when do you stop playing baseball?

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by andrewm

WindyCityBlue, there is a huge difference between beating a team and humiliating a team. I see no advantage to beating a team 20-0 versus 10-0 in drafted league play. You end up looking like a bully. In drafted leagues it is more about having fun than winning. Sure you play to win. But you can also win with class. I coach every game to win, but little Johnny is just as happy with a 10-0 win versus a 20-0 win. And little Jimmy on the other team still has some self esteem left.

You just never know when your team might be on the other side of that 20-0 score...

Bobby Bowden of Florida State used to be accused of running up the score in a football game. His answer which I agree with is: The Third / Fourth String plus kids who do not suit up for every game were playing.

What are you going to tell a kid who hardly plays, Just take a knee on every play.

In baseball, there are many kids who do not get to play all that much. When the game is a blow-out it gives the coach a chance to play these kids which otherwise wouldn't see any action.

So while I agree it's humiliating for a team to beat someone 20-0, it's not humiliating if the coach is putting in their "extra" players to get playing time. In addition, that's why ALL Leagues should have a Mercy Rule.

In addition, if a team does get beat by that score, then they are probably in a league over their heads to begin with and should go down a "notch" and play in a league where they can compete.

Pete Booth