With regards to how the final four SCIAC games will work, it will likely follow the local JC conference's model (Orange Empire Conference) which has the same situation. Team will be matched based on their conference seeding at that point (1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 1 vs 3, 2 vs 4 etc...) and each game will be pre determined based on the rankings prior to those final four games. The top teams are likely rewarded with a weaker schedule while the lower a team drops, the tougher their four games get. It will not be a four game series but probably four games vs four different opponents with a pre-set schedule of who plays who. While the top teams do face off in those types of schedules, it is generally only once while they would face weaker teams in two or three of those matchups. It may be interesting to see how the SoS of the top seeds is affected if they play the weakest of the schedules.
It is a system that provides great separation among teams that appear to be similar in the standings... all while building a playoff-like atmoshpere. For the second and third seeded teams, it likely is a playoff series for them as it could be a "jump-to-the-top-or-go-home" situation for them. Setting up the pitching in these four game scenarios is always a gamble.
Big Poppa you are right the last 4 SCIAC conference games are like you described.
For example the last 4 games for the #1 team in the SCIAC at that point in the season would be
1V9
1v8
1V7
1V6
Then the 2nd place team would be
2v8
2v7
2v6
2v5
After these LAST 4 games of SCIAC conference then a top 4 teams in SCIAC play in a double elimination tournament to deter the SCIAC conference champion that gets the Pool A bid.
Great set up...It is like the playoffs start the last 4 games of SCIAC conference games. This will be an advantage to teams that have the most pitching and can hit and score lots of runs when the pitching gets weaker.
Home fields can really make a difference...Pomona is a hitter friendly field while Chapman is big and pitcher friendly field.
Let the games begin.,..
