el gato

I absolutely hate that this happened to JC and more importantly to this girl. I am happy however that something has happened to bring to light what I feel has been a huge problem for years. The way the KHSAA crams this tournament into 48 hours on four fields not suited for fastpitch softball while having the baseball tournament at a first class facility over six days is a slap in the face to the sport. And for the KHSAA to put out a statement saying that the field/tempory fence played no factor in the erroneous call is just plain wrong. When a ball goes over a 6' permanent fence, there's no question between a HR and a ground rule double. I would love to see the state tournament played on a college field, but it would require a change in format. The current 16 team double elimination format requires too many games to be played on a single field. That's why the state tournament is played at parks with four fields. I wouldn't mind seeing high school mimick the college setup with region winners meeting in a best 2 of 3 series (super regional) with eight teams advancing to the state tournament, played like the college World Series. Getting to the state tournament should be a special experience. The current format gives you the feeling...."let's hurry up and get this thing over with". That's not what a state tournament experience should feel like.

It was reported on Twitter that an announcement would be made today at 5:00.

Wow, from borderline legendary former college coach that takes you to the Sweet 16, to an accomplished high school coach that goes 29-3, to a young assistant with zero head coaching experience all in a 3 year span? This whole situation is a head scratcher.

Bourbon does not play the favorite's role well. Three straight years.

Runner at second, both corners charged, SS went to cover third, second baseman went to cover first, ball was bunted hard past/between pitcher and first baseman, runner never slowed down rounding first as no one was covering 2B.

I'd say two base error at a minimum. I've seen a legit bunt double in softball but can't possibly fathom a bunt home run.

She came back late in the year, pitched against GRC in district.

Unless they are doing it differently this year, the awards won't be given out until all-star weekend, but the all-state teams will be announced to media right after the state tournament.

I agree with this prediction, and if so, would be at least the 12th time in last 17 years we've had an all 40th district final. Would also mean the 10th region champ has come from the 40th district 17 times in the 20 year history of fastpitch. Only exceptions being Harrison in 1995, Brossart in 2002, and Nicholas in 2012.

I would love to see the state tournament played on a college field, but it would require a change in format. The current 16 team double elimination format requires too many games to be played on a single field. That's why the state tournament is played at parks with four fields. I wouldn't mind seeing high school mimick the college setup with region winners meeting in a best 2 of 3 series (super regional) with eight teams advancing to the state tournament, played like the college World Series.

Opening Round 1 - Hopkinsville 1 - Trinity 1 - Scott Co. 1 - Johnson Central 1 - Wayne Co. 1 - Knott Co. Central 1 - PRP 1 - Cov Cath Quarter-finals 2 - Hopkinsville 2 - Scott Co. 2 - Wayne Co. 2 - Cov Cath Semi-finals 3 - Scott Co. 3 - Wayne Co. 2014 Sweet 16 State Champion 5 - Wayne Co. Tiebreaker - 137

Here's how it works....any coach that is a member of the KSCA can nominate juniors or seniors for the all-stars. All nominees are put on to four separate lists (East Sr., East Jr., West Sr., West Jr.) showing primary position or positions and any stats that their coach may have provided. Two committees are formed, one for the west and one for the east, consisting primarily of current coaches. The East committee meets to select the two East All-Star teams and the West committee meets to select the two West All-Star teams. During the meetings there is basically an open forum for discussion about players. Generally coaches will speak and promote not only their own players but also others in the region or others that they have seen play and feel are deserving. After the open discussions, the committee votes for the players. There are usually a couple of rounds of voting with the second round basically filling the last few spots based on position needs. The key to the whole process is for coaches to be a member of the KSCA so they can nominate their players. I'm not sure if a coach can nominate a player from another school or not, but I can tell you that it just doesn't happen. Everyone expects the coaches to nominate their own players. Joining the KSCA is very inexpensive and any coach that doesn't join is only doing a disservice to their own players.

I'm pretty certain this is Bracken's first win over Montgomery since they switched to fastpitch in 1995.

Watching the College World Series got me to thinking about former KY high school players that have made it to Oklahoma City. The only three I can think of are Mary Ratliff-Montgomery Co./Univ. of Florida, India Chiles-Ballard/Univ. of Tennessee, and Kirsten Allen-Ryle/Oklahoma Univ. Can anybody think of somebody I'm leaving out?

That is based on the second runner being obstructed between second and third by the shortstop. If they called obstruction on the first runner, then obviously they blew the call.