High School playoffs

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Since there hasnt been any new threads in a while I figured I would stir it up alittle here and give my predictions for the high school playoffs.

Division 1- Contenders:
1. Sheldon- Should win it this year. Team is having fun, playing well, huge bats. Really its theirs to lose. Only question mark I have is how durable their pitcher is should they lose one early and have to play some back to backs in the loser bracket.
2. Johansen- I see another 2nd place in their future. Beating Sheldon, Elk Grove and Pleasant Grove is asking to much for any team. I doubt it will happen. They should get to the 'ship though and anything can happen. Next year will be their best opportunity for a section title.
3. Elk Grove- They have arguably the best pitcher in the section. They will go as she does. If they can put up a few runs and the coaches can stay out of the way, they CAN win it. Will they? I just dont think so. However , they are too talented to go out early. 3rd place finish is how I see them ending up.
The rest of the field:
4. Pleasant Grove- For all intensive purposes this team is done. However , they can scare any of the above 3 teams should they decide to hit. I see an early PG vs. Johansen matchup that should be interesting. Johansen should move past them though.
5. St. Francis- Great run, too young as I mentioned before the season started. No team wants to play them early on. Could take a good team out with them.
6. Vacaville- Great record, untested for the most part. They beat EG early on but didnt face the ace. Solid team but section is to strong for them to do much.
Division 2-
This division is small and lacking in overall talent. Should come down to Del Oro vs. Roseville. I think Roseville wins it but they are evenly matched up IMO. Woodcreek could sneak in the final as they have played better towards the end of the season. Im sticking with Roseville for the win although Del Oro probably should win it.
Division 3-
1. Rodriguez- Wins this thing hands down. Good team, very good bats. Pitching is question mark, but its enough for this division. They have one of the best players in the country and a max preps softball finalist for player of the year. Speed , some big bats, and adequate pitching should net them the win.
2. Pioneer- Surprising team of this year. They should make it to the finals to play Rod. However, they are largely untested and I wouldnt be surprised to see them knocked off.
3. Bear River- I think you could easily see Bear River come out of the lower bracket and knock off whitney. I'll take Bear River as the dark horse.
Divsion 4-
Sierra over Oakdale. Sierra has one of the best up and coming pitchers and is to much for this division. Oakdale over cosumnes oaks and ultimately Sierra wins the D4 section title.

[artomatic]

For all intensive purposes

Oh no you didn't just butcher that phrase...

[PDad]

The "loser bracket" comment caught my eye because I've never heard of HS playoffs using double elim. Very interesting playoff format (e.g. http://cifsjs.org/sports/spring/softball/softballd1bracket_11.pdf):
- Single elim for 1st round and then double elim.
- Very compressed schedule - May 17-25.
- Using a neutral facility with concurrent games.

[hotwheels]

For all intensive purposes

Oh no you didn't just butcher that phrase...

My keyboard is ruined! Thanks Art!...DAMN

[PDad]

For all intensive purposes

Oh no you didn't just butcher that phrase...

My keyboard is ruined! Thanks Art!...DAMN

I think that was one of Art's intents and purposes...

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Yah I butchered it, I'll own it

[anonlooker]

I heard Arto went out last night and ended up in tents with porpoises.

[rbi]

FYI, in D-1 in Sac-Joaquin Section its "Suicide Saturday", meaning you lose 1st game, you go home! You survive 1st game, field is cut in half and its double elimination rest of week, actually pretty good format and it was expanded this year to inlcude "out bracket" games, so some of the tougher leagues choke choke have an opportunity to bring the 3rd place team that might be better than other 1st place teams in other leagues.


Arto, can you please leave us alone up here, whur jist truin hour beest

[artomatic]

I like the double elimination. It's brutal down here with the win or go home format.

I like watchtonofsoftball's sense of humor and the ability to laugh about it. If everyone had that attitude on here, it would be much calmer, but then, I guess that's what makes Heybucket what it is....

So, backstory: Last night I was reading this post, and the "intensive" quote caught my eye. Seemed like something wasn't right...then later, watching ESPN, a commentator happened to use that phrase, and BAM, it hit me...google confirmed my suspicions...
I couldn't let it go could I?

Hey rbi, how's it going?
Have you updated your t-shirt and sweatshirt wardrobe to the new colors yet?

[bulldog21]

I wish the NCS would go to the SJS format.