As part of the baseball advisory committee, this past June we voted as a committee to propose a new baseball playoff system. Attached you will find the proposed system, which is the same one that was organized by Eric Briggs and discussed and the coaches clinic last January. The Proposal is for a 2 year trial run at the Class 4 level only, with the option to expand to other classes if in favor after the 2 year period. This system would not go into place until the 2010-2011 season since we have just started the first year of our 2 year cycle. I don’t know if all of you are in agreement with this new system involving double elimination and 2 out 3 play, but if you are we need your help. I am almost certain after talking to George Blaise and my AD that this will not be received very well by the administrators who get the final vote. If we want to see what in my opinion is positive change for high school baseball in the state of Missouri we must be very proactive. The first step is to take the attached system to your AD and share your opinion on this and convince him that this is something you would like to see happen. We are also allowed to attend the area meetings in necessary to discuss it and answer questions, etc. If you are in favor of this change, please forward this to as many high school coaches that you know.
I look at the proposal in this way. If I am a Class 4 school, which I am, I am all for it. This is deciding our state playoffs in a format more conducive to baseball compared to all single elimination. If I am in a smaller class, I’ve got nothing to lose by supporting this because I can see how it works and then decide if I like it or not. The reason that the proposal was for only Class 4 is that some of the smaller school coaches felt this would face a lot of resistance due to smaller numbers and limited pitching. However, especially at the larger schools, I think this system will force us to involve more kids and plan for the post-season in a different manner.
If you have any questions please let me know and I will do my best to answer them. If you are in favor of this change, the only way we will get it done is if we are very proactive.
J. Michael Hunt
Head Baseball Coach / Bus. Ed Instructor
Eureka High School
4525 Hwy 109
Eureka, MO 63025
636-938-2414 Ext 2206
