Changes coming to the Midland Athletic League? - Page 4

strykerblue · (#61)

MAL guys better get their crap together or others may be leaving in next 12 months.

Village Idiot · (#62)

It may already be a foregone conclusion. With what Hank heard, if the MAL is looking to other "leagues" and not to prospective "schools", it sounds to be an admission that their best hope is either for a league consolidation with someone (not likely: NBC is at 8, TAAC is at 8/10, N10 is at 10 pending Bucyrus, FC is at 8), or some kind of consolidated scheduling arrangement to pick up a couple of late season games each year (again, problematic with the surrounding leagues).

MAL got ####ed twice by Carey, SE, and Mohawk. The MAL was in a position to go to 10/14 two years ago, which might have made SE a little more reluctant to bail with the Wyandot County schools, had the resulting league still been 8/12.

Even had SE bailed, the previous addition of Elmwood would've likely precluded the NBC from taking Fostoria in order to stay at 6. Now, two years later, the NOL/Fostoria relationship would be even more strained, and there would be great pressure in the NBC to, still trying to stay on an even number, trade Woodmore for Fostoria, leaving Woodmore available, which would have made a total of a three-for-three, all FB, trade. Or, had that not developed, Fostoria might have been available to the MAL outright.

Even in the worst-case scenario, Gibsonburg and Elmwood to the MAL, Woodmore to the NBC, Fostoria staying in the NOL, followed by Carey, Seneca East, and Mohawk to the N10, the MAL and TAAC would each have seven and could have jointly scheduled their Week 4-10 bye weeks against each other.

DaPlane · (#63)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Village Idiot

It may already be a foregone conclusion. With what Hank heard, if the MAL is looking to other "leagues" and not to prospective "schools", it sounds to be an admission that their best hope is either for a league consolidation with someone (not likely: NBC is at 8, TAAC is at 8/10, N10 is at 10 pending Bucyrus, FC is at 8), or some kind of consolidated scheduling arrangement to pick up a couple of late season games each year (again, problematic with the surrounding leagues).

MAL got ####ed twice by Carey, SE, and Mohawk. The MAL was in a position to go to 10/14 two years ago, which might have made SE a little more reluctant to bail with the Wyandot County schools, had the resulting league still been 8/12.

Even had SE bailed, the previous addition of Elmwood would've likely precluded the NBC from taking Fostoria in order to stay at 6. Now, two years later, the NOL/Fostoria relationship would be even more strained, and there would be great pressure in the NBC to, still trying to stay on an even number, trade Woodmore for Fostoria, leaving Woodmore available, which would have made a total of a three-for-three, all FB, trade. Or, had that not developed, Fostoria might have been available to the MAL outright.

Even in the worst-case scenario, Gibsonburg and Elmwood to the MAL, Woodmore to the NBC, Fostoria staying in the NOL, followed by Carey, Seneca East, and Mohawk to the N10, the MAL and TAAC would each have seven and could have jointly scheduled their Week 4-10 bye weeks against each other.

That would definitely be a worst-case scenario.

oldscl · (#64)

Yes it sure is a big thank you to SE, Moh and Carey. I hope their grass is greener and stays that way for them. If the MAL falls apart they won't be able to come back if it turns out to be a bad move to the northern ten.

This could be an interesting few year more years.

Hank_Hill · (#65)

To me it's very poor planning and a lack of forward thinking by adminstrators and commisioner of the MAL.

There's been so much movement and talk in the last three years and it seems as though they took some people's word at bay. The fact is, the thought of the N10 scenerio didn't just arise this past summer/fall. They had a chance to protect themselves from the current situation and failed to do so.

More amazing is the fact that they failed to learn from watching the NOL seemingly fall apart in front of their eyes. That league is still facing problems (which could quickly escalate in the coming month) and hasn't recovered. It might not.

Even now the public comments have been "thank you Seneca East, Carey and Mohawk, good luck in your future." It doesn't seem like anyone had questions for those schools. What's done is done, but it doesn't sound like the MAL went down fighting.

Who knows what's really going on behind the scenes. The local newspaper has done zero investigating/reporting on the situation.

I can maybe see Calvert, St. Joseph and H-L sticking together (although I'm not holding my breathe on H-L), but otherwise I think it's every school for itself.

strykerblue · (#66)

HL and maybe others in MAL have been talking to BVC....MAL schools may also be talking to TAAC or Firelands Conference. It sounds like it is every man for himself at this point...dicey times for the schools with no football too (Old Fort, SW and New Riegel)...Bettsville not even a factor as nobody will take them. Some feel NB will go North to TAAC, HL will go to BVC and Calvert and SJCC may look to Firelands. Lakota could go BVC or TAAC. Anyone else heard anything like this?

Hank_Hill · (#67)

Calvert to the Firelands makes no sense whatsoever. They would be better as an independant - the closest FC school is Monroeville. Furthermore, there's no opening in the Firelands nor does there look to be.

Let's face it, there's no fit for the remaining MAL members as a whole. That was pretty much the reality as soon as Woodmore, Gibsonburg and Elmwood were off the table.

Bettsville will almost have to become and indy. They only offer a handful of sports and you can never be sure baseball, softball or girls basketball will field teams. The MAL has basically been kind in keeping them around.

There are some BVC rumblings, but how does something like that really turn out? Do they go to 12 teams? Or gulp, 16? I don't see a great way to divide out either scenerio. Does the BVC really want to add NB and Lakota? Neither bring anything to the table other than new facilities. Riverdale and H-L? That might be a different story if they could make it work.

Sure, they could maybe work something out with the TAAC, but I can't see it being a 20-year old solution. And then what does the TAAC do with Edon and Hilltop come football season? The TAAC did make mention when Gibsonburg was added that the five year plan was to add schools and go to a 2-division setup. They had a new commish come aboard in 2011, so I don't know if that's still in the cards. You'd think NB and Lakota would be obvious choices.

strykerblue · (#68)

Now word is BVC has voted against any expansion so no MAL teams will be added. MAL talking to TAAC about a football only plan for their schools so they can make the schedule work and pair the better programs together. MAL would remain intact for all other sports if this can be worked out. MAL will be at 9 schools when SE, Mohawk and Carey leave. However that is 2 years away so by then Bettsville may not be competing at Varsity level so MAL may well be an 8 team league at that time. Could go back to home and away play in most other sports to help in scheduling with 8 teams too.

Lancer '65 · (#69)

It has already been determined by the members of the NBC that there will be no changes in the coming year and that the member schools are happy with the way things are going. There have been other area leagues also that have indicated that they will not be changing in the immediate future. I don't really think that leagues will masively reorganize to match up the football teams more equitably. There is quite a bit more to league formulation than for the interests of football fans. I think we are spinning our wheels for nothing if football is the only reason for league reorganization, and the way I'm reading this thread, that's what it seems like to me.

Hank_Hill · (#70)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancer '65

It has already been determined by the members of the NBC that there will be no changes in the coming year and that the member schools are happy with the way things are going. There have been other area leagues also that have indicated that they will not be changing in the immediate future. I don't really think that leagues will masively reorganize to match up the football teams more equitably. There is quite a bit more to league formulation than for the interests of football fans. I think we are spinning our wheels for nothing if football is the only reason for league reorganization, and the way I'm reading this thread, that's what it seems like to me.

Football also brings in the most gate money and supports other sports in schools. It's also the hardest to schedule in week 4-10. It's also easier to matchup big/small schools (ie: New Riegel vs. Anthony Wayne and Columbian) in basketball and volleyball. You can't do that in football.

strykerblue · (#71)

Another meeting today (or tonight) among MAL administrators....anyone hear what is on the agenda or what may come out of the meeting

strykerblue · (#72)

Another forum reporting SMCC will have announce their intentions by end of week....they may be coming to MAL....Hank, have you heard this yet?

Hank_Hill · (#73)

Rumblings...I just have a very hard time believing they would step into a league with five football playing schools, one being North Baltimore, which is on the other side of the earth from Sandusky. They would be crazy to leave the SBC and step into a situation as unstable as the MAL right now. There would have to be more than just SMCC in play.

I'd also have to think NB is in play for a BVC spot if they do indeed expand.

strykerblue · (#74)

Well, SMCC is officially staying in SBC so they are out of play...MAL admin had a meeting yesterday...anyone know what came of that....is there a plan to save the league?

Hank_Hill · (#75)

I'm pretty sure it's dead....if Calvert, NB and H-L don't get into the BVC you might see the remaining five football playing team just schedule each other. In fact, they'll basically have to.

strykerblue · (#76)

Hank, I heard the same thing. Basically that the MAL is just hoping BVC does not take any of their schools so MAL can remain a 9 team league (maybe 8 soon with Bettsville on life support). The football schools would have work to do with schedule but in other sports they could play home and away like in the old days. Potential wrench may be the Northern 10.....with Crestline opting to go to smaller league with Mansfield-Marion teams and Riverdale sniffing BVC maybe Calvert and/or HL ask N10 about letting them in? MAL is at other leagues mercy at this point

Grantland · (#77)

http://www.sent-trib.com/high-school...-taac-07-05-12

Lakota and Fremont St. Joe have both sent letters of inquiry to the TAAC

Grantland · (#78)

http://http://www.thecourier.com/Iss...2,J ul,25&c=s

Kevin Shields of the Fremont News-Messenger confirmed at today's meeting that both #Lakota and #SJCC (Fremont St. Joe's) have sent letters of interest to the #TAAC

BD6372 · (#79)

I hope for their sake that they get in the TAAC, that would leave only Calvert (football playing schools) without a home. What will OF, NR and Bettsville do? It will be hard to schedule a 22 game independent Basketball schedule. The MAL appears to be dead for certain after the 2013-14 season.

Knite Flyer · (#80)

It's really not all that hard to fill a 20 (you don't have to play 22, or even 20, for that matter) game hoops slate. NR will have little problems getting dates, they are good, and aren't afraid to schedule up. OF and even Bettsville can fill dates, but all 3 may have to travel a bit more.

They would still be able to play all 9 of the MAL schools "leaving," as they also will have dates to fill. Some games (more than "normal") might have to be played on weeknights, but they'll get their allotment of games.