Polls and Competition like water and oil they sometimes don't mix well

[Old Cardinal]

I have watched as baseball and softball polls are adjusted based on win-loses instead of overall strength of competitors faced. When teams "play up" with top upper classification opponents the level of play is much different. Consequently, when tournaments are evaluated a lower classification team with a loss or two may still be much stronger than some team that played fair to meddling teams of their same classification or even less. Looking at the win-lose scenario is a poor indicator of predicting the future.
Let's take softball next weekend for example PN-G, LC-M and Nederland and West Brook will all face De La Salle--said to be maybe te best team in the Pelican state. Likewise, highly touted Sulphur, LA will match up with West Brook, Bridge City, PN-G, Lumberton etc
Some very good teams will get their nose bloodied because of the great competition. But again that is what pre-season is all about....The big cross state Bayou Classic in Beaumont is the tough place to be that weekend to play softball....

[VWG]

Good point. Tough schedule in the early part of the season can strengthen a team come district play.