The Season Is Just Beginning

Coleman Pitt Post 58 tried to start the baseball season on May 20th.  Two cancellations later the season cranked up on May 26th.  One month has passed and with rain outs and rescheduling Post 58 has played 10 games.  They stand 5-5, could be 6-4 but had to forfeit one.  They are 5-1 in conference play.  They don't have another game scheduled until Thursday and if it doesn't rain or another team drop out P58 will play 7 and 1/2 games in seven days.

The regular season ends Wednesday July 3rd.  Between now and then P 58 plays Thursday at Wayne County and that game will be played at MT Olive College.  Friday they are home against Wilson.  They play a double header Saturday at home against Edenton. Monday they have a trip to Kinston.  Tuesday they are home again to play Albemarle in that game that was washed out in the bottom of the eighth inning plus another game after the rainout is over.  Wednesday night Kinston travels here to finish up the schedule.  Lord help us all if there is a rain out any where within the next week.

Before we talk playoffs let's look at that game with Albemarle which starts with us batting in the bottom of the eighth inning.  When the lineup cards were turn in to the umpires Post 84 brought only ten players with them and that is all that was all the players  on the lineup card.  Post 58 had 16 players on the lineup card even though a couple may not have even been there. The tenth player for P84 came in the game to pitch so when the game is resumed they must put the same nine back out on the field.  If any of those nine players fails to make it to the game they will only have eight players eligible to play and they will have to forfeit the rain out game.

Post 58 played 13 of the 16 players on the line up card so if one of their players fails to show they still have bench players who could take their place.  The problem for P84 is they have to take the field to resume the game while only the batters have to go to bat that are due up next for P58.  A real dilemma for P84 just making the trip here.  Once the second game starts they can make a lineup any way they want.

One issue I have with the way things are done in the east American Legion I have no idea what the standings are and how we stand heading to the last week.  I know with a 5-1 record we can't be any worse than second but who knows.  Anybody know what the standings are?

The top four make the playoffs.  One plays four and two plays three in the conference.  In years past there have been three levels of conference playoffs but there are only two this year so instead of the first round being two out of three all rounds are three out of five.   Wilson is hosting the State Championship this year so they are already in the State Tournament.  Our champion plays the Capitol area champ and the winner of that three out of five goes to Wilson for the State Title.

So if the weather holds out the Playoffs start July 7th.  The one thing nobody wants to do is have to play on July fourth to make up a rainout game.  I sure don't want to and you know the kids don't want to play then.