Opening game of regionals can sure prove high risk for those coaches that chose to not "play one game at a time". Aware of several games where the coach went "all in" with holding back his best in anticipation of what he hopes will be a better matchup for his team in second round. Problem is, you've got to win the first to get to the second. Examples???

 

Biggest gambling win was in the 16th where Rowan Co. had previously lost 8-2 and 9-1 to East Carter. RC's ace, Cameron Planck (Louisville signee with a 95+ fastball) was held out for a second round matchup against #1 Greenup Co. Gamble paysoff as RC wins 5-4 with Planck called on for a 17 pitch save. He goes today at 5:30. This all-in gamble by RC coach was borderline insane. Yet he won and has the matchup he wanted.

 

Gambling losses:

Covcath holds out aces and goes with So. Maher with Krump looking for 2nd round matchup against Ryle. Results, major Highlands upset. Covcath aces get extra rest going into summer ball.

 

Ryle holds back Morehead signee Ziegelmeir (sp?) in anticipation of matching him against Covcath in semis. Result, St. Henry wins 4-3 and Ryle ace gets to watch semi matchup of Highlands vs. St. Henry.

 

Some holdbacks can be obvious, like Campbell Co. vs Augusta. Other than the previous examples, anyone got thoughts, examples of all-in winners/losers, pent-up anger needing releasing?

Mason County's coach pulled his ace Williams after the fifth inning at 73 pitches to keep him available for Thursday night. Mason lost the game in the 7th inning.

Opening game of regionals can sure prove high risk for those coaches that chose to not "play one game at a time". Aware of several games where the coach went "all in" with holding back his best in anticipation of what he hopes will be a better matchup for his team in second round. Problem is, you've got to win the first to get to the second. Examples???

 

Biggest gambling win was in the 16th where Rowan Co. had previously lost 8-2 and 9-1 to East Carter. RC's ace, Cameron Planck (Louisville signee with a 95+ fastball) was held out for a second round matchup against #1 Greenup Co. Gamble paysoff as RC wins 5-4 with Planck called on for a 17 pitch save. He goes today at 5:30. This all-in gamble by RC coach was borderline insane. Yet he won and has the matchup he wanted.

 

Gambling losses:

Covcath holds out aces and goes with So. Maher with Krump looking for 2nd round matchup against Ryle. Results, major Highlands upset. Covcath aces get extra rest going into summer ball.

 

Ryle holds back Morehead signee Ziegelmeir (sp?) in anticipation of matching him against Covcath in semis. Result, St. Henry wins 4-3 and Ryle ace gets to watch semi matchup of Highlands vs. St. Henry.

 

Some holdbacks can be obvious, like Campbell Co. vs Augusta. Other than the previous examples, anyone got thoughts, examples of all-in winners/losers, pent-up anger needing releasing?

I don't feel like Rowan Co holding Planck back was that big of a gamble. Rowan has zero chance to beat Greenup without Planck on the mound. In that case, I think the coach made the right decision because what does it matter to play another day with next to no chance to win?

 

The others you referenced were very questionable decisions. Both Cov Cath & Ryle would have a chance to win their semifinal throwing their No. 1's in the first round. It was a decision that sent them packing.

Mason County's coach pulled his ace Williams after the fifth inning at 73 pitches to keep him available for Thursday night. Mason lost the game in the 7th inning.

Certainly there had to be another reason!!!!! Crazy!

Certainly there had to be another reason!!!!! Crazy!

 

Since 75 is the cutoff for only requiring 2 days rest I will assume the reason is to bring him back Thursday.

Interesting decisions for all. I counted 6 more of the top 25 according to PBR losing yesterday to go along with Tates Creek losing in the district so 17 of the 25 are still alive in the round of 64. Losers yesterday were Trinity-3, Madison Central-4, Ryle-6 , Meade Co -10, Fairdale-16, and South Oldham-18. I know Trinity threw their # 1 against Male but Noah Thompson's 6 hit shut out sent Male on to the semifinals. I wonder how many of the other losers were holding back. If any one knows about these games, let us know.

Question: When can you switch a pitcher? Can you switch midway through an inning? Or do you have to wait until the next inning?

Question: When can you switch a pitcher? Can you switch midway through an inning? Or do you have to wait until the next inning?

 

You can switch at anytime. You can pull a pitcher mid batter.

I don't feel like Rowan Co holding Planck back was that big of a gamble. Rowan has zero chance to beat Greenup without Planck on the mound. In that case, I think the coach made the right decision because what does it matter to play another day with next to no chance to win?

 

The others you referenced were very questionable decisions. Both Cov Cath & Ryle would have a chance to win their semifinal throwing their No. 1's in the first round. It was a decision that sent them packing.

 

The Greenup crowd was delighted at the prospects of getting Planck again. They argue they have problems with control junkball pitchers, which was Rowan's #2. They beat Planck earlier this year 12-1, and feel they are more successful against power pitchers, especially those that have problems keeping it in the strike zone. Sounds to me like both Greenup and Rowan got their wish. Still see the RC coach's decision as crazy. Play the game one at a time...IMO.

Since 75 is the cutoff for only requiring 2 days rest I will assume the reason is to bring him back Thursday.

 

Correct, and wasn't this a 0-0 game at the time. Relief did okay in 6th, but surrendered two for the 2-0 loss in the 7th. Got to suspect Coach had mega confidence in relief, or starter was losing it. To pull the starter when the game was so precariously in doubt appears highly questionable.

Since 75 is the cutoff for only requiring 2 days rest I will assume the reason is to bring him back Thursday.

 

What does this mean for us non-baseball folks?

I don't think the HHS win versus CovCath was a major upset at all. Actually if CCH would of beat Raisor that would of been a major upset in my book..CovCath has very average pitching imo so it didn't matter who pitched for them..

What does this mean for us non-baseball folks?

 

It's pitch count/required rest. Under 75 pitches and the pitcher only is required to rest for two days before pitching again. So throw 73 pitches on Monday and you have to rest Tues&Wed and can then pitch again on Thursday. He he had thrown 75 or more he would have had to rest 3 days, meaning he couldn't pitch again until Friday.

I don't think the HHS win versus CovCath was a major upset at all. Actually if CCH would of beat Raisor that would of been a major upset in my book..CovCath has very average pitching imo so it didn't matter who pitched for them..

 

I chuckled when I read "major". It's alright, Birds won and really all that matters. Hopefully pull off another upset tonight! Go Birds!

It just really depends on what your goal is. I agree that you need to make sure you have a game tomorrow before worrying about that game, and saving pitchers is a dangerous road that can put you out of the tournament with your best arm never getting a shot. BUT, if your true and ultimate goal is to win the title, you have to take a long term view, so you at least need to entertain the idea. I would basically throw my #2 if I thought I could, but have a rapid fire hook at the ready if necessary. Locally, South Warren saved their ace pitcher (Hicks), and threw the coach's son (Gage) against Clinton County. He got only a single out and loaded the bases in the first inning. Hicks came in immediately, and shut it down. He threw one more inning before coming out and Gage came back in. He pitched great after that point, and they won 3-2, with Hicks available I believe immediately (depending on pitches thrown), or at most being available for the finals should they advance. If you believe your #2 is good enough to win, especially if the team you're going against is clearly inferior, I think you go for it if you believe you have to have your #1 for the semis.

 

BTW, as for the Highlands example, I really don't understand several parts of that. For starters, Highlands won 2 of 3 matchups this year, so.. upset? Not really. Two, it doesn't matter who you throw if you put up a goose egg on the board, which is what they did. Clayton Kershaw could've been throwing and you won't win if you don't score.