Tom,
I can remember the years when Region 6
had even more teams, and we played a full
round-robin. Philbin-like dramatics aside, I think the full
round-robin is best--crowning as champion the team with the
best record.
Besides, a nine-team round-robin
followed by an eight-team double elimination will require
15 packets. But, an 18-team full round-robin would
require 18 packets (assuming a one-game playoff, if
necessary) and a minimum of 17 rounds. In the full
round-robin everyone plays everyone else (more fellowship and
comraderie!), and the likelihood of needing that playoff packet
is very small after 17 rounds are played.
Ah,
for the days of the 24-team full
round-robin!
--Albert