State Tournament Improvements

#1 posting 5.30.2007
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STATE TOURNAMENT IMPROVEMENTS
It has been a while since the state tournament. I have been thinking of improvements.

The State tournament experience can be enhanced. One change that could be implemented without too much sacrifice is to give a spotlight to the championship matches at both singles and doubles. You could flip to see who goes first.

The way it is set up now attention is divided. Teammates can not cheer each other on. It just doesn't seem that special when eyes are diverted. It may add 15 more minutes to the event, but with the final four coming in on Friday you could run the semis all together, and then the 3rd place contests could go on as the singles championship takes place. Or you could run the 3rd place games and then have the singles and then the doubles championships.

Another way to enhance the experience is to have a scoreboard or flip card scoreboard out. Too often this season I saw games end early and some went late because players lost track of the score. With a scoreboard that responsibility is taken off the shoulders.

Seeding went 1-8 for singles, 1-6 for doubles. That is because, from what I understand, not all coaches send in their records. The seeds should drill down further than six. Also the tournament should be open to the 3s and 4s in singles, 3s in doubles. I saw some #3s this season that were better than some #2s, maybe even #1s. Obviously not all 3s or 4s should get the call.

These minor tweaks can be added without too much problem.

Of course adding more schools to the party would be nice. That is a little bit more of a challenge.

next up: My guess June