Once again weather is playing havoc with the Ragin’ Cajuns. Last week it was the softball team in Baton Rouge that dealt with numerous delays. And while Cajuns fans probably feel they got screwed (no surprise there, they always feel slighted), I’m going more with LSU catching a break. However, I think it’s different this time around in Statesboro, GA.
Georgia Southern is hosting the Sun Belt Conference Baseball Tournament that was scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Due to weather and field conditions, it won’t start until Thursday at 3p ET. The weather has also reeked havoc with the format of the tournament, changing it from double-elimination to single-elimination all the way through. Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson told The Advocate’s Dan McDonald, “It’s not ideal, but this is the fairest thing for every team.”
I’ll get back to that quote shortly.
Before the rain/field conditions washed away Wednesday’s games, the Sun Belt had arranged to play some games at a local high school/summer ball facility. Which as Benson would say “Is not ideal” while Cajuns Head Coach Tony Robichaux would tell me “It Is What It Is, Dave”. This decision appeared to be a good one, keeping the tournament, for the most part, double elimination (excluding 1st round & Championship Game).
But after Wednesday’s postponement the conference wanted to make sure everything was fair for every team. That’s where I have an issue. The conference tournament isn’t fair for every team. Four teams play an additional game and you could have a title game with an undefeated team while one has already lost. (Quick reminder, championship game is winner take all.)
So from the get go, the tournament is anything but fair. Making it single-elimination, not only takes away the Cajuns pitching advantage, but does the same Coastal Carolina, UTA, and South Alabama. Perhaps the Cajuns even more so, with Nick Lee & Evan Guillory as additional starters.
Questions I would like to be answered. Why are they only playing two games on Thursday and then again on Saturday? Why are they starting so late; first game 3p? Why aren’t they playing at both facilities? The tournament could still be double-elimination where they planned it, with one caveat; teams may have to play twice on Thursday or Friday.
As I’ve written before, post-season baseball/(softball) is a test of strength and endurance. By playing games at both facilities and teams having to play twice in one day, everything could’ve have been back on schedule by Saturday. You can see what Cody and I came up with and compare that to the original Sun Belt bracket underneath it. (click to enlarge). Again, not ideal, by any stretch (bullpens may suffer), but at least teams that earned their way to a post-season advantage, keep it.
We are three months away from football season kicking off, but the Sun Belt Conference committed the first turnover this year. They fumbled the Conference Baseball Tournament away.
THURSDAY
9A Game 1 and 2
12:30P Game 3 and 6
7P Game 4 and 5 (Winners from Game 1 & 2 play Coastal & UTA)
FRIDAY
9A Game 7 and 8
12:30P Game 9 and 10
7P Game 11 and 12 (Winners 7/8 play losers 9/10)
