Legion Playoffs

[#1baseballfan]

who does everyone pick to win the Region 7 tournament? Runner up?

[bleacherfan]

thanks for the info-- cant get around like i used to-- but i still cant imagine a legion game with 19 errors- thats 6 plus innings extra in a ball game-- makes you wonder about the defense- or maybe they just hit the ball so hard nobody could field it-- i must be old school because i figure that 3 errors in a game is 3 errors to many-- just some random thoughts while baseball is winding down and gettin ready for the football season where i havnt missed a game with the points in 4 and a half years------the fan----

[lhacbigfan]

Can someone explain to me why Claysburg, the #1 seed out of our legion has to play the #1 team out of the Central Penn League, while the runner up, Somerset, gets the #2 seed out of the Westmoreland league? This seems like it should be flip-flopped or else you would be better off losing in the finals to get better position in the regionals!

[life hunts]

I would concur that the Cambria County legion league as well as the previous Tunrpike American Legion league had an advantage in terms of the quality of play as compared to the Altoona Federation league.

A couple thoughts...

1. The Cambria County Legion league is a "farm system" for the Johnstown AAABA...that just makes sense. I do not see that direct correlation with the Federation program and the Altoona AAABA.
I have direct experience of several AAABA coaches "hounding" our legion players throughout the regular season, in the league playoffs, and then at regionals to try to get several kids to sign with them...it was ridiculous at times, but the other players hoped to get a look by the AAABA coaches and played hard as a result.

2. Another positive for the Legion kids in the tryouts that are held throughout the season. I accompanied a few players from the league to PNC Park for an early morning workout and also to Harrisburg for a state-wide workout...Neil Walker from Pine Richland and then the Pirates put on a show that day in H-burg.

3. Also, the Legion teams are affiliated exclusively with area high schools, while some of the Federation teams are divided within the city of Altoona by community/ward/area...that may weakend the depth of the league as well.

4. In terms of the coaching, there are some outstanding baseball minds associated with American Legion baseball. In my opinion, State College heads that list locally, but they have a huge draw to choose from in the SC school district. In years past, Philipsburg, Clearfield, Somerset, Bedford, Claysburg, and St. Michaels (Forrest Hills) have all yielded exceptional teams with many college bound players. However, there have been some low level teams in the Legion ranks as well. I have been a part of some 20 to 25 run differential games....really hard to drive 40 miles one way for such a game.

I played and coached American Legion baseball and would recommend it any local player. I too know the Federation league draws some good talent in for their regional tourny and the kids improve their baseball skills if they are willing to work despite the antics going on around them.

I too would encourage any local fans to make the trip to Shaner Field on the other side of State College to see Claysburg play. They are two beautiful fields...meticulously maintained for the kids.

[bleacherfan]

now i know why i log on to bleachercoaches--- i asked for some sportsmans input on a specific subject and i got susinct and balls on commentary from a couple different sources on the subject matter-- well done gentleman-- to you- a tip of the cap from ------ the fan-----

[steelerfan6]

I wish claysburg the best in their next series. Hopefully Swope can get them past the first game and see where it goes from there

[#1baseballfan]

Can someone explain to me why Claysburg, the #1 seed out of our legion has to play the #1 team out of the Central Penn League, while the runner up, Somerset, gets the #2 seed out of the Westmoreland league? This seems like it should be flip-flopped or else you would be better off losing in the finals to get better position in the regionals!

I was wondering the same thing. It's rediculous! If you look at the bottom half of the bracket it just looks like it's set up for the hometown favorite State College. If SC wins there first game they get a #2 seed in the second round regardless who wins. Things seem a little fishy.

[Jtwnbaseballguy]

Can someone explain to me why Claysburg, the #1 seed out of our legion has to play the #1 team out of the Central Penn League, while the runner up, Somerset, gets the #2 seed out of the Westmoreland league? This seems like it should be flip-flopped or else you would be better off losing in the finals to get better position in the regionals!

I was wondering the same thing. It's rediculous! If you look at the bottom half of the bracket it just looks like it's set up for the hometown favorite State College. If SC wins there first game they get a #2 seed in the second round regardless who wins. Things seem a little fishy.

When I first heard about the matchups, I thought someone was mistaken.
When I found out they weren't, I thought that when I looked at the whole bracket it would make sense.
When I look at the whole bracket and it doesn't make a lick of sense, I get the impression there were some shenanigans involved.
How can you have three #2s on one side of the bracket with the Jefferson champ (DuBois) and the Region 7 director just happens to be from DuBois? Even if that's purely coincidental, why open yourself up to such criticism when all you had to do is move one #2 seed to the other side of the bracket so you had two 1s and two 2s on each side?

[D5@6fan]

Another interesting thing that may come into play is the fact that central penn didnt finish their double elimination tournament and just declared co-champions in order to save pitching and according to legion rules concerning regional tournaments, teams including host teams are mandated to participate in district and/or state tournaments until such time as they are eliminated from competition. Host teams will not be permitted to rest their team creating an unfair advantage at either department or national regional tournament. Was talking to one of the coaches and he mentioned about Central Penn not finishing the tournament and this seems like a violation.

[#1baseballfan]

what could be some of the possibilities that could happen if it is in fact against the rules?