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Palm Beach Post (Florida)
The Florida High School Athletic Association will change the postseason schedule for Florida baseball teams.
The current format scheduled just one game per week, which proved unpopular with many coaches due to long layoff times and because teams could rely on one ace pitcher throughout the playoffs.
"You're almost playing a different sport," Palm Beach Central coach Tony Gullo told the Post in May, "because you only have one (pitcher)."
Under the new format, Class 1A-4A teams will play their regional semifinals and finals in the same week, on the Tuesday and Friday. Class 5A-9A teams will play their regional quarterfinal, semifinal and final games on the Wednesday, Saturday and Tuesday. The new schedule takes a week out of the playoff schedule, and the FHSAA is adding a week of preseason practice.
Jupiter won its first state title this season, starting star pitcher Jake Garland in several games, including the state semifinal.
"You kind of have to give the guys a little bit more time off, just because we played Tuesday, and then you're talking about you've got a whole week for practices," Jupiter coach Andy Mook said in May. "But we're like, 'How many times can you go through bunt defense?' It becomes a little overkill. Kids start losing a little interest."
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