BleacherCoaches.com

If the top 5 make it in how does that work? How do the brackets fill out?

Team 4 and 5 have a play-in game. The winner of that game then assumes the 4th spot and plays team 1.

If softball is like baseball, it is an open playoff system and no matter the record, a team can go. Often times if the team is not at or above .500 the coaches won't accept the 'bid' to play in the post season.

I agree with sneakers. In the spring, in single A, you have more teams vying for 8 playoff spots than you do in basketball. It's tougher to get in. If your team posts a .500 record during the regular season, a post -season invitation should be extended to your school.

How would a District situation work where all teams have the opportunity to play. ie. such as a Pre-District game?

Basketball is an entirely different playoff situation than Softball or Baseball in "A". 3 teams qualify for states, not just the champion.

Baseball/Softball are changing this year anyway as PIAA goes to 4 classifications and Bedford, C.Ridge, Everett, Windber, and N.Star will be "AA".

There will be fewer teams vying for those "A" spots. D5 tried 12 playoff spots one year for Base/Soft but it didn't work very well and truthfully if your #9,10,11,12 in the reg. season what are you doing playing for a championship.

Basketball is different...Championship might not be a realistic goal but a state qualifying spot might be.

Southern Fulton over Shanksville this evening by a point. Really good game although I feel Shanks has the advantage on a neutral court as it is tough playing S Fulton on there floor.

Roadie,

Thanks for the information. I wasn't aware that single A was going to lose some teams to AA. But I'm not sure I follow your point in saying that "Basketball is different...Championship might not be a realistic goal but a state qualifying position be." Also, for the most part I agree that the bottom seeds get eliminated quickly in playoff's but there are always darkhorses that come out of no where to exceed expectations. I'm not sure one year of trying the 12 team format in baseball and softball was enough time to fairly evaluate things. What about the wrestlers who enter districts with a .500 or below record and advance to the next level. Or if you need team examples, what about Fairfield Basketball in 2001. They entered Districts with a losing record, finished fourth, and then advanced to the single A state championship game. Maybe strength of schedule, injuries or other variables prevent teams from posting a solid regular season record. Just my opinion.

Good post Lets Play. Let every team have the chance. Run a week of Predistricts and Districts. Group up schools by geographic and classification. The best school usually advance but once in awhile a dark horse rides through.