Top 4 Legion

[say_oww]

Classy - Yes. Convenient - for Claysburg and the league, yes. Inexcusable - Absolutely.

Umpires should know the rules and shouldn't make decisions after the fact based upon a coach's complaints. Regardless of whether the play in question was a balk, if an umpire didn't initially make that ruling, they shouldn't have done so after Claysburg's complaints. But since the umpires did make a call that many agree was an incorrect interpretation, then it would seem the only logical thing to do would be to rule on the protest, and then if necessary, resume the game from the point of protest.

[say_oww]

So Claysburg doesn't even win a game and Bedford looks to be done after three games? Once again an impressive run by the teams that use their vast boundaries to beat up on the smaller teams and then get whacked once they matchup with a team from outside of Cambria county.

[bleacherbum]

WOW..can you even name name the high schools that claysburg players were from..Not a vast area

[biffpocoroba]

WOW..can you even name name the high schools that claysburg players were from..Not a vast area

Claysburg-Kimmel School District
Spring Cove School District
Williamsburg Community School District
Tussey Mountain School District
Hollidaysburg Area School District

The first four districts are Claysburg's zoned territory and have a total population of about 34,000, making Claysburg the third largest zone in the 14-team Cambria County American Legion League, behind only Bedford, which has a zone of about 44,000 in population, and Conemaugh, which draws from the city of Johnstown.

Or didn't you really want an answer?

[PsuDfense30]

I think the Legion really has to think about changing the format for the playoffs. They need to make it at least a week between the championship and when regionals start. Claysburg played 28 innings on Tuesday and Wednesday and had no pitching left for regionals. Yes, the top 2 pitchers did pitch both on 3 days rest but after pitching 8 innings a piece and their arms were probably hurting. Not making excuses for Claysburg, but they really need to rethink how they have the playoff format relating to regionals.

[thebigeasy]

This always comes up this time of year. The answer is simple the CCLB needs to combine small area teams. There should only be 10 teams to have a good league.

[say_oww]

Every other league has to deal with the same time frames as the regional dates are determined by State and National officials a year in advance. Maybe Claysburg lost because once again they aren't as good as the rest of the teams in the region. Until they win more than one or two games then please tell me why I should be impressed or listen to the excuses? Since State Collge is out I thought this was supposed to be their year. Turns out this year is just like all of the other years. If Claysburg is so good, then why didn't they just rest their top two arms for the playoffs so they would be ready for regionals, and let the other kids pitch in the championship? I guess the answer once again is that they had to pitch everybody available just to get past Somerset, which supports the assertion that having a huge zone and a lot of options is why they have made it three in a row, and not because there is something special in the water in Claysburg or Martinsburg and all of the other small towns where they get their kids from.

[pas2326100]

Wow, you are some kinda critic there Say Oww, As Claysburgs coach the nice thing here is that we are not out to impress you or do we even care to impress you. First off every other league is not doing things the same... It states in the legion rule book that each league must finish there playoffs to completion yet Central Penn gets down to final 2 teams and then doesnt play champiomship game... They could play and throw young pitchers but if forced to play then they have to decide if they are gonna give up championship that they have worked all year for. Next we dont claim to be as good as any team in the region or even the league for that matter, all I ask of the kids is to step on the field each and every night and to give me there very best effort and if its good enough then so be it and if not then thats ok too. Next we never said a word about this being our year so get your facts straight before you come on here hiding behind a screen name and ridiculing kids and teams. If you were to ask Ryan who covers games for the Gazette My comment to him from day 1 was that we were a pitcher short and atleast a year away as we return 8 of our top 10 guys next year and most for 2 to 4 years yet. You also talk about zones and advantages well here is one for you... Do I think the legion rule is fair... absolutely not but we dont make the rules, just live by them... do we have an advantage over somerset in drawing area... absolutely... but what about the advantages that those teams have over us... Those kids know each other and practice together from February to July... We had 19 games in 16 days once we got the central guys back and have had 0 practices as a team in the last 2 years. It was the 9th game of the season when we got everyone back and we had kids introducing themselves to each other, we get to know each other on the fly and as coaches we get to know what kids can do during game situations and likewise with the kids learning the coaches. You are right about one thing.. this year was like every other year..we were able to put a quality group of kids on the field who give there very best for themselves, the team and they represent claysburg legion to the best of there abilities. As the coach for these young men i am very proud of there efforts for winning 3 straight titles and making it to regionals 3 years in a row and next year and coming years we will strive for the same and when/if we get back to regionals, we will go there and win or lose give our very best effort. Did we have tired pitching staff....yes but we still went out and battled and will not sit and make excuses for our losses but will accept them with our heads held high and move forward and see if we can improve our next time out. Coach Aungst Claysburg American Legion Baseball

[bleacherbum]

@ say oww thanks for the answer I did really want to know. Out of the 34,000 people you mentioned only 1407 are eligible to play legion ball leaving 32,593 read in the papers all about the "Blair County All Stars"

[Crusher grad 98]

Coach your full of ****, if you pick from that many school districts including central you should be able to beat anyone, since you do coach "the Blair county all star team." You and your team were lucky the umps screwed the rules up or you wouldn't have even made itto regionals in the first place..