ethical? or smart?

[Stupid Jim]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mor...ld-series-over-alleged-thrown-game/ar-BBlPIuL

Scandal at Little League Softball World Series over alleged thrown game.

 

[Louuuuu]

Neither. What is this teaching the kids?

 

[wdogg311]

I agree. If it was essentially a meaningless game, I'm sure there were some bench players who would love an increased opportunity on the big stage. Forcing every player to bunt makes it a little obvious..no? Also it is explicitly spelled out in the rules ......

Page T-28

P. When a manager or coach instructs his/her players to play poorly for any reason, such as, but not limited to the following, such action may result in the manager?s removal by the umpire-in-chief, and/or removal of the manager, coach(es) and/or team from further tournament play. NOTE: This policy is not intended to prevent a manager from using lesser-skilled players more frequently if he or she wishes, even if such action may result in losing a game):
1. losing a game to effect a particular outcome in a Pool Play Format tournament;
2. so as to lose a game by the 10-run rule;
3. to delay the game until the curfew;
4. to allow an opponent to tie the score so that more innings may be played, etc.?

 

[jt7663]

This happens in almost every Travel Ball Tourney maybe not to this extent but intentionally leaving base early etc. But OH MY not on the Sacred Little League Int. Stage. I feel for all the Girls involved.

 

[brownsfan]

As mentioned before and didn't realize this was posted already, what's the difference between what Washington did and a travel team winning their pool and still have a meaningless pool play yet to play? Most of the times I've seen most of the starters sit so no injury happens.

 

[Louuuuu]

Yeah, but...

Intentionally stepping off base to end an inning/game because you don't want to embarrass the other team is one thing.

Purposely bunting the entire game because you don't want Team X in the tournament any more is another. If the coach would have spent as much time preparing his players as he did calculating "Wins & Losses/Runs Scored Needed To Boot Iowa", he might have gotten farther into the elimination rounds. (While holding his head high)...

 

[spartansd]

Yeah, but...

Intentionally stepping off base to end an inning/game because you don't want to embarrass the other team is one thing.

Purposely bunting the entire game because you don't want Team X in the tournament any more is another. If the coach would have spent as much time preparing his players as he did calculating "Wins & Losses/Runs Scored Needed To Boot Iowa", he might have gotten farther into the elimination rounds. (While holding his head high)...

Disagree completely. No where was it stated that this was done as a snub to the Iowa team.

The Iowa team did not win enough to make it into the semis. The Washington had won so much that regardless of if they won or lost they would be put into semis. So how anyone can agree that they should play again to decide if they would get into the semis is insane. They had already qualified. End of story. And on top of that no where in the rules do I see that they violated the rules.

I have had to stop bunting to stop scoring before. I literally have bunted 9 batters in a row before (in one inning). So if I want to work on bunting that is my choice. I am trying to figure out what rule they broke. And telling a team that since they played Suzy and Alice it is obvious they were playing to lose sends a great message. No this was handled so poorly I am in shock.

 

[Louuuuu]

Spartansd - Except here;

"But Iowa felt like Snohomish wanted them knocked out of the tournament, which is why they think Washington came up with a plan to throw its game against North Carolina.

Because Snohomish, Iowa and North Carolina all went 3-1 in pool play with 1-1 records against each opponent, a runs allowed average would have been the tiebreaker to determine which two advance to the semifinals. An 8-0 win for N.C. would have helped the Southeast team win a tiebreaker with Iowa."

 

[rubsomedirtonit]

There's a big difference between having girls leave base early when you are crushing someone and throwing a game on purpose to manipulate who you play. The latter is bush league and damages the integrity of the game.

 

[coachjwb]

wdogg ... love rule T-28! I assume that's a little league rule? I know some will disagree but all of the sanctioning bodies should have a rule like that!

 

[Rose]

Lou is on point on this one. No reason to ever do this. Can't compare or argue otherwise.

 

[wdogg311]

Coach- Yes it from the Little League Softball Tournament Rules and Guidelines. I agree it is a rule that makes a lot of sense. I think the main point is in the NOTE- NOTE: This policy is not intended to prevent a manager from using lesser-skilled players more frequently if he or she wishes, even if such action may result in losing a game) Very rarely do they have make an exception for having class spelled put in the rule book.....

 

[Tallmadgecoach]

Hey All,
I coached the 12u Tallmadge team that went to the World Series last year and I can assure you that the coach was afraid to play the Iowa team again and that is why he did what he did. HOWEVER you feel, the rules of Little League international state that you cannot make a travesty of the game, and must play fair and strive to win. That is the way they govern softball, it is different than travel ball but it is a great system. All of those teams were flown in to Oregon, fed (10 days), put in a hotel (10 days), given 2016 makos, Russel uniforms, helmets and catchers gear, etc....all free of charge...coaches too! BUT you play by their rules ( that they had been playing by all year). Whether you agree or disagree, that coach knew it and broke the rules. What is he saying to those girls by his actions of 1) telling them that even though they beat Iowa once, they were afraid to play them possibly in the championship again, and 2) It's okay to bend the rules if you don't get caught! That coach is the new Black sheep of their town and will get run out. The girls paid the biggest price! What a shame.

 

[Lenski65]

Disagree completely. No where was it stated that this was done as a snub to the Iowa team.

The Iowa team did not win enough to make it into the semis. The Washington had won so much that regardless of if they won or lost they would be put into semis. So how anyone can agree that they should play again to decide if they would get into the semis is insane. They had already qualified. End of story. And on top of that no where in the rules do I see that they violated the rules.

I have had to stop bunting to stop scoring before. I literally have bunted 9 batters in a row before (in one inning). So if I want to work on bunting that is my choice. I am trying to figure out what rule they broke. And telling a team that since they played Suzy and Alice it is obvious they were playing to lose sends a great message. No this was handled so poorly I am in shock.

Little League is just following their own rule set. According to the rules West could have been disqualified for their actions. Instead of disqualifying them they decided on playing a game between the two teams. I think it was the correct move.

 

[brownsfan]

Which I heard Iowa won that second game, the poster on my earlier post in General Softball mentioned it

 

[jt7663]

What happened to the theory of Wanting to "Be the Best" you have to play & Beat the Best

 

[Captain_Thunder]

I think what this team did is horrible! But this is not nearly as bad as the cheating scandal from last year was!!!
I can't believe the writer would think such a thing. This one was able to have a decision made while still going on - Not after the fact...........

 

[Chad Strahler]

Many have said its done in travel ball too but just because it is done in travel ball doesn't make it acceptable. I hate stalling on time, etc.... I know it's part of it but I don't like it. So yes to me it's just a crappy thing to do and Iowa should be proud and probably do some boasting themselves...

 

[Stupid Jim]

update:

http://q13fox.com/2015/08/18/local-...ter-allegedly-throwing-game-tie-breaker-loss/

 

[lewam3]

All I can say is that the Washington Coach has to be completely embarrassed. What happened to his reputation is Karma in its purest form. I do feel bad for the girls, who were simply following what they were instructed to do.