In haven't heard that, but I think it is starting to get some traction and at the very least some conversation. Here is a link to a really good article that looks like one of the ideas above Bidwell's Blog: It's time to classify (some) KHSAA sports - WPSD Local 6: Your news, weather, and sports authority

I agree with maysvilleky....not enough quality teams in KY for splitting it up.

Under the current "1 team per Region" format, not even all the teams at State are on the same level, while other viable teams sit home.

 

All fun to speculate, but we all know there's about a 0.01% chance of any of it transpiring.

Don't see it happening.

It's amazing they can have 6 classes for football. Can't even get 3 for softball.

It's amazing they can have 6 classes for football. Can't even get 3 for softball.

 

You have to actually care about softball; Julian doesn't.

It's amazing they can have 6 classes for football. Can't even get 3 for softball.

 

6 classes does not necessarily make football better, but you have to understand the significant difference in numbers playing the game. Participation numbers make classification viable, softball just doesn't have it.

 

You have to actually care about softball; Julian doesn't.

 

This is a huge understatement, but let's remember that $$$ make the world go 'round and more importantly pay the salaries....when you are the king, you keep your fiefdom in line or you get dethroned...

You have to actually care about softball; Julian doesn't.

 

If he doesn't, why won't he just get some folks that do (BGP would be a good place to start) and ask them for opinions and formats that is more amicable for the true softball crowd?

If he doesn't, why won't he just get some folks that do (BGP would be a good place to start) and ask them for opinions and formats that is more amicable for the true softball crowd?

 

Which part of not caring about softball did you not understand? :idunno:

6 classes does not necessarily make football better, but you have to understand the significant difference in numbers playing the game. Participation numbers make classification viable, softball just doesn't have it.

 

When you say participation, do you mean the total number of girls playing, or the total number of teams??

I don't see an advantage of doing that for softball. There isn't really enough quality teams as it is. If you classify, you'll only have 3 - 4 truly good teams in each classification. IMO you play it as Sectionals until you get a final 4 and those 4 teams can play a double elimination.

 

I hear what you're saying about the number of quality teams, but really that can be said about any of the sports that go by classes. Until there are classes, you don't know who qualifies as "good" within that class. Yes, you can get a pretty good idea who may dominate it for awhile, but it could start to even out once the smaller teams realize they don't have to compete with the large schools. When you only have to compete against the schools your size, there may be a little more motivation to drive success. Teams that aren't identified as powerhouses now (because they are all lumped into one) could potentially become and annual contender under classes. Classes aren't there to identify powerhouses and really good teams. Classes set the stage for "like" schools to be able to compete with each other...regardless how good the softball is in that class.

 

Let me give you an example. In football we think of a lot of powerhouses. Mayfield, Beechwood, NCC, Highlands, Boyle Co, Lex Cath, BG, Central, Desales. If there were no classes, how many of those would we consider powerhouses in football? Some maybe still. Some may have an upset from time to time. But my guess is that most wouldn't be considered powerhouses in KY football every year. Some of them became powerhouses because they dominate the class they are in.

 

I coach softball. I don't really care which way they go. I personally like one champion because if you win, you know you were the best that year. I also always want to compete against the best. That's why I don't like the All A. But I could see how classes can help give others a more reasonable or equal chance. I'm just not sure if I like that or not.

Yes to both

If he doesn't, why won't he just get some folks that do (BGP would be a good place to start) and ask them for opinions and formats that is more amicable for the true softball crowd?

 

....because he doesn't care, because there is no $$$$ involved

6 classes does not necessarily make football better, but you have to understand the significant difference in numbers playing the game. Participation numbers make classification viable, softball just doesn't have it.

 

 

 

This is a huge understatement, but let's remember that $$$ make the world go 'round and more importantly pay the salaries....when you are the king, you keep your fiefdom in line or you get dethroned...

 

Your right 6 classes doesn't make the football system better. But, there are more schools participating in softball than football, 266 teams compared to 219 teams. The large schools have a major advantage that most of their athletes specialize in certain sports. The small school athlete more often than not play multiple sports with coaches competing for off season time. The small Cinderella story is pretty much a thing of the past. Putting teams on a level playing field is the right thing to do. The dollars would be the same or better and there would only be a few extra travel miles to re-classify. I love the sweet sixteen in basketball. But it's time for change in other sports.

Your right 6 classes doesn't make the football system better. But, there are more schools participating in softball than football, 266 teams compared to 219 teams. The large schools have a major advantage that most of their athletes specialize in certain sports. The small school athlete more often than not play multiple sports with coaches competing for off season time. The small Cinderella story is pretty much a thing of the past. Putting teams on a level playing field is the right thing to do. The dollars would be the same or better and there would only be a few extra travel miles to re-classify. I love the sweet sixteen in basketball. But it's time for change in other sports.

 

Good points! In the larger school, the kids that specialize push the "all around" athletes (that smaller schools rely on) out of the sport. And the coach's competition for time is real in the smaller schools. When you have a school that has access to their kids year round because that's all they play vs a smaller school where most of the athletes play multiple sports, that makes a big difference on the field.

In MY perfect world, there would be 4 "areas" of 4 regions...(1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16)

Each Region would have 2 seeded teams in an 8 team Area Tournament.

Then each Area would send top two seeded teams to State Tournament.

All single elimination, 8 team brackets.

Regions and Areas over 2 days. State over 3 days.

 

Terrible idea, you realize 3 of the top 4 teams in this years tourney was McCracken (1st Region), Madisonville North Hopkins (2nd Region) and Daviess County (3rd Region). The best softball is played in the western part of this state. What makes the Kentucky State Tourney so exciting, to use the Big XII slogan, "We have one TRUE champion!"