3 Team Tie Breaker

[Bullbuck]

Is there a standard way to break a 3 team tie (same pool play records) for seeding purposes? We have had this experience twice this year and each tournament used a different process, which worked to our disadvantage both times. One tournament was non-sanctioned. The other an ASA tournament.

Example. Team A had lowest runs allowed and did not play Team B or C. Team B beat Team C, but gave up more runs overall than Team C.

Method 1: As all 3 teams have same record, just use runs allowed and seed the teams based only on that factor, even if one or more of the teams may have played each other. In the example, Team A seeded highest, then Team C, then Team B.

Method 2: Seed highest the team with the lowest runs allowed, then evaluate the two remaining teams from scratch. Meaning, look at head to head if they played, then runs allowed, etc. In the example, Team A seeded highest, then Team B, then Team C.

I think the second method is preferable. Other thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[coachjwb]

I think the answer to your question is that there is no standard way, and different tourneys do their own things. I like head to head as a first tiebreaker (though it's not always used), and no, that usually isn't going to work in a 3 team tie. After that, runs allowed seems to be the most common, but I have also seen runs scored and runs differential. While I see your logic on method 2, I think that may get too complicated for most tourneys ... once they go to runs allowed, that will be the sole determining factor. I tried to never get too excited about pool seeding ... in the end, you've got to beat everyone else there anyhow. I know the biggest thing most others worried about though was 8:00 start times on Sunday.

 

[The3dm]

I have always liked using:

Head-to-Head
Runs Scored
Runs Allowed

Then we move on to some form of thumb wrestling or something manly, like a coin-flip.

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

I have always liked using:

Head-to-Head
Runs Scored
Runs Allowed

Then we move on to some form of thumb wrestling or something manly, like a coin-flip.

I'd much rather have:
Head to Head
Runs allowed
Runs scored

The reason being teams are less likely to "roll" a lesser opponent if runs scored is the 2nd tie breaker. So they can "take the foot off the gas" and continue to play defense when up 10-15 runs. I'd much rather see a 15-0 than a 25-0 because a team outclassing another is chasing runs rather than looking to get into the next game healthy. Run differential can get you into a similar scenario. I am speaking about, for example, a top 15 10U team playing an all star rec level 9U squad in pool play. JMHO