By Gene Phelps

Daily Journal

Myrtle coach Marty Cook knew Friday morning his Lady Hawks were opening play today - against somebody, somewhere and at some time to be determined - in the MHSAA fast-pitch state playoffs.

Confused?

"It's kind of crazy," Cook said, then laughed.

Cook's team and many others entered the first weekend of postseason play - best-of-three series - not sure who, where or when they'd play.

The main two reasons for the confusion were the addition of more playoff teams, four instead of two from each division, and the recent late March and early April showers, which postponed the play of deciding league games.

Myrtle had to wait on the outcome of Friday night's Class 1A games between Falkner and Hickory Flat to learn its matchup, time and place.

"If Falkner wins, we host Pine Grove at 2 Saturday," Cook said. "If Hickory Flat wins, they host Pine Grove and that puts us on the road."

Which means Myrtle would then have to be concern with the outcome of Friday night's game between Biggersville and Wheeler. The winner of that game would host the Lady Hawks - Wheeler at 1:30 p.m. or Biggersville at 2.

Crazy is right.

In Class 3A, Amory, Houston and Louisville will not begin postseason play until Monday because they're waiting on Corinth, Kossuth and Lewisburg to play off their division.

Some teams - East Union, New Site - played their first-round games Friday to avoid today's scheduled ACT test.

Nobody was busier Friday than Northeast Mississippi assigning official for umpires, Corinth's John Smillie.

"To be honest, a sane person would have given up," he said. "I'm trying to set up umpires for playoff games Saturday and I don't know who's playing, where or what time.

"People don't understand what a nightmare it's been. Some times have been set, but those times could change. I told the coaches if they change times, they have to call the umpires."

Smillie said he's experienced a whopping 191 cancellations and postponements this season out of a possible 397 dates.

"They were all for one reason or another, and not just weather," he said.

Smillie says the MHSAA could avoid this situation next season by forcing schools to complete their division schedules earlier and not wait until the final week to play crucial games.

Last year was a lot easier to assign playoff matchups because only two teams, not four, from each division advanced.

"As a coach, I like four teams advancing," Cook said, "but it does create a situation like this."