 |
Admin
Last updated
01-06-10 11:06 AM
Pittsburgh NABA
Joe Graff
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|
|
|
|
Monday, July 9
Bulldogs, Black Sox, and Rebels clinch playoff berth.
PITTSBURGH, PA - In a wild weekend, three teams clinched playoff berths while two teams were eliminated from postseason contention.
The Bulldogs, with a sweep over the Warriors clinched the top seed in the Allegheny Division and with it a first round bye. "I can't tell you how proud I am of my guys. A first-round bye is key, you never know what can happen in a single-elimination game," Dawgs manager was quoted as saying.
The Matadors, Warriors, and Phantoms are battling for the final two spots in the Allegheny Division, while only the Oilers have been mathimatically eliminated. "We've made some good strides this year, and have played good baseball. Unfortunately, we play in a tough division and we couldn't afford to lose some of the close games we lost this year. We'll be ready for 2008," said Oilers manager Matt Ciccone.
The Black Sox and Rebels have both clinched playoff berths and will fight for the top spot right down to the wire. "Aside from a championship, there's nothing I would like better than to beat the Rebels," Black Sox manager was quoted as saying. When told of Rayl's remarks, Rebels manager Rob Finkel replied, "The feeling is mutual. I'd like nothing more than to see Kenny's team right below mine in the standings, preferably with us holding that trophy as Consol Energy Park."
The remaining playoff spot in the Monongahela Division is still up for grabs between the Ducks and Knights. The Ducks hold a 3-0 edge in head to head match-ups, but currently trail the Knights by a game in the standings. "After the start to the year we've had, I'm happy to be in this position," Ducks manager Ben Gwin was quoted as saying.
Because the final seed in the Monongahela division is a guaranteed sub-500 team, there has been some grumbling in the Allegheny Division about the playoff format. When asked to comment about the situation, League President Joe Graff had this to offer about the apparent controversy, "In our winter meetings, we wanted to increase the importance of our regular season, and strengthen certain rivalries that have developed the past four years. We felt at the time this format would do both, and I believe it has. It wasn't until Week 10 that teams were officially eliminated from playoff consideration, or had clinched a playoff berth. While a sub-500 team in the playoffs isn't ideal, it has made for a very meaningful slate of games in the final two weeks as teams' jockey for position."
The Pittsburgh NABA playoffs start on Monday, July 23rd at Spring Hill Park. The Pittsburgh NABA Championship Games will be played at Consol Energy Park on August 5th.
|
|
