Are Spring Sports Teams Hurt By Winter Team's Success

Some teams have made the Regional Tournaments that wouldn't have made it under the "old" system. I asked two coaches their thoughts on the success of their boys basketball teams.

Scott McGarry (Nelson County Baseball Coach)
We are missing 5 guys. That makes it hard to complete tryouts in terms of final cuts and early roster decisions. It also causes us to shuffle guys defensively which limits time at what will be their primary position once everyone is here. It does hurt the basketball players who pitch as they are not throwing early season bullpens. Since this is just the second year and basketball won the state title last year, things seem “normal” right now because we went through it last season; although, it just involved 2 players then. Despite the difficulties, I certainly support the basketball program. It would be nice to continue to deal with the problem another week.

Jason Kilbourne (Altavista Baseball Coach)
Divisional play has not affected our start at all. Our basketball team has such a strong tradition of advancing to post-season play, that our coaching staff understands that the basketball players that want to play baseball will be out late. I don't mind these prospective players getting out there late. I love the fact that they are participating in other sports.

I then asked both coaches do they think that their sport should have divisional play, and why or why not.
Scott McGarry (Nelson Baseball Coach)
I would love to have divisional play in baseball. The excitement that postseason play provides along with the increase in fan support and awareness is an experience you want for all high school athletes. While I acknowledge the problems that can surface with win-loss records those years some teams in some of the regions struggle, the split divisions provides championship opportunities for twice as many teams/schools/communities. Having witnessed the first team state championship outside of track in school history last year, that opportunity can do amazing things. While we have qualified for regionals in the past in our baseball program, we could become a perennial playoff team under the divisional system. That could be great.

Jason Kilbourne (Altavista Baseball Coach)
I feel like I understand all sides (VHSL, AD's, coaches) of our current situation. From our program's perspective, I would love to have divisional play but I am not going to be consumed by something that is out of my control. We will continue to compete with who is on our schedule and see where that takes us.

Just an interesting take from two coaches who are dealing with not having their kids at practice due to expanded regional play.