Should conceding defeat be allowed?

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

As an umpire, why would you care if a team chose not to continue a game?

What are you going to do, tell them to "play, or else?" If this was a tournament, it was probably in the best interest of all concerned, including teams waiting to play the next game on that field, to terminate the game an move on with the tournament.

This is not an umpire issue.

Exactly. This is not an umpire issue. So, no umpire should be trying to talk a coach into quitting.

Joe

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Never QUIT! Its possible to comback...Heres a story for you...one of my partners told me this...he was behind the plate for a softball game that 56 runs scored total. in the forth inning, home team was down by 19 runs. In the bottom of the 4th, they came back and scored 10 runs, meaning the game would continue, no mercy rule. they went on to win the game in the bottom of the 6th inning.

[John Robertson]

Just to clarify a few things...

I did not talk the team into quitting--my partner did. I had no idea what he was discussing with the coach until he told me what the conversation was about prior to the fourth inning.

Personally, I would not have suggested the idea to the coach either. However, I think it's not an entirely bad rule to institute. A team is getting creamed. They're totally outclassed. Having the option of honorably conceding defeat is not so terrible an idea. Just my opinion, though.

Yes, there have been some miraculous comebacks--but it wasn't going to happen in this game. There is a better chance of a Royals-Pirates World Series this year than the team that was losing 18-0 coming back to win that game. I was there.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by John Robertson

Just to clarify a few things...

I did not talk the team into quitting--my partner did. I had no idea what he was discussing with the coach until he told me what the conversation was about prior to the fourth inning.

Personally, I would not have suggested the idea to the coach either. However, I think it's not an entirely bad rule to institute. A team is getting creamed. They're totally outclassed. Having the option of honorably conceding defeat is not so terrible an idea. Just my opinion, though.

Yes, there have been some miraculous comebacks--but it wasn't going to happen in this game. There is a better chance of a Royals-Pirates World Series this year than the team that was losing 18-0 coming back to win that game. I was there.

I will clarify, as well. I think that a team should quit if they want to. My only beef is with an umpire engaging in ANY type of conversation trying to get a team to quit.

[Mountaineer]

I have no problem with an umpire in passing working the conversation to the winning coach to the point he talks about how bad the game is. I can usually get them to say, "These games aren't any fun to umpire or play."

"Well, coach, you can help determine how long we play. I don't think you'll probably win this game without scoring another run - let me know if you're gonna have players step off or anything. . ."

I'm sure there are some that will have a problem with that - but I don't. I didn't ASK or TELL him to do anything. Instead, I put an idea in his mind that will help the suffering on everyone's part end sooner.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I have no problem with an umpire in passing working the conversation to the winning coach to the point he talks about how bad the game is. I can usually get them to say, "These games aren't any fun to umpire or play."

"Well, coach, you can help determine how long we play. I don't think you'll probably win this game without scoring another run - let me know if you're gonna have players step off or anything. . ."

I'm sure there are some that will have a problem with that - but I don't. I didn't ASK or TELL him to do anything. Instead, I put an idea in his mind that will help the suffering on everyone's part end sooner.

Way out of line. I don't chat it up with the coaches at ALL...ESPECIALLY not a conversation trying to get the coach to quit. You are borrowing trouble.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Way out of line. I don't chat it up with the coaches at ALL...ESPECIALLY not a conversation trying to get the coach to quit. You are borrowing trouble.

You TOTALLY misread then - you might want to reread. I have no problem with talking to coaches. In my experience, it's the opposite that gets you into trouble. Of course there are times when you stay the hell away - but talking between innings is not a problem for me.