... isn't the ballpark itself. Applebee's is a great venue and provides a big-time atmosphere for the state tournament.

 

My problem is the way the Legends' management treats the game. More than once, the start of the bottom of the fifth inning was delayed because the video-screen advertising bit and cheesy "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" went on too long, not to mention all the between-innings schtick that is anything but entertaining.

 

Why the Legends' mascot is there, I haven't a clue. Management insisted on announcing the Legends' score on Thursday night as the team tried to clinch a playoff berth, like anyone besides the Legends employees really cared, sometimes interrupting the flow of play.

 

This isn't a Legends game, where half the fans aren't nearly as concerned about who wins and loses as much as they are having a good time. This is the state tournament, where the focus should be on the teams and the game, not the cutesy promotions that can get in the way of the game.

 

My two cents ...

... isn't the ballpark itself. Applebee's is a great venue and provides a big-time atmosphere for the state tournament.

 

My problem is the way the Legends' management treats the game. More than once, the start of the bottom of the fifth inning was delayed because the video-screen advertising bit and cheesy "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" went on too long, not to mention all the between-innings schtick that is anything but entertaining.

 

Why the Legends' mascot is there, I haven't a clue. Management insisted on announcing the Legends' score on Thursday night as the team tried to clinch a playoff berth, like anyone besides the Legends employees really cared, sometimes interrupting the flow of play.

 

This isn't a Legends game, where half the fans aren't nearly as concerned about who wins and loses as much as they are having a good time. This is the state tournament, where the focus should be on the teams and the game, not the cutesy promotions that can get in the way of the game.

 

My two cents ...

 

I understand and appreciate your point of view, but I have to disagree.

 

While all the bells and whistles may be a distraction in your mind, they may make the event seem really "big time and worthy of the state tourny" in the minds of others. It's the Legends home field, so if they want to announce their scores, that's their perogative I guess.

 

In the Sweet 16 players, fans, and coaches have to deal with media timeouts, extended halftimes, on court announcements, awards, and other "festivities". I don't think it detracts from the fact that it's the state tournament.

... isn't the ballpark itself. Applebee's is a great venue and provides a big-time atmosphere for the state tournament.

 

My problem is the way the Legends' management treats the game. More than once, the start of the bottom of the fifth inning was delayed because the video-screen advertising bit and cheesy "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" went on too long, not to mention all the between-innings schtick that is anything but entertaining.

 

Why the Legends' mascot is there, I haven't a clue. Management insisted on announcing the Legends' score on Thursday night as the team tried to clinch a playoff berth, like anyone besides the Legends employees really cared, sometimes interrupting the flow of play.

 

This isn't a Legends game, where half the fans aren't nearly as concerned about who wins and loses as much as they are having a good time. This is the state tournament, where the focus should be on the teams and the game, not the cutesy promotions that can get in the way of the game.

 

My two cents ...

 

If that's the price they have to pay....it's worth it.I've been to the baseball championships (AA and A) in Virginia and it's nowhere near as big time as Applebee's. If you didn't have signs up, you would think it's just another high school baseball game(s). The KHSAA got it right on this one.

I gotta agree that it's worth the lil extras, there was nothing like seeing those big blasts when CJ hit that grandslam last year. Can only imagine how awesome he felt hearing and seeing that display.

Guys, I'm talking about the stuff that intrudes on the game ... the between-inning promotions that delay the start of the next inning, etc.

Guys, I'm talking about the stuff that intrudes on the game ... the between-inning promotions that delay the start of the next inning, etc.

 

I'm with you on this. The games Wednesday night seemed to have a "hurry up and wait" feeling to them. Way too many odd delays. Players seemed to spend half their time between innings with a quizzical look on their face, wondering what the big hold-up was.

I wish they would keep the pitch speed up on the board for longer than a half-second. You had to either watch the board or watch the pitch, but you couldn't do both and catch it! We had a 'rotation' going with the people I was sitting with all week...that way we could stay informed!

Guys, I'm talking about the stuff that intrudes on the game ... the between-inning promotions that delay the start of the next inning, etc.

 

It's horrible. I get the fact that you have to "pay the bills" but we are there to watch a baseball game, not an ice cream sandwich eating contest. It's no wonder why the 8:30 game didn't start before 9:30 either night.

The only problem I had was the price of everything was way to high. Most of the people buying the food are in high school and dont have the money for a 3 dollar pop and 3 dollar pizza. I dont think the basketball tournament prices are this much.

The biggest thing I had a problem with is that they would play music and talk till right before the pitcher was ready to pitch, and then start the "5th inning stretch"...too much of a delay.

Well folks all of that promotional stuff wasn't from the Lexington Legends end.

 

It was from the KHSAA. This comes directly from the KHSAA website:

 

BETWEEN INNINGS

Between innings, the team taking the field, particularly the pitcher, should delay approximately one minute before

leaving the dugout. There are many promotions and other activities surrounding the games, and we don’t want players

warming up and standing waiting for a promotion or activity to end.

 

 

It can also be found on page 7 in the following link:

http://www.khsaa.org/baseball/stateinstructionsforteams.pdf

 

 

 

Now I'm with everyone and saying that they don't necessarily have to be as long as they are, but complain about the folks that are actually doing it instead of the host.

 

As far as them announcing the Legends score...like someone else said before, thats their home field and if they want to announc it then so be it.

Well folks all of that promotional stuff wasn't from the Lexington Legends end.

 

It was from the KHSAA. This comes directly from the KHSAA website:

 

BETWEEN INNINGS

Between innings, the team taking the field, particularly the pitcher, should delay approximately one minute before

leaving the dugout. There are many promotions and other activities surrounding the games, and we don’t want players

warming up and standing waiting for a promotion or activity to end.

 

 

It can also be found on page 7 in the following link:

http://www.khsaa.org/baseball/stateinstructionsforteams.pdf

 

 

 

Now I'm with everyone and saying that they don't necessarily have to be as long as they are, but complain about the folks that are actually doing it instead of the host.

 

As far as them announcing the Legends score...like someone else said before, thats their home field and if they want to announc it then so be it.

 

 

The KHSAA could learn a lot from the Touchstone Energy people on how to run a tournament. The All A quarterfinals were all played on Saturday and the semi-finals and final were both played on Sunday. No unfair advantage was gained by any team.

 

They also know how to keep the game moving. No stupid games between innings. In 2004 these type of between inning activities probably cost Beechwood the game against Trinity. Everyone knew all day that inclement weather would be coming. Instead of trying to move the games along and shorten the time between games they took their own sweet time making sure to get the promotions in. The game was called in the 6th inning due to the weather and the teams were forced to finish the game the following day. The previous evening Chris Curley had Trinity baffled. He of course could not complete the game the next day and Beechwood lost in extra innings.

 

Julian Tackett is the KHSAA official in charge of the baseball tournament. IMO he needs to be replaced!!!

 

It's to the point where the KH$AA is more about money than about treating high school athletes equitably.

The problem with the announcement of the Legends' score wasn't the fact that they did it, but how and when they did it.

 

If they had waited between innings, that would have been fine. Instead, they did it in the middle of an inning, announcing that the Legends had clinched the first-half title and fishing for applause, like anyone really cared. If memory serves, the announcement went on so long that it carried over into the next pitch.

It's to the point where the KH$AA is more about money than about treating high school athletes equitably.

 

You hit the nail on the head with this one.

I guess I'm in the minority on this one. I thought is was an awesome atmoshpere all around. You felt like it was something special with all the great music, video clips, and the promo gags. Ask any player that participated and I would wager that they thought it was a nice atmosphere to compete in.

 

I hope it always stays at Applebee's. IMO