The current system is prefectly fine. Just look at the recent success of Beechwood. Their a 1A school in football and are doing a fine job in baseball. Boyd County over the years has always suited up a good baseball program. Why fix it? In the state of Kentucky they have the "21 rule." You can only have 21 players on the roster come playoff time anyways. Im sure schools in this state can field a 21 man roster.

 

Splitting baseball into classes would be to much of a waste and hassle for the KHSAA. I doubt the KHSAA would even bother turning this into an ordeal like they did with football. Even though baseball in this state probably provides more Division 1A athletes than football. Now thats another argument!

 

 

How interesting that you conveniently leave out more telling statistics. Last year's state finals had 1 1A school in it. all the rest were 3A and 4A. Take a look at the past winners. With very few exceptions, they are all 3A and 4A schools. Take a look at the state tourney participants year in and year out. The percentage is somewhere in the 90% range as to 3A and 4A. Tell me again about the "level playing field." Oh yes, and the "21 rule." I'm lucky to have 21 kids to put on our varsity roster.

How interesting that you conveniently leave out more telling statistics. Last year's state finals had 1 1A school in it. all the rest were 3A and 4A. Take a look at the past winners. With very few exceptions, they are all 3A and 4A schools. Take a look at the state tourney participants year in and year out. The percentage is somewhere in the 90% range as to 3A and 4A. Tell me again about the "level playing field." Oh yes, and the "21 rule." I'm lucky to have 21 kids to put on our varsity roster.

Here Here. tell it like it is my man.:thumb:

There are a lot of 1A schools and 2A schools that no matter if they were classed or not would never be able to compete for a state title. The same can be said for 3A, 4A and so on. It all comes down to the number of atheletes in the school not the total enrollment. Take Pineville for example,1A, who could they have a chance at beating for a state title or even getting to the title game. Middlesboro, 2A, almost year in and year out are in the mix for making it to the state tournament. That community just has a lot of atheletes. not numbers. Knox Central is another example, 3A, they can't compete with the 3A schools in Lexington and Louisville. Leave it the way it is. That way the best team in the state, for that YEAR is the state champion regardless of the size of the school. If I was going to be called the state champ, I would not want an astrict beside it saying 1A, 2A, 3A,4A,(Roger Marris died never knowing) Iwould know that my team was the BEST in the STATE.

It will be a topic, that if pursued by more Coaches and Athletic Directors, that the KHSAA would have to strongly consider.

 

With the success of the All A, it would lead one to believe it could certainly be done in all Classes. I've stated before, compelling arguments on both sides and they key to small school success, must begin in youth programs, off-season and summer baseball. Learning fundamentals of playing the game, will carry talent over athleticism, most of the time.

 

Small schools most noticeably have a disadvantage, in number of student-athletes to choose from. It certainly can be overcame in some years but not on a consistent basis, unless a strong feeder/youth program is in place.

 

Some days I for it, while others I like it the way it is. I was fortunate enough, to come from a small school and be a part of 2 state tournament teams. I've seen several excellent pitchers, in the last 2-5 years from A and AA schools, which can often keep their team in the game, while several AAA and AAAA have excellent pitchers and even, more depth.

 

Until some Coach, School or Athletic Director pushes the issue, the current format will remain. I've got a format, of 4 teams from each Class and have them participate at one Tournament....which would last only 1 day longer and not burden any volunteers.....

If a fair tournament system could be done, then I would be all for it.

Leave it alone. They keep watering down the title of state champs in other sports. If your the champ you should want to win against the best teams out there. Last year Beechwood had every chance to stand at the top. It wasn"t that they had less talent than anyone in the state. They just lost the last game. It wasn't a pounding, it was just a loss. People just can't except lossing. It's part of life. Get use to it. What's next, classes for student grading so everybody gets straight A's? That way the small schools with less students will be able to better compete in spelling b's. I'm sure that will stop certain schools from recruiting smart kids. Blah Blah Blah

The way baseball is right now is perfectly fine and I would hate to see it be broken down. I personally believe that football is the only sport that should be put into classes.

I know of a Single A school that has won about 10 games in the last 5 years combined that will have 45+ coming out for tryouts on Feb. 15. The system is fine, and for all of the A schools, that is why you have the All A Classic.

You are always going to have people upset and wanting to make excuses. For example, if you pair up the 3A with 4A and 1A with 2A, then the 3A and 1A schools will be mad that they are bumped up in class. If each class has its own champion, then the smaller schools in that class will say that they had an unfair disadvantage because they are a smaller school in that class. I think more than anything it has to do with the excitement in the program within that school. And it is the coaches job to get the excitement out and turnout the numbers for the tryouts and for the team. Also, numbers don't always mean championships. I can remember at Harrison we sometimes wouldn't even cut anyone at tryouts because we didn't always have a lot of kids tryout, so it isn't like the cup is running over at some of the 3A and 4A schools.

How about a compromise??? Break it up to classes like football was before the split into six classes - keep it four classes. Then have a state champion for each one. Then play a Super Championship between the four winners. This way you have state champs and a super champ. Odds are the 4A and 3A schools will win the Super Championship but at least 1A and 2A have a chance at a state championship.

 

Also play the Super Championship as a best of 3 series.

How about a compromise??? Break it up to classes like football was before the split into six classes - keep it four classes. Then have a state champion for each one. Then play a Super Championship between the four winners. This way you have state champs and a super champ. Odds are the 4A and 3A schools will win the Super Championship but at least 1A and 2A have a chance at a state championship.

 

Also play the Super Championship as a best of 3 series.

Thats not a horrible idea, alot better idea than into classes and having 4 champions.

For the 100th time, you can't have classes AND have a playoff at the end. It doesn't work that way.

For the 100th time, you can't have classes AND have a playoff at the end. It doesn't work that way.

 

Are you referring to my compromise? Are you talking about a specific rule or something? If we can break the state into classifications then we can have another tournament at the end. :ylsuper:

I just continue to be amazed at the sheer number of rational people on here who just simply don't get it. Pure logic tells you that a school with 345 TOTAL kids has a near zero mathematical chance of winning in a tournament style format versus a school with an enrollment that exceeds 1500, 1800, or even 2,000 kids. That is just simple LOGIC. Yes, there are absolutely anomolies. Although everyone's favorite example, Beechwood, is hardly a good example of a small public school. Beechwood is exceptional in virtually every way in comparison to a Dayton, a Silver Grove or an Augusta. (That is a compliment Beechie fans not a shot). The "one true champion" idea is a joke as well. Champion of Kentucky. Well, does that satisfy you? State lines are arbitrary limitations so why not play a series between Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee? But that doesn'r produce a TRUE champion from the region does it? Maybe we better include Virginia, Indiana and Illinois. My point here is simple. Championships are merely defined by the limits we put on them. They have no more or less merit by redefining them than they had before. "Watering down" is just your perception and an excuse to "stay the same," which in my mind and the minds of many others I speak with, an inadequate reason to not make positive change. Placing the clear ills of an unfair SYSTEM at the feet of coaches is also a sad ploy. Most coaches do a pretty good job of motivating their kids in the respective programs yet they also realize that there are inherent limitations that they will never be able to overcome. Money, facilities, and numbers quickly come to mind.

 

And as a small side note. I love how some of the very same people who so quickly point to the All-A as the answer for small schools are the very same people who almost as quickly piint out that it IS NOT a state championship. Interesting isn't it.

I just continue to be amazed at the sheer number of rational people on here who just simply don't get it. Pure logic tells you that a school with 345 TOTAL kids has a near zero mathematical chance of winning in a tournament style format versus a school with an enrollment that exceeds 1500, 1800, or even 2,000 kids. That is just simple LOGIC. Yes, there are absolutely anomolies. Although everyone's favorite example, Beechwood, is hardly a good example of a small public school. Beechwood is exceptional in virtually every way in comparison to a Dayton, a Silver Grove or an Augusta. (That is a compliment Beechie fans not a shot). The "one true champion" idea is a joke as well. Champion of Kentucky. Well, does that satisfy you? State lines are arbitrary limitations so why not play a series between Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Tennessee? But that doesn'r produce a TRUE champion from the region does it? Maybe we better include Virginia, Indiana and Illinois. My point here is simple. Championships are merely defined by the limits we put on them. They have no more or less merit by redefining them than they had before. "Watering down" is just your perception and an excuse to "stay the same," which in my mind and the minds of many others I speak with, an inadequate reason to not make positive change. Placing the clear ills of an unfair SYSTEM at the feet of coaches is also a sad ploy. Most coaches do a pretty good job of motivating their kids in the respective programs yet they also realize that there are inherent limitations that they will never be able to overcome. Money, facilities, and numbers quickly come to mind.

 

And as a small side note. I love how some of the very same people who so quickly point to the All-A as the answer for small schools are the very same people who almost as quickly piint out that it IS NOT a state championship. Interesting isn't it.

 

You are so right Bulldogg77. I don't even know why we have a tournament at the end of the season. Everyone should just play for fun. Every player should get a snow cone after every game. Heck, while we're at it I think everyone should get a participation trophey to take home with them at the end of the season.

 

Hey! I've got a better idea how about we give every player a CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY. Yea, That's it! Even those kids at the beginning of the season who tried out for the team and got cut. They shouldn't be left out. They're entitled. We don't want them to have their feelings hurt for the whole summer.

You are so right Bulldogg77. I don't even know why we have a tournament at the end of the season. Everyone should just play for fun. Every player should get a snow cone after every game. Heck, while we're at it I think everyone should get a participation trophey to take home with them at the end of the season.

 

Hey! I've got a better idea how about we give every player a CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY. Yea, That's it! Even those kids at the beginning of the season who tried out for the team and got cut. They shouldn't be left out. They're entitled. We don't want them to have their feelings hurt for the whole summer.

 

I'm assuming, Birdie, that you are consistent in your feelings and think there should be one class for football, correct?