NASOMA Playoff Preview

It is a very veteran group we have in the playoffs this year. Among the six of us, we have...

72 Playoff appearances (not including this year)
30 World Series appearances
19 Higdons

This year's group includes the top three in playoff appearances, and four of the top five.

It also includes the top two in World Series appearances and the top three in World Series winners.

But, with that being said, here are a couple of playoff rule FAQs...

You get a 25-man active roster. It cannot be changed once you begin your first game.

Your rotation starts fresh in game 1 of your first series. From then on, you must follow the schedule. A starting pitcher must have 3 days off before and after each start. This includes appearances in relief but not appearances on offense. There are "off" days in the schedule, but none occur in the first round, meaning that you will have to have a 4th starter in the first round series. The off days occur following games 2, 5 and 7 in round 2 and after games 2 and 5 of the World Series.

You may use one "starter only" pitcher in relief if you wish to. However, once you do this, that pitcher is the only one who can perform this function for you for your entire run thru the playoffs. And again, if he has started a game already, he still must have three days off before he can pitch again, even in relief. You can also bring him back as a starter later provided he has had three days of no pitching prior to that start. His POW in relief is 9. No points are added for ERA or anything else. It's just 9.

Batters and pitchers get 33% of the at bats/innings listed on their card. This number reflects the total amount they get over the entire course of the post season. If you have limited at bat/inning guys (and most of us do), keep close, accurate tabs on them. One year Warpig Matt Lecroy used up all of his at bats in the second round and had to sit and watch the World Series. I couldn't replace him on the roster, either. I began starting him and pulling him before he came to bat so he wouldn't be forced into a game due to injury. I can also remember a year when the Sidewinder pitcher had only a third of an inning left, but managed to coerce the Fungo batter into grounding into a double play, causing debate and consternation about what to do. The level-headed FFTs came to the rescue by suggesting the DP be changed to a fielder's choice and all was well (relatively).

The first round pairs the #3 seed (Buckeyes) with the #6 seed (FFTs), and the #4 seed (Fungoes) with the #5 seed (Mavs). In the second round, the #1 seed (Sidewinders) will play either the FFTs or the winner of the Mavs/Fungoes series. The #2 seed (Warpigs) will play either the Buckeyes or the Mav/Fungo winner.

All rounds are best 4 of 7. The better seeded team hosts games 1, 2, 6, and 7. The worse seeded team hosts games 3, 4, and 5.

The playoffs are scheduled for the weekend of November 18th. First round series games can be played earlier by mutual consent. If you'll provide me with line scores, winning and losing pitchers, hitting stars... that sort of thing, I will post them on the Big Innings blog.

I have offered to host Playoff Weekend here at the Pigsty. You provide the drinks, and I'll provide food (although some tamales would be nice, Doc).

Mavgirl is welcome.

I probably overlooked something. I'm sure you'll let me know.

Good luck,
Pigman

P.S. How's your infield?