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Online now: 6 members: HardHat 15, Runner Blue, Sean H, TABLE SETTER 11, Wheat99, drew28; 101 anonymousDiscussion: Mercy Rule,
| Posted | Discussion |
| Oct. 3, 2012 rightrj1 Men's 55 286 posts | Mercy Rule, WE played a game in Vegas where we were down 27 runs going into the 5th inning. I know the mercy rule is 20 after 4 and 15 after 5. Coming to bat in the bottom of 5th the most runs we could score would be 9 which would still leave us 16 runs short so it would still be a mercy. We decided not to bat, since we couldn’t catch up! My question is shouldn’t all games be played with an open inning regardless of the SCORE? If we had scored our 9 or whatever runs in the bottom ½ of the inning, shouldn’t the flip fop rule come into play and the open inning started? Thus giving us the chance to win the game if possible instead of being mercy? |
| Oct. 3, 2012 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | You made no mention that the 5th was the last inning only you could not score enough... I am not trying to guess on it, though I figure that is what you meant. Unless the UMP says you need to score xxx number to remain in the game or it's over you, still need to play it out. Ih he remained quite which most do, the game is 7 innings, so if you had time left you should have at least given it a shot. jmo. Cost too much to just up and give up. |
| Oct. 3, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Scott, if you know the mercy rule, know the deficit, and know how many runs you are allowed to score in that 5th inning, you can pretty much to the math without needing any words from the ump. |
| Oct. 3, 2012 tattooball 774 posts | I know what game you are talking about, my buddy was playing first base for sportsplex. Here is the thing, there are to many rules for senior softball. Back in the 90's useing .47/525 balls and aluminum bats games were 7 innings, no time limits, unlimited home runs. Games lasted 1 hour to 1.5 hours. Scores were between 10 and 20 runs per game. Now with the new equipment it is an offensive game so all kind of rules had to be put in place. Imagine playing vegas without any rules like they have. You would probably still be there playing. |
| Oct. 3, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | You hit the nail on the head. Twice.....:) I know, I repeat, but as I have been saying the special bats have created perceived needs for all sorts of whacky rules. The senior game is shooting itself in the foot. But as long as 400+ teams come to Vegas (as if they are all there for the softball) no one will pay attention to the 3-team brackets that abound the rest of the year. |
| Oct. 3, 2012 rightrj1 Men's 55 286 posts | Traits, The ump had told us the mercy rule was in effect, base on us being 27 runs down & since he hadn’t called open inning prior to the inning starting. We were the home team. Tattooball, I understand what you say about the rules,but since there is a run limit per inning, until the open, I just think, that no matter what inning or what the score a open inning should be played! |
| Oct. 3, 2012 Gary19 Men's 50 2609 posts | Do you think, in your case, an open sixth inning should have been played since it would have been too late to have the fifth be open? |
| Oct. 3, 2012 tattooball 774 posts | Here is the problem I see with that. Game was over because your team didn't score enough runs within the rules. Now you get an open inning and suddenly get hot and score say 30 runs. Now the team that played the game by the rules and won has been in the field for an hour in heat and come in go 123. Game over and they lose. How is that fair? It could work against your team as well. You guys just had a bad game, it happens but I don't think more rules is going to help anyone in this. If this was reversed I really don't believe you would be trying to get the rule changed to help them. |
| Oct. 3, 2012 rightrj1 Men's 55 286 posts | I’m not trying to be a sore loser….Either way, I just think there should always be an open inning….Sport Plex played great, they hit the crap out the ball, not taking noting away from them! |
| Oct. 3, 2012 tattooball 774 posts | I don't think you are being a sore loser, I just think that the game was played by the rules. They didn't change during the game. More rules is not a good idea. They have to have a meeting every year to discuss rules changes as it is. Every year you have to figure out what the new rules are. Prior to the super bats that game was played for 95 years with the same rules, other than moving bases and mounds back. It easn't til the technology forced rule changes in the 80's. I remember when there was no divisions just a softball game. |
| Oct. 3, 2012 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | Interesting situation. Which rule do you want to disregard, time or runs. Time had not expired therefore an open inning could not be declared, max runs scored and you still have run rule. IMO opinion when you limit the runs per inning you offset with an open inning. By allowing a run rule for the Major+ this is something that could occur and did to our GSF team. We welcomed the opportunity to get off the field. No sense in wearing our guys out any further. Live to fight another day. I remember being on the losing end of a 58-43, 5 inning game in 1984ish, home team did not bat. I am sure they will visit the rule during the winter, but I really don't have a problem with it. |
| Oct. 3, 2012 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | the problem with a mercey rule when runs are limited per inning till the open inning,is that a team may get off to a bad start and not have a chance to catch up because they can only score so many runs per inning....i say if there is a runs per inning rule,then ya should play it out till the open inning,and iuf need be,do a flip-flop if the home team is down a bunch.....how many times has a team been on a roll in an inning and had to stop because they have score the limit,they might have been able to catch up if allowed to keep scoring...to me if there is a mercey rule,then the team behind should be given the chance to at least score enough runs to be able to come out of the mercey situation even if it is a run limit inning ...... |
| Oct. 3, 2012 boston Men's 60 355 posts | This is a tough one for me because I have never been an advocate of the mercy rule idea at any level. These rules were made so kids wouldn't feel bad about getting their posteriors handed to them. In my eyes, all it has done is foster a younger society of mediocre athletes and coaches. No need to worry about putting in any extra work because the opponent can only beat use by so much. Just like the rule where everyone makes the eam and everone gets a trophy. Most of you guys must remember the days when we took our whippings and that was that. If you didn't like the feeling you worked harder at practice and on your own to get better. If the teams are in the same division all should be equal. I believe if we pay we should play the full time limit or 7 innings. Whether it is seniors or any other league for adults. We are grown men I don't need a mercy rule to keep me from feeling bad about getting my butt kicked. I got friends and a wife to do that for me. lol |
| Oct. 4, 2012 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | actually boston the mercy rule has been around for a long time.i remember it being used back in the late 80's for tourney's....it was instituted to keep tourney's on time,or as close to it as possible....now for league,yes finish the time limit.... |
| Oct. 4, 2012 LP 317 posts | one problem i see rightrj1 is that you could not have been down 27 runs going into the 5th inning, since you can only score 5 runs pre inning the most the score could be is 15 to zero. |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | rightrj plays M+-9 runs an inning-could have been down 36-0 after 4. |
| Oct. 4, 2012 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | Major Plus is 9 runs per inning |
| Oct. 4, 2012 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Too slow again, 4b |
| Oct. 6, 2012 mad dog Men's 65 4191 posts | hey web,ya know mike has never been noted for his speed....LOL.... |
