high school game-ending procedures
 

I am curious as to which "mercy" rules are used for high school softball in different states. Illinois has adopted 10 after 5. A 15 after 3 rule would have been a tremendous help to me during a blowout game last weekend.

Arizona is 10 after 5, and just this year instituted a 15 after 3 1/2 or 4 at the option of the losing coach. If he chooses to continue playing the game must go 4 1/2 or 5 innings.

I believe here in Virginia, the adoption of the "10 after 5" run rule is delegated down to the district level. I say that because our association put out a guidance document for our region (four districts) that indicates both run rules and the use of ITB.

All four of our districts adopted the 10-run rule for regular season play. For district tournaments, one district does not use the 10-run rule, while the other three do.

For region and state tournaments, the 10-run rule is not an option.

"10 after 5" in Southern California and I believe all of the CIF.

In Georgia, we convinced the GHSA several years ago that the suggested 10 after 5 was a carryover from slowpitch rules (shared rulebook; that does match slowpitch run rules). As a result, our state adoptions match ASA; tiebreaker in the top of the 8th, 15 after 3, 12 after 4, and 8 after 5. Universally, not an option anywhere.

I wish our state would adopt the ASA rule.

I had a varsity game earlier this season in sub-freezing wind chills where the visitors had a 15-1 lead after four (would have ended then under ASA). Bottom of five, the home team scored five runs to make it 15-6 (again would have ended under ASA), forcing a sixth inning. :(

Top of the sixth, the visitors scored six runs, and the game finally ended 21-6 after six. I think my partner and I were out there almost 2-1/2 hours.

Speaking of ITB, our state leaves it up to the districts. But if adopted, it doesn't go into effect until the 9th inning (I don't know why...)

FL: 15 after 3, 10 after 5. No tie breaker.

We also go with the 1 after 7 rule... Yuk, yuk.

I've said 1 after 7 before and people just look at me like, "uh... well ah nevr hurdathatwun. Zit new?"

Texas only requires that schools use the 10 after 5 rule, but allows districts to include the 15 after 3.

1 after 7 is, though, my favorite.

How about one after 6 1/2?

I've said that every now and then. I had one coach who stayed at the plate after our conference was over ask me to explain that one to him.

Minnesota--10 after 5 with no tie breaker. Also, games that are not official and need to be stopped (generally for weather) are suspended and will restart from the point of interruption.

Nebraska ---- 12 after 3 (or 2 1/2), 10 after 4 (or 3 1/2), 8 after 5 (or 4 1/2)

I worked a HS tournament a few weeks ago. They had mercy rules and time limits in effect. Since inclement weather was forecast for the weekend, they also published alternate mercy rules and game time limits to be implemented if necessary. It became necessary....

Time limit - 1:15
Game length - 5 innings
Mercy rules - 8 after 3, 6 after 4, 4 after 5

We ended up changing the last one.......

How are you paid for resumed games?