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.

Helps On The Way

The years 2004-2005-2006 were great success for Rocky Mount area summer sports.  Those three years Babe Ruth Teams from this area played in the World Tournaments.  Some of those players  who played on those teams found their way to Rocky Mount High school and a State High school Championship would come.  This week our Babe Ruth U-13 team heads to Union City Tennessee to play in the Southeast Regional as the North Carolina Eastern State Champs. Sunday in Williamston our 11-12 year old representing Rocky Mount won the Tar Heel State Title.

This follows that some of these 11 year olds on the championship team were part of the 9/10 year old group that won the State title last summer.  Looks our area high schools help is on the way and for the high school that captures the most of these champion all stars playing this summer a deep run could be in the offing like North Nash Did  playing for the east title one spring and Rocky Mount winning it all once. All of that happened after the Babe Ruth run in 2006.

I hope you have seen the plight of the U-13 team.  They leave this week for Union City Tennessee and should they stay all the way up to the championship game they might be there up to ten days.  Not only is this a tremendous expense to the local Babe Ruth Association but think of the parents who most will be taking days off to go with their sons to play in Tennessee.  Not many parents asked for this week off weeks  ago  thinking we are going to win the east State title and I had better ask for a week off just in case.

Today a sectional qualifying tournament is being held at Benvenue County Club.  The only local golfer who has even made it this far in qualifying is Daniel Claytor the former Northern Nash Knight and three time College All American golfer at Barton.  The top finishers Monday qualify for the U S Amateur that is coming in August.

Sunday night Garner and Wilmington were playing in the third day undefeated winners bracket at the American Legion State Championships going on in Fleming Stadium in Wilson.