Mercy Rule

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Altor

Why the need for the running clock when one can shorten the game directly? Even in Ohio (where the OP mentioned there's no running clock mercy rule), the coaches can agree to shorten the game or end it at any time. I heard of one game in these parts where they ran 8 minute quarters for the 3rd and 4th a couple weeks ago. If that's not enough, shorten it to 4 minutes or just call the game completely.

We had a game a few seasons ago where the score was 56-0 at halftime. The visiting team had about 16 players and a few were injured in the first half.

EVEN WITH A RUNNING CLOCK, the visiting team wanted to shorten the quarters. The home team coach was annoyed at this and I had to mediate this. Personally, I didn't care one way or the other, but it was an unpleasant thing.

Imagine if we had to deal with this every week just to have a running clock.

I like the running clock rule, but the 35 point margin shouldn't be the only thing that dictates clock mechanics. If a team pulls to 34 with 6 minutes left, the clock should still run.