A suggestion. lets go back to pool play next year. Teams done by Sunday with a whole week to go. I would like to see them play within their pool and finish there playing all of the teams instead of crossing over. The other problem, of cours...e, is that Japan and Taiwan had finished Tuesday and had three days rest before its next game. The American teams were fighting to the very end and, as a result, Hawaii was forsed to use its sixth pitcher to play the championshiip. What would have happened it Hawaii's number one or number two pitcher was available? Anyone caught early in the losers bracket is doomed and more than likely will lose the championship. So lets think about pool play again please. See More

‎@ Sean - Thanks for the input. The current format gives every team an equal chance from the start. Losing a game sets a team back. That's the way double-elimination works, and it's fair for everyone.

However, under the previous format, it... meant a team would actually benefit by losing a game on purpose. That's not the best situation to put a manager, or the children he/she supervises, in.

There is no way for us to complete all 24 pool games by Sunday in any case.

As it was, with Hawaii coming all the way back from losing its first game, it would be difficult to say that it was severely depleted. The Hawaii pitchers only gave up four hits, and the team played very well.

Had Hawaii not lost its first game, and had Japan lost its first game, the outcome might have been different - or the same. See More

Good point Lance and it was the reason you moved to double elim this year. Look there are good and bad points to both. However, you made my point. If a team loses its first game it turns out to be not such a fair fight in the end. Granted w...in like japan and you do well but lose like Hawaii and its number 6 vs number one or two. At least in pool play every one finishes at the same time and the two left standing are at least on par with each other. Hawaii pitched a player who had not pitched in regionals or world series. He did a great job, no doubt about it but one bad game for Hawaii put them in a position where they had to win five games in five days to win the championship.
From a fans point of view we were at the complex every day no knowing who plays who and when. It was very difficult to follow. Not that we matter but it was a little frustrating. Otherwise Good job btw with the series. Enjoyed every minute. See More