The LL Mercy Rule:

<i>4.10 (e) If after four (4) innings (Junior/Senior/Big League - five innings), three and one-half innings (Junior/Senior/Big League - four and one-half innings) if the home team is ahead, one team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the manager of the team with the least runs shall concede the victory to the opponent. <u>NOTE: (1) If the visiting team has a lead of ten (10) runs or more, the home team must bat in its half of the inning.</u> (2) The Local League may adopt the option of not utilizing this rule.</i>

Rich,

Thank you for the Rule Reference. I am always willing to learn and the fact that this is in the rule book is good to know.

OK, the umps blew it. If they are volunteers, then they have a reason. If your league is paying them, then they have no excuse for blowing this.

No league can have a "made-up" rule for the 10 run mercy. It is either adopted or not. No in between. Obviously it was adopted.

This should go to a board for determination. Protest should be upheld and game played from point of protest.

Now, there are many people that don't umpire, but know what a good umpire is. Just because they don't put on the "blues" doesn't mean they aren't knowledgeable. That is real pompous thinking. There are moms in the stands that know more than some of the umpires that I have worked with.

Don't ever think that just because someone where's a title deserves the title. Let's take our selected clergy as an example.

Good Bad and Ugly
 

FED allows for a state to adopt the 10 run rule... I believe most do adopt this rule.

4-2-2 ...By state association adoption, the game shall end when the visiting team is behind by 10 or more runs after 4-1/2 innings, or after the fifth inning, if either team is 10 runs behind and both teams have had an equal number of times at bat.

Bad umpires!? Horrible?

We can't all be good... somebody's got to pull up the low end of the spectrum.
:D

Of course there is always the possibility that they will improve... I've seen it happen!

Well thank you all for sharing your knowldge and experience with me. And I apologize for my overly harsh criticism of these particular officials. I am a patient man, I do not ever blow up at umpires (occasional arguements, but never out of control or unprofessional), I try to teach my kids the true meaning of the game and not just about winning. I repsect the hell out of you officials, and everyone else that volunteers their time (even if getting paid as well) to keep this great game thriving. I think I let a 1/2 a season of frustration out when I posted here. Anyway, thank you all again. Very much appreciated.