Stepping off to start new inning

We lost a game 1-0 in the fall. The opposing team called time to talk to the hitter. Then put in a pinch runner and had her warm up. Then a second pinch runner and warm up. Then time out to talk with the hitter again. Asked the umpire to check the book to make sure the count was correct and took his time walking down to the umpire. Local team that the umpire gave a lot of leeway. Of course they had the count different in their book than the official book. You could tell this was the norm for them. Was an awesome game up to that point.

I get that coaches are going to use the clock since they're constrained by it. It makes sense. But I'd be annoyed to have DD play for a coach who did things like this on a regular basis. Let them play, and win or lose on their merit rather than timer tricks. To me it does show a lack of confidence, and too much of a focus on winning (at DD's age level anyway, 12U). I know one coach who does this kind of thing ALL the time, and he absolutely cares about nothing but winning. So it doesn't help that the main real-life example I have of coaches who do this is one I'd never let my kid play for in a billion years (for many reasons).

We've played a lot of high level teams over the years, and I've never seen one of them do this. I figure if a coach wants to help his team grow to be a high level team, (s)he should emulate high level coaches.

Find it interesting that whenever this subject comes up people make the argument that the clock should not be part of the game. Yet the norm in the sport is a timed game, not a full 7 innings.

Find it interesting that whenever this subject comes up people make the argument that the clock should not be part of the game. Yet the norm in the sport is a timed game, not a full 7 innings.

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As popular as softball is and with more girls and women playing across the country I see a time where leagues form and untimed games become common. Not to say that timed, for profit, privately run tournaments go away completely... think (if you're familiar with) American Legion Baseball. Where you may be more likely to play five or more days per week with one game per day as opposed to the opposite, five games in one day. Could work better for the athlete, parent, coach, and so on ?

I believe intentionally slowing down the game is "bush league". I also feel that if the offensive team takes an out to get another inning started, that is OK. Both teams get the same opportunity to hit again, and you are getting girls more at bats. I also believe that the stepping off the bag to get another inning is the only thing you can do to combat the coach that is re-tying shoes and meeting with/changing pitchers to burn out the clock.

KCPhoto said:

As others have said, if you time limit games the clock is now part of the game. Football has many strategies to manage the clock. The odds of scoring a run with a runner on 1st and 2 outs are pretty long. I haven't been in this situation yet. I have, however, endured opposing coaches changing pitchers, have catcher's gear issues and other situations to prevent another inning when they are ahead.

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Lots of this. I've seen coaches tell their girls to tie their shoes when they weren't untied.

We have had a few teams down to their last out and have the runner get called out to cause an extra inning. In all those games we won, and by more than if they have just played out the inning they were in.

It's annoying but legal. And since it gives our young 10U girls more pitching and fielding practice (and more at bats) I'm generally ok with it.

YoungBuck said:

As popular as softball is and with more girls and women playing across the country I see a time where leagues form and untimed games become common. Not to say that timed, for profit, privately run tournaments go away completely... think (if you're familiar with) American Legion Baseball. Where you may be more likely to play five or more days per week with one game per day as opposed to the opposite, five games in one day. Could work better for the athlete, parent, coach, and so on ?

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This is already happening. Its called Little League. LL games around here are 120 min or 6 innings. No time limits in the AS tournaments. As long as college coaches are on a schedule to see players in games, tournaments are going to be timed games.

These added days are also cost prohibative for travel: teams, coaches and scouts. There just isnt enough teams in a market to make that happen. At least not here in Texas. There are plenty of teams but not all are on the same level. I just dont see it happening.

This is already happening. Its called Little League. LL games around here are 120 min or 6 innings. No time limits in the AS tournaments. As long as college coaches are on a schedule to see players in games, tournaments are going to be timed games.

These added days are also cost prohibative for travel: teams, coaches and scouts. There just isnt enough teams in a market to make that happen. At least not here in Texas. There are plenty of teams but not all are on the same level. I just dont see it happening.

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I can't say I am a fan of Little League - very restrictive in allowing teams to play. I am sure it is different from one part of the country to the next, but do you see many 16 - 18 year olds playing Little League and if so how much do they really play (within Little League) ? It's my experience Little League is a 'show.' Huge at the younger age groups but by the time girls get to high school age there's not much in the way of organization / competition.

The game will grow and when it does change will happen - the only question is what direction it will go.

Im not a fan of LL really but we have 3-4 teams up though 16u (12,14,16) go to the National Tourney and 2 won it all. Was the compoetition tough? Not really. But they offer exactly what you are wanting.

And that confirms my point that non timed games are out there and they do not meet the requirements of TB. TB will always be timed IMO.

I have never been a fan of timed games for softball. I know it is how the sport generally works, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. To be honest, I am really enjoying 23u ball, where 7 inning games are not uncommon. And if a game hits the time limit, it is still typically a 6 inning game. I realize time is important in a tournament setting, but my preference would be to reduce the innings. Maybe play 4 innings at 12u, 5 innings at 14u, etc. I would prefer that to the time limit games.

But as far as pet peeves, this is nothing for me compared to tournaments that revert the score to the previous inning. I remember one game... We were down 3-2 at the start of an inning. We scored 2 runs in the top of the inning to take the lead. The other team came to bat and used every stall tactic they could. Pinch hitters at the last second. Hitter's stepping out of the batter's box constantly (and the ump allowing it), offensive time out. Then the time sounds and they are awarded the win. Dumbest rule in sports. Where else can the team that scored the most runs lose the game? (Rant over...)

Concerning the OP. I can understand the strategy behind that decision, but it isn't something I would do. I do use the clock to my advantage at times, but some things just seem bush league to me.