. I agree there should be an A tournament, but AA schools should also play for a state championship.

[B. Wise]

You are right B. Wise, I am both a father of a player and a coach. I just don't understand how we don't classify softball with all the classification of sports in our state. A big school has an advantage simply by having more pitchers available. I agree there should be an A tournament, but AA schools should also play for a state championship.

Classification of sports creates more playoff and championship games, therefore more money. Spending more money on girls sports - ain't gonna happen anytime soon would be my guess. Think about it - how many schools are fielding softball and/or volleyball to meet Title 9 requirements. Why would the state throw money at a sport that, in the eyes of many, is just there to keep the lawyers off their backs? JMHO - not that I agree - which I don't by the way.

[Over The Fence]

How in depth do you follow fastpitch softball? All major tournaments are set up in the double elimination format with multiple games during one day. The NCAA College World Series is even set up like this, the only exception being in the championship where the final two teams play a best 2 of 3. All spring ball and travel ball tournaments are set up like this. Any baseball player, with the exception of the pitcher can play multiple games in one day. Because the underhand pitch of a softball player is a more natural throw, the pitchers don't have to keep a pitch count. All you have to do to have a successful program is to develop more than one pitcher.

[bellcats]

I follow softball pretty well and agree that 7 players can play multiple games without a great deal of fatigue, but a pitcher and catcher are subjected to alot more stress than the other 7. Why would baseball be any different? The only thing would be that the pitcher would have to be replaced, and would still have to be replaced the following day. I don't have a problem with multiple games as long as all teams have to play the same number. I do have a problem with having one class for overall state championship in softball and having an all A state championship.....with nothing for the AA teams.

[B. Wise]

I follow softball pretty well and agree that 7 players can play multiple games without a great deal of fatigue, but a pitcher and catcher are subjected to alot more stress than the other 7. Why would baseball be any different? The only thing would be that the pitcher would have to be replaced, and would still have to be replaced the following day. I don't have a problem with multiple games as long as all teams have to play the same number. I do have a problem with having one class for overall state championship in softball and having an all A state championship.....with nothing for the AA teams.

Spot on with the analysis of fatigue for the pitcher and catcher - but I would tend to think that the catcher probably has the worse end of the 2. Especially considering how many umpires tend to "use" them as props, balance sticks, and personal slaves. Add to that, the extra weight and heat of the equipment, the constant up and down..., having to calm down their pitchers, the stress of needing good communication with the ump to make sure the pitcher is throwing what the ump is wanting for strikes. Yes - I would say the pitcher and catcher have a bit more on them - mentally and physically.

Classification tournaments should be in place - and no team should be forced to play more than 3 games in one day - I actually think that 2 should be the limit, but the KHSAA realistcally is not going to legislate that because the cost would be prohibitive. My guess is that the whole deal will not occur for that very reason - $$$$$. Well that and the fact that girls sports will always be forced to the back anyway.

[Over The Fence]

The KHSAA only recognizes the overall state champion. The All A champoinship is sponsored by an outside entity. In a double elimination, there is no way all teams can play the same amount of games in one day. That is what gives advantage to the early winners. Even the state champions can't go into their first game lightly. As for fatigue, the biggest problem in high school ball is that a coach trains their players to only play one position. When these girls play serious travel ball and college ball, they are expected to play more than one position. If a catcher can trade games with a thrid baseman, there is no fatigue factor.

[bellcats]

I wouldn't want to play third if was was hot and tired, but understand you point. My point is that whether KHSAA recognizes All A Champions or not, they still get to play it. The 3A schools obviously have more students to build from, and should be at an advantage. With the competition between sports, and a dying interest in sports period it is difficult to have enough players that are committed to one sport. I simply don't understand what possible argument you could have against a classified softball playoff.

[sballgal3]

I wouldn't want to play third if was was hot and tired, but understand you point. My point is that whether KHSAA recognizes All A Champions or not, they still get to play it. The 3A schools obviously have more students to build from, and should be at an advantage. With the competition between sports, and a dying interest in sports period it is difficult to have enough players that are committed to one sport. I simply don't understand what possible argument you could have against a classified softball playoff.

I completely agree. The KSCA has been talking about classifying for the past 5 years and is just now bringing to the KHSAA's attention. Maybe one day Kentucky will get with the program and classify sports like every other state in the country does!

[bellcats]

Well, maybe if we keep talking about classification, it might bounce around so much that KHSAA might think it was their idea in the first place.

[hardcorefielder]

I feel that KHSAA should not classify softball. Most of the girls that play in the state tournament, have played summer/travel ball and in those tournaments there are no classification. Why put it in the state tournament? I feel that if you win state you can really say that you have done something. You just didn't win state in your division, you are the best team in the state. Isn't that what STATE CHAMP means? Classifying just cuts the value of that title because you can't say your the best in the state. you can just say that you are the best out of the schools your size, as a former high school player if i had ever won the state title, i would want to say that i was the best team out of every team in the state of kentucky, not that i was one of the top 6 teams in the state.

[bellcats]

So, from your point of view all the football and running sports champions are watered down and should not be prized? We already have a class A championship and there are 3 classes in Softball. The only ones that are left out are the class 2A schools.

[B. Wise]

So, from your point of view all the football and running sports champions are watered down and should not be prized? We already have a class A championship and there are 3 classes in Softball. The only ones that are left out are the class 2A schools.

I truly did not realize that there were only 3 classes for softball. Does anyone have the stats on the classification of the state champion teams for the last 10 years?

and, Why only 3 classifications for softball anyway?


Bellcats is correct with his argument here. By Hardcorefielder's logic, the football playoffs and championships that everyone on here so enjoyed, were completely pointless. Now, I would like to see that point sold to the KHSAA and the 6 winning teams - or for that matter, the 6 teams that lost. Try telling them that they weren't playing for a state championship.