CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

And down the stretch we come. Once again, it is proven that just because you are the #1 seed and roll absolutely everyone during the regular season, it doesn't mean the playoffs are a cakewalk. The Tallcorn Cobras finish in the top slot for the second season in a row, and the Tallcorn Cobras get knocked out in the semi's for the second season in a row. That's a tough one to swallow!

The Counselor gets his shot at the title (at the #5 seed to boot) as he'll take on Rocky Mike and The Rockpile. I'm looking forward to this one. Early word out of Vegas has Rocky Mike giving 2.5 categories. Let's see if the Sluggers of Salt Creek can rise to the occasion.

The plaque for the alternates may be down in the ladies room, but make no mistake, T-Dub and The Ger are more than willing to stake it's claim. T-Dub is trying desperetly to salvage his dignity (and get a few extra dollars) while The Ger wants to prove his SwinGERS are a force to be reckoned with. The handicappers have this one going handily to the Cobras, but then again, they were heavily favored against the Sluggers.

The fight for 7th place. Love this game, the best of the worst. The Napolean Complex Series. Both teams still contending they belonged in the upper bracket playoffs, yet they're breathing the same air as teams with .300 winning percentages. The Daddy's won the league last year, this year he's playing for 7th place. I mean, does it get any more Lindsay Lohan than this? He's like Mickey Abbot on Seinfeld...he was standing in for Punky Brewster when y'all were nothin! Nevertheless, Sin City is touting the Daddy's in this one. It'll be interesting to see if Mental Ed can pull this one out.

Finally, the 9th place game featuring yours truly. The Cornholers stock is rising, a classic late bloomer tale. Although I'm not sure how a team hitting 1 homer and driving in 9 RBI all week can win. Then you take a look at the Hot Dogs. Hanley Ramirez...hurt...Kevin Youklis...hurt...Carlos Santana...hurt...David Aardsma (my only closer)...hurt...Michael Bourn...hurt...chances of winning...hurt. Ace Rothstein has the Cornholers stealing this one in an utterly embarrassing matchup that demonstrates the calibar of teams playing for a 9th place finish.

Meanwhile Client #9 defeated Hoosier Heat to finish in 11th place (the Heat pulling up the rear in 12th). In an extremely satisfying outcome, Clark & Addison defeats #3 seed CO Yankees for a 5th place finish. #3 seed CO Yankees dip down to #6 and lose some much needed points. Such a shame (yes, I'm shaking my head in disappointment with a smile from ear to ear).

Playoff Action

Here are the matchups for the second week of the playoffs-

Salt Creek Sluggers at Tallcorn Cobras
The SwinGERS at The Rockpile
Clark & Addison at CO Yankees

Roscoe Village Hot Dogs at Jimmy's Daddy
Cornholers at Fenway Franks
Client #9 at Hoosier Heat

(NOTE-The Hot Dog-Hoosier Heat matchup ended in a 5-5 tie). As per last years playoff rules, in the event of a TIE, the following list will govern who wins the overall contest....Batting Average, Wins, Home Runs, Strikeouts, Runs Batted In, Earned Run Average. So if there is a tie, whatever team has the higher batting average will win the week. If that category is a tie, then you move onto Wins. If that is a tie, you move onto home runs, and so on. The Hot Dogs win the week, defeating Hoosier Heat in the Batting Average category by a score of .2738 to .2400.

Year of the Underdog?

In Chinese astrology, 2010 is the year of the tiger. Could it be the year of the underdog in PG Sportsworld? So far, 3 underdogs are leading in 4 total contests. The SwinGERS have left a painfully arrogant Yankee Mike stunned thus far, as they lead 5-3-2 going into Thursdays games. Fitting that Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki is leading the charge here. I don't believe the Cornholers have won a week this entire season. But this week is the one that counts. The more games 3K wins, the higher he'll climb on final power rankings chart. Keep the faith, 3K! In the battle of Gettysburg, The Counselor and Linc are showing brotherly love doesn't mean much. Right now, The Counselor is playing General Meade to Linc's Robert E. Lee. Will this trend continue, sending Linc into full retreat? And in the final match of the week, the Hot Dogs are leading Hoosier Heat. This is an important matchup for both. If the Cornholers climb the ladder, one of the two could find themselves in dead last when all is said and done. Stay tuned, we've got a full weekend of baseball going, and it should be fun. Money and pride are at stake, good luck to all.

Playoff Update

Ok guys, here are the brackets. Remember, this is a 6 year league and how many points you get at the end of the season matter on how well you do in the playoffs. Every category counts. Speaking of categories-

As per last years playoff rules, in the event of a TIE, the following list will govern who wins the overall contest....

Batting Average
Wins
Home Runs
Strikeouts
Runs Batted In
Earned Run Average

So if there is a tie, whatever team has the higher batting average will win the week. If that category is a tie, then you move onto Wins. If that is a tie, you move onto home runs, and so on.

Let's talk payouts. According to the league rules, "The team with the best record in each division at the end of the regular season will receive 10% of the total pot each. The team who wins the entire league will win 50% of the total pot, 2nd place will receive 20%, third place will receive 10%".

So Tallcorn Cobras and The Rockpile will receive 10% of the total pot each (which, with a $1,200 pot, that's $120 bucks a piece). The winner of the playoffs will get 50% (or $600.00), second place will receive 20% (or $240), and third place will get 10% (or $120.00).

Playoff Time

Here are the final regular season power rankings as we head into the playoffs-

1. Tallcorn Cobras
2. The Rockpile
3. CO Yankees
4. Clark & Addison
5. Salt Creek Sluggers
6. The SwinGERS

7. Jimmy's Daddy
8. Fenway Franks
9. Client #9
10. Roscoe Village Hot Dogs
11. Hoosier Heat
12. Cornholers

the #1, #2, #7, and #8 seeds will get first round byes.

Playoff Schedule-
CO Yankees vs. The SwinGERS
Clark & Addison vs. Salt Creek Sluggers

Client #9 vs. Cornholers
Roscoe Village Hot Dogs vs. Hoosier Heat.

If anyone has any questions, please leave them in the comment section. I will write more tomorrow, sorry guys, I'm slammed today and don't have the time.

Tie-Breaker

As Ed was saavy enough to point out yesterday, there is currently no language in the by-laws dealing with who gets into the playoffs (even though everyone but Ed knew what the criteria was). Nevertheless, we will add language to the by-laws and have everyone vote on it. As a result, there also isn't language in the by-laws that deal with tie breakers at the end of the regular season (i.e. if two teams are vying for the 6th spot and have the same record). I spoke with Co-Commissioner T-Dub on how to handle such a scenario should it come up.

We thought the best way would take the two teams in question, look at their head to head numbers, and whoever has the better record advances into the playoffs.

For instance, let's say the Roscoe Village Hot Dogs and the Cornholers are tied for 6th place at the end of the regular season. Looking at the regular season head to head numbers for both teams, it looks like the Hot Dogs defeated the Cornholers by a score of 6-4, so the Roscoe Village Hot Dogs would advance to the playoffs.

If the Cornholers and the Hot Dogs are tied in their head-to-head meetings, I suggest we compare both teams records against their division opponents.

We believe this is the fairest way to handle the situation. I don't believe we will see a tie-breaker at the end of this week, but in the event there is one, we'll have a contingency plant. Thoughts?

Approaching Playoffs

Ok, we’re rapidly approaching the end of the regular season for our baseball league. I thought I would give everyone a state of the union so everything is clear moving forward. Let’s recap-

If the playoffs started today, the rankings would be-
1. Tallcorn Cobras
2. The Rockpile
3. CO Yankees
4. Salt Creek Sluggers
5. The SwinGERS
6. Clark & Addison/Jimmy’s Daddy
7. Clark & Addison/Jimmy’s Daddy
8. Fenway Franks
9. Client #9
10. Hoosier Heat
11. Roscoe Village Hot Dogs
12. Cornholers

Make no mistake; the #6 seed is still WIDE OPEN (with 5 teams still having a shot). I cannot stress how important this week is for a number of teams. So stay tuned.

If you are not in the top 6, do not lie down and quit. This is a 6 year league, and points are accumulated every season. Remember, last year the CO Yankees went from 12th place to 7th place DURING THE PLAYOFFS, picking up much needed points for the overall 6 year payout. Client #9 went from the #5 seed to the championship game and an 2nd place finish.

Reminder, the winner of each respective division will get a bye in week 1 as a reward for their stellar regular season play. Since this is a 3 week playoff, #7 and #8 will enjoy the same bye.

From now until the end of the playoffs, I will be posting updated brackets as they develop (so everyone is fully informed of the situation).

Good luck to everyone! Play ball!!!!