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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 49 anonymousDiscussion: Playing Different Class Teams
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| June 25, 2018 BH44 Men's 50 74 posts | Playing Different Class Teams Not sure if this topic has been discussed in the past but was wondering how the rule came into place for when a upper class team plays a lower class team that they have to play by their rules? I think it puts the upper class team in a huge disadvantage by not only losing half their homeruns but also having to give 5 runs. Wouldn't it make more sense for the lower class team to be given the choice of either the 5 runs and let the high class team hit their homeruns or no runs and have them hit your homerun amount - just a thought as again this weekend in a round robin format there were 3 AAA & 3 Major teams with only one winner crowned. Major teams went from 6 to 3 homeruns and also gave 5 runs - puts them at a disadvantage as they are built to hit homeruns and then throw in 280 ft. fences - lots of homerun outs. |
| June 25, 2018 TimMcElroy 942 posts | I am of the opinion that a Major rated team has already shown itself to be better than average (i.e. AAA) on both sides of the ball. With that said- Offense- Major teams have the ability to score runs with a combination of power and base hitting. AAA teams have fewer home run hitters and therefore need to manufacture a high percentage of their runs. Defense- Major teams have stronger defensive players that will take away balls that might have been hits in the typical AAA vs AAA game. They are also less likely to commit errors. If the AAA team wasn't hitting balls over 280' fence, that confirms my point. In a 6 HR game, the offensive gap between Major and AAA is huge. |
| June 25, 2018 Duke Men's 65 908 posts | I could be getting this wrong, because I play in 3 different associations, and the rules can differ. I believe the rule is fair and correct, because I thought that when this situation occurs, that the team giving up 5 runs or an 11th fielder, is automatically the home team. Andy Smith |
| June 25, 2018 Gonedeep43 71 posts | When a Major Team has to play a AAA, the Major Team has 12 potential runs taken away and 5 runs given. So, if my math is correct, that's 17 runs that a AAA team benefits from. How about the Major team keep its 6 hrs if it has to allow the 5 runs? The times we played a Major plus, we played straight up. |
| June 25, 2018 TimMcElroy 942 posts | Gonedeep43- Nobody is taking 12 runs from the major team. The major team can still score 5 runs per inning but need to earn them without the long ball. |
| June 26, 2018 grayhitter59 Men's 60 345 posts | My only issue with the home runs being cut to three, the pitcher is now at risk from the big hitters, who have to swing down. My 2 cents |
| June 26, 2018 Crusher23 Men's 55 53 posts | I think it's great that lower classification teams have the opportunity to play up to the next class. This allows them to get their feet wet at the next level ahead of what should eventually be their next step. I agree with everything Tim stated about the gap between levels, it is very real and the equalizer rules are fair to compensate for that gap. However, I do think that in addition to the five run (or extra fielder) equalizer the lower rated teams should always have the option to play the game at the higher rated teams rules, if they wish. I play on a major team that when we come up against a major plus team we will always offer to play up to their rules. Sometimes the turny says OK, but sometimes they won't allow it. What I'm saying is that this option to play up should be written into the SSUSA rules so it universal among all SSUSA events. |
| June 26, 2018 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | Crusher23 ... The equalizer is NOT required to be taken, and the choice is always at the sole option of the team slated to receive it ... It would be a tournament director error to impose the equalizer on a mandatory basis ... We see many circumstances where the equalizer is declined, more so in seeding/pool play than in bracket ... The most common reasons are as you stated (how do we match up at the next level?) and to get back into a coin-flip for home team (a 50/50% proposition) rather than taking the equalizer and automatically being visitor ... |
| June 26, 2018 Crusher23 Men's 55 53 posts | Hi Dave, yes, the equalizer is indeed optional, but the right to play up to the higher rated teams rules should also be an option as well. That option to play up to the higher level rules is what is not always offered to the lower rated team and I think that it should be. We just went through this at the CT Master games and no lower rated teams were allowed to play up to the higher level teams rules, even though most of the lower rated teams asked to do so. |
| June 26, 2018 TimMcElroy 942 posts | Crusher23- I was the TD and schedule writer for the recently completed CT Masters games. I was on site at Smith Park (not Sage, where the 50s played). Teams were not denied the option of taking the equalizer, but were required to play by established rules governing home runs of the lower rated team. Major Plus vs Major = 6 HR Major vs AAA = 3 HR Here's why I (personally) think it's important to play by the rules- CONSISTENCY IN RATINGS How can we claim to have a NATIONAL ratings policy if teams in Connecticut are playing by one set of rules while teams in Florida, Kansas and California are playing by their own sets of rules? |
| June 27, 2018 Crusher23 Men's 55 53 posts | Good point Tim, about the consistency in ratings - something I hadn't considered. Hey, good job with CT Turny, it was an enjoyable weekend with lots of good teams. As always, thank you for the opportunity to play in yet another senior tournament - I don't take any senior turny for granted and am grateful for every opportunity to play competitive ball with and against my peers. |
