Speaking of Mercy Rules

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

As I noted in the other thread of this same topic, NYS has a 15 run rule after 5. HOWEVER, it doesn not apply to what NY calls 'modified' level - i.e., 7th & 8th grade games . This, of course forments a potential for some very UGLY games. However, more and more, we have been trying to get coaches to agree to a 'handshake' mercy rule of 15 after after 5, or two hours, whichever happens first! So here is a situation I had early this year, and I would appreciate any and all comments:


Team A is the home team, and Team B is the visitors. Both coaches agree prior to the game for the 15 run rule after 5. Both coaches, as is the norm in this level, are fairly new. Team A is a far superior team, its obvious that some of the kids have played not only a year or so of school ball, but also play summer ball . Team B looks like that 90% of the kids have played maybe 2 or 3 GAMES in their lives..literally swinging at anything, bad throws, the whole bit. Team B also had come on the same bus as their modified baseball team (imagine THAT bus?).

We finish T5 with Team A up something like 25-0, I assume naturally that the game is over and start off the field, roling the balls towards the home team.....well.....Team B's coach comes over, and says " Oh..we decided to keep playing...we have to wait for the baseball game to be done anyways..." So I pick up the game balls,say nothing, and we continue, Team A tacking another 5 or 6 runs on their lead of ycourse. THEN ,when Team B's coach comes out for B6, I pull her aside, and tell her, as nicely and subtly as possible, about how going beyond the 'handshake ' puts not only her kids, but the school at risk. I literally had to spell everything out to her - apparently the word 'liability' was not in her vocabulary! FINALLY a light went on in her head, we let her kids take their three quick AB's, and got the hell out of there.

Did I handle this properly? should I have:

A. Just have left after the 4 1/2? ( I felt at the time that would have looked REAL bad..)

B. Been more direct to Team B's coach after B5? ("Coach lets end this NOW")

C. Say nothing, and let them play as long as they wanted?

I feel I handled it as fairly as possible, without looking like I wanted to go home early.

any other options I might have employed?