Section V Run Rule

[Softball Dad]

Why do we have a run rule in softball in Section V? Do they have one in baseball? Section III dosen't have one why do we. The whole state should be the same. It is not fair that teams in section III and others sections would be able to pad individual and team stats beating on weaker teams. Thereby playing more innings equals more runs, hits, singles, doubles, triples, homeruns, at bats, innings etc. On the pitching side more strikeouts, innnings, better ERA, etc.
Why would the state allow this. Lets get rid of the run rule and make everyone equal.

[DSport]

I agree that every section should be the same but I think the solution would be to enforce the run rule in every section. It doesn't help anyone to beat a team 45-0.

[OldSchool78]

I whole heartedly support a run rule throughout the state. I bet if you could run the score up on a team you would. Just from the tone of your post, you make me nervous.

[hilly]

i'm all for the rule. softball games can get really ugly really fast if a team has no pitching and the other team has good hitting. if you follow the scores you will see more lopsided scores in softball than any other sport

[Softball Dad]

Listen Dan I am just doing what this web site is all about. bringing up ideas to see what others think about them. I didn't bring up a score of 45-0 smoeone else did. Also as someone else said most coaches would hold off when it got to be to much. I as a travel coach have been on both ends of softball games like that. But I have seen scores of 28-0, 25-0, and 28-7 in section III this year. If the whole state had a run rule that would be fair. I as a parent love to watch as much as possible. and hate to go and see games end early. As far as the stats go they post state records on the Section V web site. If some sections don't have the same rules they can pad their stats towards records. Just think how many strike outs Jordan Ingalls or Lindsey Grace are losing compared to their counterparts in Sections that don't have run rules. I have a right to my opinion and you have yours. Just because they differ dosen't mean you have to act like a kid. I just wanted to see if others knew about different things and how they felt abot them.

[DSport]

I was just throwing a score out there and wasn't particularly talking about any one incident. I think that if the stats get looked at for recognition then the sections should have the same rules governing how those stats are obtained. I don't care either way if there is a run rule or not but I think everyone should have the same rule. Maybe this isn't the place to bring it up if you want results but this is the place to bring it up if you want to discuss it. That's why it's a discussion board.

[OldSchool78]

You are more concerned with stats than anything else. Why do you care if the pitcher in Section 111 has more strikeouts facing inferior opponents? Your daughter is undoubtedly a player. Parents ruin the fun for their kids. My advice to you would be to just sit back, enjoy the game. Don't let stats cloud your perspective. There are way more important things to worry about. I know you didn't ask for my advice, I just wanted to offer it. There is an old saying.....Stats are for losers. You wouldn't want to be thought of as a loser......would you???

[Softball Dad]

Acting like a kid would be what you did when calling me a jerk. I am sorry that when reading my previous post this was the opinion you developed. Obviously my responce didn't please you.

I don't recall ever saying that you were the one who talked about a 45-0 score either, since I did not quote anyone.

You are right, everyone is entitled to their opinion, I don't remember ever telling you that you weren't.

As far as stat padding goes, have you ever watched an NFL game? How many Buffalo Bills games have there been when Drew Bledsoe was the QB and the Bills were losing by 21 points with 2-3 minutes left? Bledsoe would drive 80 yards when the other team didn't care and rack up lame stats. The bottom line is getting the victory is, and always will be, far more important than stats. Stats are for the water cooler.

Your response didn't please me, but that is exactly what you were looking for! Correction Acting like a Kid is what you did when you told me if I didn't like it I should move to Section III. Also you can't compare the Buffalo Bills with Section V softball. The NFL has a Strict set of Rules that Govern the whole league. NYS dose not! That was my whole point. But you being the youngster you are. Delight in trying to put other people down to make yourself feel good.
You are correct the bottom line is getting the victory. And most teams would back off if they knew that the game was getting out of control. Like I said, I have had coached games on both side of that equation.
I just threw out the difference between sections in state play to see what other people thought. Because I thought that it wasn't right for the state to have different rules in different sections. What other rules could be different?

But you just like to belittle people. Instead of insulting people for their opinions you could just tell how you felt without the extra attacks.

[Rams15]

Fact: high school softball games are generally a 7 inning game.
Fact: games can sometimes take forever when one team is hitting the ball well, one team's defense is suspect ( at best ) or another's pitcher is walking everyone
Question: clarify for me ( I am a baseball guy ) is the run rule 10 or 15 runs after the game is considered " complete " ?
Opinion: Who determines if it is in the best interest of one or both teams to end a contest because of a run rule ? The rulebook does at this point, I assume ?! I am guessing that this rule is in place ( in lieu of a coach agreeing to ending a contest or finishing all 7 innings ) because there are some coaches out there who will not give in due to stubborness or concede defeat because it is viewed as making some sort of concession. ( or giving in ) This is a sign of weakness to some. Most coaches, I believe, would, however, agree to end a contest with a reasonable run rule given most situations.


I suggest that fair play ( in this situaion ) should override any consideration of stats, league standings, or anything else. I remember playing Dansville ( as a coach ) in 1981. We beat them at Bath 25-1 and ended the contest ( agreeably between the coaches...there was no run rule at the time ) in the 5th inning. There was no point in extending play for anyone. No player, fan, or coach was getting anything out of this. However, we met the same team in the 1st round of sectionals and had to exhaust ourselves to beat them 1-0 in 10 innings. There is no shame to conceding that your team is having a bad day by following a run rule, in my opinion. Different day, sometimes a different result. I say keep it !!!!!

[UNCTarheels]

In Baseball. No run rule. In october of 1998, the NYSPHSAA waived baseball's run rule. A league or section may not use the rule without the approval of the NYSPHSAA's governing board. THIS DOES NOT PROHIBIT AN INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL OR COACH ENDING A CONTEST PRIOR TO ITS FULL COMPLETION FOR WHATEVER REASON.

Although it doesn't always happen, COMMON SENSE SHOULD PREVAIL.

I've seen games where it's the bottom of the 5th and home team is winning 8-0 and score 7 runs to end the game, leaving lack of time for some subs to get into the game for more than one at bat. Some not at all.