Danville finished second in the American Legion state tournament, losing to Paducah in the finals, and earned a spot in the Mid-South Regional, which begins Thursday in Paducah.

 

It was reported in the Paducah Sun today that Danville decided not to play in the regional tournament, so third-place Bowling Green will take their spot.

 

Just curious ... why did Danville turn it down?

It could be because high school and colleges are are ready starting and hard for some players to make time to play . Danville had a very good team . They could've made some noise in regional.

That would seem like a flimsy excuse ... they knew all along that the regional was this week.

 

Would they have turned it down if they had won the state title?

Any football players involved? Could Sam Harp want them back in time to get practices in before next week's opener?

That would seem like a flimsy excuse ... they knew all along that the regional was this week.

 

Would they have turned it down if they had won the state title?

I am sure that college beginning was going to be a big factor involving any team still left. Just about all kids that are involved in the Kentucky state universities baseball programs are to report this week, so those players are now the under the thumb of their college coaches. It was told during the tournament that Danville would not go to the regionals unless they were the state champs. Dont know the reason why, but that was what some Danville people were stating last week. I am sure there are people that post on this board that could go much deeper in detail that I can give.

 

Also FWIW, Ashland almost became the other representative instead of Bowling Geen. I am not sure of all the details on that as well, because something was evidently worked out at the last minute, but it was going to be a strong possibility a couple of days ago that Ashland would be heading to Paducah.

We all love baseball but sometimes a student athlete has to be a student.

 

Education in this case came first. Applause to priorities in the right place.

With schools starting early now , the legion should change the dates that it has tournaments . Just isn't practical to hold games this late in year. The Jr. state started a lot earlier than the 18's and would've made it easier for the older players if theirs was earlier also.

Danville would probably been without Witten and Cooper as pitchers. Their coach talked to all the players right after the game Sunday with Paducah and he knew that the majority of the team would not be able to play. So why would anyone go into a tournament of this caliber with all of his players. They had a great season and I think the players would have loved to palyed this week, but not having the best team to put on the field would have been nonsense. When you start the season out with 1 win and 6 losses and end the year with 41 wins and 13 losses, you would want to put the best team on the field that you have.

Welcome to BGP Wild Thing and stop by the New Member forum...

 

http://www.bluegrasspreps.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=34

So Paducah and Bowling Green don't have school starting soon?

 

I agree with Wild Thing that academics need to come first but school is getting crazy with how early it's starting.

 

Academics need to come first but you also need time for summer baseball and preseason football practice.

Paducah has an advantage in that their players still in high school (just a handful) can be in class during the day.

We all love baseball but sometimes a student athlete has to be a student.

 

Education in this case came first. Applause to priorities in the right place.

:thumb: Excellent post.

Also Welcome to BGP.

So Paducah and Bowling Green don't have school starting soon?

 

I agree with Wild Thing that academics need to come first but school is getting crazy with how early it's starting.

 

Academics need to come first but you also need time for summer baseball and preseason football practice.

 

For players playing summer baseball, summer baseball stops when they have to report to school/college. From all the information I have, players from the Danville team were going to have to report to school and would not be able to play.

That would seem like a flimsy excuse ... they knew all along that the regional was this week.

 

Would they have turned it down if they had won the state title?

 

Does anyone think that it is the sportsmanlike thing to do, if the team is going to be limited by players not being able to play in the Regional tournament, and not able to field the same calibre team that got them to this point, respectfully decline the bid and let the #3 team play in the Region???

With schools starting early now , the legion should change the dates that it has tournaments . Just isn't practical to hold games this late in year. The Jr. state started a lot earlier than the 18's and would've made it easier for the older players if theirs was earlier also.

Absolutely. It needs to be at least two weeks sooner.