Stall solution

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May 13, 2012
599
18
I know there was a lengthy discussion under the shameful post but DW had brilliant idea. Timed games she said treat it like other timed sports, when time called for sub or what ever stop the clock. I said not every field or scoreboard will have timer. Her, put timer in umps bag. Me balls etc could accidentally hit stop button. Her, put it around FU neck like a.coach in track or something. So I'm down to last argument and say stopping time whole game for everything would negate the purpose of timed games and disrupt scedule. Her, do it like rec BB where clock only stops during last x minutes left on the clock. So I thought on it and the only way to manipulate the clock would be offense leaving early or stepping on plate to hasten end of inning. Everything else I could think of from shoe tying to subs requires someone to ask for time. Others may think of something but everything else I thought of the ump has control of under delay of game ruling. I agree with most don't let time be a factor and win early. Sometimes 2 evenly matched teams in drop dead.pool games time seems to always come.into play.
 
Sep 14, 2011
768
18
Glendale, AZ
I know there was a lengthy discussion under the shameful post but DW had brilliant idea. Timed games she said treat it like other timed sports, when time called for sub or what ever stop the clock. I said not every field or scoreboard will have timer. Her, put timer in umps bag. Me balls etc could accidentally hit stop button. Her, put it around FU neck like a.coach in track or something. So I'm down to last argument and say stopping time whole game for everything would negate the purpose of timed games and disrupt scedule. Her, do it like rec BB where clock only stops during last x minutes left on the clock. So I thought on it and the only way to manipulate the clock would be offense leaving early or stepping on plate to hasten end of inning. Everything else I could think of from shoe tying to subs requires someone to ask for time. Others may think of something but everything else I thought of the ump has control of under delay of game ruling. I agree with most don't let time be a factor and win early. Sometimes 2 evenly matched teams in drop dead.pool games time seems to always come.into play.

In theory...this sounds like a solution to the percieved "stalling" problem. Lots of issues in practically applying it however, not to mention that it would defeat the purpose of the time imit in the first place.

1. Softball is a game designed NOT to have a time clock....it is a specific number of innings. No National Ruling body (ASA, USSSA, NSA, etc) is probably willing to write rules for a timed game concerning when to start and stop the clock .

2. That leaves the responsibility to a local tournament/ league for their games. As as has been demonstrated many times, when local leagues/tournaments make rules, they are often not well thought through and don't address the many permutations and relationships to other rules of the game.

3. Who sets the standard for when to start and stop the clock? Say that the clock stops when the umpire grants a request for time for a substitution, defensive or offensive conference, etc.....when does the clock restart? What about the batter tying her shoes, adjusting her batting gloves, etc? do we stop the clock for this? Again, if we do, when does it restart?

Add to the fact that the answers to these questions would most likely be different from tournament to tournament and league to league, that would only add to the layers of problems created.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
First off drop dead games are just idiotic. I have never played in one and would only do it for a showcase tournament. When you have finish the inning ones at least each
team gets a fair shot. I have no problem with a rule that time outs in the last 10 minutes stop the clock. It's not that hard to monitor. The problem though is that I think
that you would see times changed to 1:10 versus 1:15 which would just move the problem up 5 minutes.

Another solution would be to use the last 10 minute rules for bracket games and let pool plays go. TD's should leave 1:45 for bracket games anyway as the potential for and ITB sets the whole day behind. They already have the fields from Saturday so it can be done.
 
Feb 15, 2013
650
18
Delaware
Drop dead games are only good for showcases as canyonjoe stated. NSA actually stops the clock the last 5 minutes on timeouts called, but this doesn't really do anything for the game as far as stopping teams from stalling.

Ways to speed up the game or get more opportunities.

1. Don't have your team take a ball out on defense to throw around the field for what seems like 5 minutes. (unless you're winning lol)
2. 1 warm up pitch and down
3. Stop high fiving after every out in the circle (unless you're winning lol)
4. hustle on and off the field (younger ages need to learn this)
5. Don't take 15 swipes at the dirt in the batters box clearing away the lines and kicking dirt on home plate
6. Have your catchers clean off home so that the ump doesn't take 15 seconds to do it every batter, calling time walking out around the plate and then kicking dirt on it after cleaning it anyway because he/she is older and doesn't move so well
7. Argue less calls
8. Have courtesy runners ready and waiting

I have thought of ways to prevent stalling and the only way is to be winning.
9.
 

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