With playoffs upon, there have been some very good suggestions on the ducks blog on how the playoffs could be re-configured for future years. Nate's suggested format certainly favors the AA Champion, and hampers the A Champion, and has merit in terms of competitive balance. The only issue would be scheduling.
However, the objective behind this year' s format was to expand the league in 2011 into two sepearate leagues, with indepenent playoffs. This would lead to regular season divisional champions, and overall league champions. Pittsburgh NABA Champions from the first 7 years of the league would essentially be "AA" Champions. To be sure, 2010 is a transitional year.
Top AA teams, and bottom end A teams should not be facing each other more than once a year, if at all. With the admittedly imperfect 3 division format this year it at least assured AA teams that they were playing the A teams no more than 2 times during the season. In hindsight, this certainly was preferable to the following format:
3 Games versus teams in own division; 1-2 games vs. Teams in opposing division
Allgeheny Division
Hurricanes
Warriors
Bulldogs
Matadors
Oilers
Titans
Monongahela Division
Black Sox
Ducks
Militia
Eagles
Maulers
Knights
This would have created a scenario where last year's champion would have played the Oilers and Titans 3 times a piece, while only playing some other AA teams once. It's a difference of about 3 games in terms of difficulty. The format used for the 2010 regular season assured a more difficult schedule for final four teams from last year (Canes, Sox, Ducks, Warriors), while allowing the A teams to play 9 games ( instead of 4-5) against teams of similar ability.
I am pleased with that arrangement. Could the playoffs be structured differently? Perhaps, but that' s why these things getting voted on in the off-season.
Next year, it is imperative that we increase the number of teams in the league to go to the following type format (More teams, more games against evenly matched opponents):
AA: 8 teams; 24 games. (3 games in division, 10 games AA, 5 games A)
AA playoffs: Rd. 1 - #1, #2, bye; #3 vs. #6, #4 vs. #5, #7, #8 are out; Rd. 2 - #1 vs. #4/5, #2 vs. #3/6; Best of 3 for Championship
A: 5 teams; 24 Games (8 games AA, 16 Games in division)
A Playoffs: #4 vs. #5; Rd. 2 #1 vs. #4/#5, #2 vs. #3; Rd. 3 - Best of 3 for Championship.
There would be a AA, and an A Champion in 2011. The A champion would automatically become a AA team for 2012, while the worst team in AA would move down to A. The idea is to achieve competitive balance while placing important on both the playoff structure, and regular season.
Division Champions (Allegheny and Monongahela) would achieve the top seeds in their playoff. The last place teams in each division would either be out altogether, or be placed automatically in the worst playoff position. The middle seeds (3-6) would then be determined by overall AA record (as it is this year). This allows teams to stress games within their own division as a priority, instead of an equal emphasis on all games during the season.
The thing I have liked about this year is the acknowledgment of "Big Games". Ducks vs. Black Sox, Hurricanes vs. Bulldogs, Oilers vs. Maulers, Black Sox vs. Militia, Matadors vs. Hurricanes, etc. Managers knew those games were more important to their seasons than games against non-divisional foes. I personally felt that part of the schedule was a success.
No team had clinched their division until the last week of the season. No team was out of the divisional running until mid-July. That 3 months of the 4 month season that teams still had a shot at their division title. For the playoffs, you can' t be sure that you've seen the best a non-divisional opponent had during the regular season; the game was not a "must-win".
In general, I think the 2010 regular season has been a success. Only the Eagles, and the extenuating circumstances of their management were a sore spot in my mind. The Titans and Knights learned lessons this year, and figure to be back in 2011 and compete for the A Championship along with 2-4 new teams. Scheduling is beginning to be ironed out, and I expect good things in 2011.
Related posts:
Don’t forget putting the Big Oil tycoons on trial for deception.
Sounds like Joe remains commissioner in 2011. He’s irreplaceable and looks good with a surfboard and long hair.
I like the idea of the A and AA, and admit my league playoff was a little out there, but, i am a little confused on the 2011 playoffs that you mention. Is it just going to be ‘A’ playoffs and ‘AA’ playoffs? Or is there also going to be a league tornament like this year?
In 2011, the plan is to have two entirely separate playoffs. A “AA” Championship, and an “A” Championship. The separate leagues would only meet in the regular season, not in the post-season. The format should allow for a more diverse group of players to be added to the league.
i hate this format, most of my team hates this format. its my fault because i said i wasnt worried about it at the mangers meeting.
now we are wasting time and arms playing in a meaningless AA championship series, when we should be getting ready for the naba championship tournament.
the hurricanes and blacksox were the leaders in both AA divisions and earned a bye…….
both we are both using up arms, while the rest of the leauge is on bye all week?????????????
I’m not sure why the Hurricanes feel like the Championships are meaningless now that they are in them. I’m pretty sure there are 11 other teams in the league who would want to be the AA Champions. Moving forward, there will only be AA and A Champions. The end-of-year tournament is a bridge to 2011 as mentioned above.
As for the bye, all teams playing in the League Championships have one. They do not play a first round game. That means they should be facing a lower seeds #2 pitcher with their #1 pitcher on 3 days rest, or their own #2 pitcher on full rest.
If the seeds play out, that means the champion plays the #8 Matadors instead of the #7 Militia, #6 Ducks, or #5 Bulldogs. The Matadors are a strong opponent, but certainly haven’t had the year the other three teams did.
No big deal Holloway. If the game is meaningless and you’re worried about arms, have a backup OF or IF throw a few innings and rest your pitchers.
im sure all 11 other teams would want to be AA champion next year when that is the championship, but this year it isnt…..
i want to be the 1st person to state that i dont want this format next season….
if i get out voted, then its whatever.
i think being naba champion means a hell of alot more than being (AA) champion…..