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Online now: 2 members: Rick1218, scottflodin; 23 anonymousDiscussion: Unfair Equalizer when 60AAA team plays a 65AAA
| Posted | Discussion |
| Aug. 23 BattyMatty Men's 60 19 posts | I have a problem with the equalizer rule when a 60AAA team plays a 65AAA team. According to the rule as explained to me, the 65AAA team gets 5 runs and the extra fielder in the middle. This is a double equalizer and a huge advantage for the 65 team. What would be fair is to play according to 65AAA rules and provide the extra fielder to the 60 team too. And then give the 5 runs to the 65 team. As it stands now it amounts to the equivalent of giving the 65 team 10 runs. I come to this assertion because when usually dealing with an equalizer the umpire asks the manager of the team getting the advantage if he wants 5 runs or the extra fielder. |
| Aug. 23 DaveDowell Men's 70 4321 posts | Batty ... I suspect your "problem" stems from your misconception that an age 65+ team playing 11 defensive players is being given an equalizer ... It's not ... ALL teams are entitled to play with their base defensive alignment, regardless of who they may play and the rating of that opponent ... The "youngsters" have had this misconception for decades ... And the "oldsters" don't hesitate to claim that allowed 11th defender as a concession to their age! ... BTW, an umpire asking a team if they want the five runs or the extra defender is asking a proper question ONLY if the team receiving the equalizer is age 60+ or younger ... In your hypothetical fact pattern, a 12th defender is not an allowed option ... |
| Aug. 23 BattyMatty Men's 60 19 posts | Dave, the 60AAA team does not get an extra fielder when playing the 65AAA. I was proposing they get the 11th fielder not the 12th and then give the 65 team their 5 runs. When a 60AAA team plays a 60AA we go by their rules and can only hit one homerun and they get 5 runs. In sticking with this logic of going by the rules of the lesser ranked team why not apply it when we play a 65AAA team? They are used to competing against other teams with 11 fielders anyway. There is not as big an age difference as you think as we have several players who are 64 as many 60AAA teams do. |
| Aug. 23 TimMcElroy 942 posts | There IS a difference in mobility as you climb the age ladder. It is SSUSA's belief that the 65 yr old age group is where the decline shows itself on the men's side. You may disagree with that, but that is how the Association sees it. There are a few 65s teams out there that don't "need" the 11th defender but they are in the minority. A high % of men's teams age 65+ don't have infielders with the range to cover the middle. |
