Majors Playoffs: The Latest Info

Everyone,
It seems as if the schedule for the post-season tournament is set, so I'm attaching it. If I hear of any changes, I will let you know pronto. The Braves will be seeded fourth, and thus will play in Game 3 at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Where we go from there will depend on whether we win or lose games.
I append some comments from Majors commissioner Darren Miller.
Dave
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Coaches,
I've received comments from most of you (enough of you) that I'm near final with our playoff schedule. Here's where we're at:
* I've been able to structure the schedule so that the only back-to-back games will be on Sat/Sun July 11/12. Everyone left in the tournament at that time will play back-to-back.
* I understand the U12 All Stars will begin play during the second week of the tournament. I can't jam the tournament into the weekend for 130 kids to accommodate the handful of U12 kids that will still be in our tournament and playing All Stars (there will be 4 teams at that point). We'll work around All Star tournament times the best we can.
* All games will be played out to 6 innings - no time limit on games
* In the event the teams are tied after 6 innings, we will continue to play extra innings until a team wins (no California rule)
* You voted to have the mercy rule - if a team is up by 10 runs after 4 innings (3.5 if the home team is up), the game will be called
* If a game is suspended due to rain before the completion of the 4th inning: mark exactly where the game is (count, base runners, etc.) and we will resume the game the next day
* If a game is suspended due to rain after the 4th inning: if a team was ahead at the last completed inning, that team will be declared the winner of that game. If the teams are tied, mark exactly where the game is (count, base runners, etc.) and the game will be resumed the next day.
* If a game is suspended due to darkness, it will be resumed the next day. I could see this happening during the week with extra inning games.
* Pitch count carries over from the regular season and is the same throughout the playoffs
* The games during the second week are still in a bit of flux. I have the championship game(s) Saturday morning. If the undefeated team loses that game, they'll turn around and play another one. This could potentially take all morning, and may work out better for a second game on Sunday or Monday, but I also understand that people have other commitments starting July 19th.
* Final seeding won't be done until Friday this week (seeds 2-9 are still in flux)
Also, be aware of your conduct with the umps as we transition into the playoffs. The higher level of competition will make the games more intense. We'll have what we consider to be the better umps on the field for these games, but there will be close calls that don't go your way.
There is great competition in the Majors right now. Should be a great tournament!
Thanks,
Darren

Practice report: Baseball, Sportsmanship

Great practice today, Braves -- and perfect weather!
Our end-of-practice scrimmage today was a classic, with a team captained by Jason edging a team captained by Chris, 3-2.
Scott (for Chris' team) and Jason slammed home runs. Jason and Chris, each playing shortstop, made superb catches of tough pop flies.
With two outs in the bottom of the last inning, Chris' team had the tying run at first base and the winning run at the plate. The batter hit a hard grounder to third, where Liam calmly gloved the ball and flipped it to Ryan at second for the game-ending force out.
We did have one "issue" to deal with today. A player in our scrimmage flipped his bat in frustration after striking out. I stopped the scrimmage to tell the guys that I had received complaints after our last game about players throwing their bats and helmets after they had made an out.
I told the players that anyone who does that in a game from this point forward will be removed from the lineup immediately. It violates league rules, and it's just plain immature. Our guys need to be good sports, to respect their opponents, and to act with class and dignity.
I know that players are disappointed when they don't perform as well as they'd like to, but all of them are old enough to have the self-discipline to avoid displays of disgust or anger.
Rick, Ross and I absolutely love this group of guys, and I'm not saying that we have a huge problem. But we have enough of a problem that people complained.
Thanks for your help in reinforcing the coaching staff's messages about good sportsmanship!
Dave

Team Rule: No seeds, big chew in dugout

Everyone,
The Braves coaches will be enforcing a team rule against food in the dugout during games. In other words, no sunflower seeds, no candy, no sharable gum (e.g., Big League Chew). Experience has shown that food in the dugout is a huge distraction when players should be paying attention to what's going on on the field, and especially to supporting their teammates.
Water, Gatorade, and other hydrating agents are fine, of course.
Thanks in advance for your help telling players about this rule and supporting our efforts to enforce it.
Dave, Ross, Rick