Why different rulesets?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by bsnalex

This has been bugging me for a while - and it's not limited to softball, it's effectively every sport there is (except soccer).

But why in America do leagues and systems not play by rulesets that have been codified by the international governing body for the sport? I mean, the NBA doesn't play by FIBA rules, the NHL has it's own code. Softball has to be the worst perpetrators, having different rule sets for High School, NCAA, adult amateur etc. We've got NFHS, ASA, NCAA.

Why doesn't every system out there just play by ISF? At their hearts, the rules of the game are the same, but then each rule set has variations on the semantics of the game.

It just frustrates me from time to time--selfishly because my fed plays ISF so alot of these rulesets are lost on me and the board doesn't give me the help i usually need

Basketball was invented in the US. Why doesn't FIBA use USA rules?

Hockey was invented in Canada - why does some international group get to usurp the rules?

If soccer rules don't differ why are the field, ball, and goal sizes different by age? (If they are integrated into the rule book, why were the changes made?) And is there mandatory play in all soccer games?

Do you really want 8 year-old kids playing baseball on a 90' diamond with no pitching limits and no mandatory play?

Do you really want 8 year olds bouncing/rolling the ball to the plate from the international softball pitching distance?

Games are played by players of vastly differing ages and skills. Rules get adjusted to accommodate this.