Appy League details new playoff format

STATESVILLE, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced in mid-December that it would implement a new format for the 2010 playoffs to include four teams. On Tuesday, it announced the structure and details of the new format.

As outlined in the league by-laws, the two teams with the best win-loss percentage in both the Eastern and Western Divisions, at the conclusion of the 68-game regular season, will qualify for the playoffs. In the event of a tie for a playoff spot, the winner will be determined by the team that has the better record in head-to-head competition between the tied clubs.

In the first round of the playoffs, each division leader will face the second-place finisher of the opposite division in a best-of-3 series. The series will start the day following the conclusion of the regular season at the home of the second-place finisher and will conclude with Game 2 and Game 3, if necessary, at the home of the division winner. The winners of the series will earn the right to play in the Appalachian League Championship Series.

Following the completion of the first round, the winning teams will square off in a best-of-3 playoff that will begin at the home of the easternmost club in even-numbered years, such as 2010, and the home of the westernmost club in odd-numbered years. The Championship Series will conclude with Game 2 and Game 3, if necessary, at the opponent's park.