Clock management...what would you have done?

quincy said:

I do not like playing the clock, vast majority of teams we play do not either. Always a clever person out there though, they can do what they want but DD is not playing for them.

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Bubrox said:

DD2 team was playing in a Qualifier this past weekend. Game was close to over (hour and 40 min game). Other team had 2 outs and runner on 2nd. Their coach had runner step off so they could start a new inning. Well even though we were up 7-1, the run rule was in effect and the game was over. Kind of sucky way to end the game.

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Mocoso said:

ah the clock management question/debate...... my response is always "Last I checked college softball and baseball DO NOT use a clock".. time limits are there for the benefit of the tournament directors and leagues so they can get as many games as possible in a limited timeframe... its a necessary evil but if you CHOOSE to take advantage of the clock to secure a win you are cheating the kids of the pure set of rules by which it was intended to be played ...

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SoCalSy said:

Here was my situation this weekend, we were the visitors, up 1 run with 2 outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd, and about 2 minutes left on the clock (1:20 no new). Would you kill the clock so if you get that last out the game is over?

I let it play out and we got the out but there was 10 seconds left so we had to play another inning. We ended up losing.

I appreciate the feedback.

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TMoney said:

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here. I hate it when other coaches do it, but I have played the clock game as well. I always make a point to thank other coaches that just play it out, but I would certainly never fault a coach for using the clock to their advantage. I think the bigger issue is, why are we only playing games that last 65-75 min? I think it's ridiculous that we go to a tournament and play 4 inning games. Not a lot of AB's to be had.

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marriard said:

Disagree here... first this isn't college softball or high school softball - it is travel softball. They made the clock part of travel, so it is now part of the game and that is how travel softball is intended to be played and it makes a difference in how the game and tournament should be played as well.

They might not have a clock in college, but they are also not expecting to play anywhere between 3 and 8 games in a day either. Also when you look out there be assured that most of the players on your travel team will not play in college so what happens X years from now doesn't really concern me in any way on game day (on practice days and showcase days, yes it does but that is not what we are talking about). Also I know my travel girls learn 7 inning games in high school which is much closer to the college experience, so they can learn that there.

We played 16 hours of softball in 100 degree heat in a losers bracket in ASA a couple of weeks ago. You can be absolutely assured that we played the clock hard. I owe it to my pitchers, my catchers and the team to do so.

A couple of seasons ago, we only had one strong pitcher for a weekend (the other was injured). We absolutely managed the clock and sneaking in innings for our #3 over the 5 games on elimination day we played (note pool games we just played - I wont manage a clock in a pool game unless by winning we avoid the dawn/8am game or if elimination is starting the same day and I am unsure how many games we are going to be asked to play.

So will I do bush league things like untied shoelaces or making up time wasting situations - no. But if I have 3 more back-to-back games to go and I can avoid my pitcher having to throw another inning in THIS game when she may have 12 more to throw, you bet I will. It is situational and I am more than OK with it when I feel it is the right thing to do.

Adding: Families are playing a lot of money to play on these teams. I want to make sure they get value for their $$$. That means more games and deeper into the tournament where possible. A whole new game for the parents and players to enjoy.

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marriard said:

Well it is a cost/number of teams you can take issue.

If I can schedule in 90 minute time slots I can take 6 teams for every field I have.

If I need to work in 180 minute time slots (and you do to properly accommodate 7 inning games back to back especially at younger ages) I can only take 3 teams for every field I have - which means I need to charge teams 2x your current tournament fees. So your $350-450 weekend tournament is now $700-$900 because I am still using the field/paying umpires/etc for the same amount of time and money. Also any vendors get 1/2 the crowd to sell to - so less people to buy concessions, t-shirts, etc.

Also I get time certainty with timed games back to back (unless there is weather but even then there is an advantage to timed games). Which means in general participants and families have a whole lot less waiting around. 7 i innings can go 1 hour or 3 hours. That is a tournament scheduling nightmare to work with.

In the end 75 min- finish the inning allows for a lot of time and cost certainty while right now hitting a price point where the majority of teams are willing to pay.

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