ConorMacleod
Practice Like You Play
- Jul 30, 2012
- 188
- 0
This is a tough one. Especially when coaching TB. We have been on both sides of an old fashion butt kickin'. There are a couple things I consider when in these positions.
1. We never step off bases. We don't want it done to us, and we won't do it. BTW, I think it is ASA(not sure though) now considers purposefully stepping off(whether to get another inning in because of time, or for mercy) to be unsportsmanlike, resulting in both the coach and player being ejected from the game.
2. I do research on the teams we are playing. We do not ease up until we have scored more runs than they have scored this year in a game. If a team has scored 12 runs in 2-3 games this year then we aren't letting up until we get to 13. We were losing 7-0 in the top of the first inning in a game a couple years ago, and ended up winning 9-7(never scored more than a couple in an inning).
3. When the lead is at a point where it is considered out of hand, we simply hit the ball and run to 1B. We won't take extra bases, steal or advance on pass balls. We will also talk to our players and tell them that a walk is unacceptable when up to bat. Now, we won't swing at pitches in the dirt, but we will swing at balls 8 inches off the plate.
Softball has 3 outs, not 2, not 1. We will make it easier for them to get their outs, but just walking off bases in essence is saying that they aren't worth our time.
If the other coach is embarrassed or upset enough and they can't get outs even with us not being aggressive they always have the option to tell the umpire that they are ready to quit.
So, you wouldn't want to send the message that they aren't worth your time by stepping off the bases, but you are willing to beat them into such humiliation that you would force them to just give up and quit? Sure, it isn't a good feeling when another team steps off the bases because you can't get them out, but getting beat 25-0 is so much worse. Notice I said 25-0, not the 7-0 example you gave.
To the OP. If you're ahead 27-9, it's always a good idea to just not talk to the opposing fans. The Umpire will always give you the outs, and your own scorekeeper can tell you the score. Maybe you didn't know you had 27, but I guarantee you that you knew you had at least 20 and were kicking their butts.