Not Again

After the way the Regular Season and even the first round of the American Legion playoffs ended with so many forfeits don't you just know the State American Legion Tournament in Wilson is right in the middle of a forfeit hoop-la.

There are four teams left in the State Tournament, Monday afternoon Garner and Randolph County were scheduled to play the first game of the day at 1pm but at game time Garner only had 11 players.  By rule in the State Tournament you must have 12 players to start a game so Garner forfeited or should we say they were told they lost by forfeit.  Garner protested and by rule any game played under protest cannot be ruled on until 24 hours have past.

So the first game of the day was not played. The 5pm game the only undefeated team left Wilmington played Kernersville and Kernersville won 7-5 which places all four teams left in the tournament with one loss.  Since Wilmington won their first three games they automatically play in the title game when ever it is played.  Why do I say when ever it is played? Since the championship game is scheduled for Tuesday night.  Should Garners protest be upheld then Garner and Randolph County will play at 1pm Tuesday but that only gets us down to three teams.  The winner of the Garner/Randolph County game will then have to play Kernersville at 5pm shoving the championship game to Wednesday.

I don't see how if by number of players at the start of the game has violated a rule how Garner can win the protest. If they don't then Randolph County will play Kernersville at 1pm Tuesday.  Now here is a little spice added to the soup.  The Southeast Regional is being played in Randolph County this year so since they are the host team they are already in the Regional.  If Randolph County makes it to the championship game then Wilmington will automatically get in the Southeast Regional win or lose.

During the regular season the rule on the number of players  that a team must have is nine.  I think it is a dumb rule to have 12 as the number in the State Tournament.  It may be dumb but if that is the rule the only thing I can say is change it next year.  You can't allow Garner to play because the rule is inconsistent.  I would have to say that this Legion season has turned out to be one that people will remember for a long time for all the wrong reasons. It has become the year of the forfeit.