I want to thank everyone that joined the live chat yesterday on AZ Central.com.  In addition, I want to thank those that caught my spelling error, for “recoup”… noted and no need to send anymore emails.

I wanted to make sure that I addressed several of the questions that we did not get to during the hour long live chat.  I asked AZ Central Preps editor Tom Blodgett (who has been instrumental in the increased coverage and continuing to strengthen the AIA/AZCentral relationship) to forward the questions we did not get to so he did the best he could to pull them together… here are the questions from Mr. Blodgett:

Q/AZ Central: In regards to softball, ever thought about doing double headers twice a week thus cutting the travel cost down? And also how about having a two day tournament that decides the championship in one weekend like ASA and other tournaments? That way the families would only have one tournament cost.

R:  We are looking at all options. These discussions will continue with the AIA Softball Advisory Committee and AIA Executive Board. We love the idea of having double headers when applicable…

Q/AZ Central: One was about why Chaparral, rather than Thunderbird, is representing Arizona in the Sollenberger?

R: The Firebirds are representing Arizona based on the size of the school and their performance last year. Chaparral will be playing Bishop Gorman in the first game of the Sollenberger Classic and Show Low HS will play Moapa Valley. Watch for the press release some time end of June.

Q/AZ Central: One was about whether there will be sectional awards, like all-sectional team, sectional player and coach of the year?

R: The AIA Executive Board approved the awards plan for not only all post season play, but also for section and division honors. This will be the first time the AIA will have a uniform and equal process for recognizing the students and coaches that are deserving of such honors. The structure and matrix is posted on www.aiaonline.org, look for it in the upper right hand scrolling section.

Q/AZ Central: One was about how sectional champions will be decided since we're going from like 5-7 teams in a region to like 18 in a section?

R: Sectional champions and seeding for tournaments will be based on the power ranking system that was adjusted this past year to address the concerns related to how many times and/or who teams will be playing based on the computer schedule trying to reduce travel. The committees, the Board and staff believes that with the inclusion of opponents (and their) opponent – opponents victory points along with a slight change in the value attributed to same, we have a very accurate system. Unlike any other state in the country, the AIA is control of its own formula and software application. If we need to address in the future, we will be able to do so….

Q/AZ Central: One was about the possibility of a class action lawsuit on revenues from the schools up north?

R: I am unaware of a class action lawsuit, as I do not know what the cause of action would be and the protected class that would file same. We are looking forward to another great year of “North Basketball”. Last year the AIA Executive Board recognized the Navajo Nation as “The Basketball Nation”. I presented at The Border Classic held in Chinle last December, to former President and First Lady Shirley of the Navajo Nation, a trophy signifying the designation.

Q/AZ Central: Oh, and there was the guy who kept calling on you to resign before he finally dropped an F-bomb and I banned him.

R: I would not want to be sexist, so to whoever “AIASucks” is, man or woman, I am thankful for our version of the “seven second” delay… allowed me time to recoup.