Thread: Timed Games or 7 innings

My team played in one a few years back that had pool play of 75 minutes drop dead... no revert. Meaning, whatever the score when time ran out was how it was scored. So, if you won the coin flip you always took visitors so you could bat first. That usually meant you batted more times than the "Home" team. It was really weird.

Usually pool games are drop dead 60...and yes take goobies advice always pick visitors if you win the coin toss, won a couple pool games that way. Normal bracket is 75 or 80, I don't know how you could run any kind of organized tournament without time limits unless you want to do like another poster said and drive home at midnight every tournament.

One reason that people like HS ball is that it is a straight 7 innings. I have never liked time limits, which were only created to make money at the expense of the real game. 60 minute time limits is not real softball.

Originally Posted by GTRH8R

Time limits certainly change the dynamics of how a game is coached and how it is played. I think I've seen a gateway game make it to to the 5th once, but it's been about an average of three in my experience. The associations around her load up with teams and the tourneys and probably make a killing off a weekend of softball.

Points to note: Above is why there are time limits. If a team plays and averages 3 innings per hour or less, something is wrong.

Time limits exists to control the tournaments. It have been the carrot chasers who have placed the emphasis on the number of games to be had and are seemingly willing to pay to play those games. That means more teams at more fields in a limited time frame that often includes travel for the participants.

ASA does not support any time limit less than 100 minutes for any FP game. However, TD do have the authority to adjust regular play in situations necessary to complete the tournament. Any other time limit you incur during play is that of the local organization.

Many people who complain about these issues have no perception of the resources used, including volunteers and umpires, that go into these tournaments.

Damn a time limit!!

Originally Posted by softballphreak

I'd rather play a 4-inning game than a time-limited game. That's 4-innings-plus if necessary to avoid a tie. The only thing worse than a time limit would be a tie!

Just wait 'til the TD realize they can still fill their parks with 3-inning games if they promise enough college coaches in attendance. Or maybe they'll charge by the hour and you can play as long as you want.

The real problem with that is that some would say, "no problem, how much you want?" Too many people still think kids are discovered on the fields, playing games..

Originally Posted by GOINGDEEP

Maybe it's just me, but the time limit games involve more coaching skills and in some cases bush league moves or tactics. ( biggest being stalling )

Straight seven, I can sit back and let the girls run the game ( mostly ). For me the 7 seem more relaxed to the girls too, they know exactly how long to hold the lead or make a comeback, pitchers can work the batters and not keep looking at the clock on the scoreboard.

Agree. There's more "implied pressure" when you're playing against the clock. If you have a good hitting team vs. a good defensive team, if you play 7, generally the good hitters are going to get their hits. Now if you're playing 60 minutes, it's a different dynamic. One team may stall, lots of circle conferences, etc. DD's team is a very strong hitting team. Playing in most tournaments you see a variety of pitching from very good to very bad. But, if you've seen 45mph fastballs/35 mph changeups and then the next game is 58mph with movement, it often takes some time to adjust. Short games, a team might not adjust quick enough.