More than one set of voters

[peanut21]

Anyone have thoughts on having more than one set of voters, for example like NCAA Football, where you have the AP and the Coaches polls. This seems like a feature the USLIA program would like to have so that it falls in line with most other sports that utilize the checks and balances system of monitoring and ranking. For example, I was confused by some of the preseason and the first poll results for a couple of teams. I mean, on what basis were some of these teams ranked in certain spots. I can think of two off the top of my head who haven't manifested much in the last two seasons and they are toward the top. What is the criteria for placement? In my opinion, and as you can see I am newcomer to this forum, the criteria being used now appears to be a popularity contest or something like it, except of course for those at the tippy top of the poll. They have proven themselves during season and postseason play, but then again, they started the whole thing too and maybe don't want to let those top spots slip away.

[CATLAX MAN]

Anyone have thoughts on having more than one set of voters, for example like NCAA Football, where you have the AP and the Coaches polls.

My thought is that this is a bad thought. Just what we need is more controversy and uncertainty . Can you say BCS? Early season polls are not that meaningful, so we certainly don't need a 2nd one.

[peanut21]

Sure, I can say BCS and from what I've heard about that is that it seems to have patterned its criteria after that which is used in NCAA Lacrosse, with SOS, etc.

[Walter]

. They have proven themselves during season and postseason play, but then again, they started the whole thing too and maybe don't want to let those top spots slip away.

Where is Michael Moore when we need him to see if the top 7 teams are just voting for each other even though they are not the best teams. Someone please investigate because I think LU should be ranked #1 and BC should be ranked #2 and then FSU because i like them.

[CyLaxKeeper00]

One possible option would be to have a message board poll collected from the most knowledgeable members.

[laxfan25]

One possible option would be to have a message board poll collected from the most knowledgeable members.

Then we can have a poll to determine who the most knowledgeable members are...

[Bentiss]

Someone please investigate because I think LU should be ranked #1 and BC should be ranked #2 and then FSU because i like them.

LU? Who is that? You say it as if everyone should know...

Please clarify

[CyLaxKeeper00]

One possible option would be to have a message board poll collected from the most knowledgeable members.

Then we can have a poll to determine who the most knowledgeable members are...

sounds like a plan!

[benji]

Whatever polling system the USLIA uses or ever will use still relies on the human element. It would be nearly impossible for poll voters to make the perfect vote simply because of time and emergence.

No voter can watch every game, and its quite possible that the games they do happen to watch (if they watch any at all) will give them a certain bias (positive or negative) to the teams they have physically observed.

The USLIA doesn't allow just anyone to vote in the polls, so I'm confident that the people do select, while they may not be perfect, are some of the most qualified out there. Its perfectly natural for them to have a regional bias, and simple score comparison might be the only way for many to rank certain teams. Even if the league implemented a coach's poll, they would still be subject to the same setbacks as current voters are.

The USLIA isn't like that of the NCAA, in that a teams talent can shift very dramatically from year to year (this season is a great example). So regarding the preliminary polls, its basically a toss-up in reference to the end of the previous season.

[Sonny]

The USLIA doesn't allow just anyone to vote in the polls, so I'm confident that the people do select, while they may not be perfect, are some of the most qualified out there. Its perfectly natural for them to have a regional bias, and simple score comparison might be the only way for many to rank certain teams. Even if the league implemented a coach's poll, they would still be subject to the same setbacks as current voters are.

The MDIA doesn't select the voters in the poll. I do (as webmaster for the USLIA.com site). The poll is a combination media/coaches poll. Mostly MDIA Coaches though.

[Choppy49er]

It is immpossible to have a completely fair and impartial Poll. Because the rankings are all people's opinions. Yeah people are not as familiar with other league's and teams across the country, but that's life. All voters go through an application and screening process and are picked because they understand the game the most and can try to give a just comparison of teams.

If you really want a team noticed, let the team show it on the field.

[Gregg Pathiakis]

How to select poll voters was a topic at the winter meeting in Phily this year and they decided to stick with the system we've used in the past with Sonny selecting the voters. The EB get to approve/disapprove the pool, but it's basically all Sonny and he does a good job with it.

[CyLaxKeeper00]

One possible option would be to have a message board poll collected from the most knowledgeable members.

http://www.laxpower.com/polls/MD1Poll-2005-0307.php
Laxpower.com does a forum poll for DI with 17 voters (Apache, Artful Dodger, Baldo, ColumbiaBlueBlack, HU34, jhu7276, John Henry, Ketch, Lax Fidelis, PLB, Slash, timbucthree, Viper, VTD, whollymoly, WNY Lax, Wombat).

Anyone interested??

[Choppy49er]

But that is only Men's D-I, D-3, and Women's Polls. I think most of us are more equipped for MDIA insights. So I think it would be an interesting twist for us to have one here... just for kicks.

[tamu33]

I know I am game.

Here is a small list of voters that in my opinion are very well versed in the MDIA.

Catlax man
Onpoint - already a poll voter
Jessexy
Danny Hogan - already a poll voter
Hugh Nunn
DG
Bste_lax
Monkeylax
CSUalum32