Softball's not designed for time limits.

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Guys,
We had a situation this weekend where a team stalled to end the game at drop dead to preserve a tie to force ITB. The other coach was doing what we felt he needed to do give his team a chance to win and I understand it.
Some thought he was bush league and others were very hostile about it. Our game was no new inning after 60 and 70 drop dead revert back. We had runners on with no outs when the time ran out with score at 3-3. Coached huddled up, had his pitcher stand there until ump called balls, changed pitcher to waste time on warm ups, argued our courtesy runner for our pitcher, etc. These games should be decided on the field.

My question is what everyone thinks is the best way to play with time limits, in a game designed without them.

If we must, I prefer 60-70 minutes, finish the inning plus one. Thoughts?


We ended up winning the game 6-5 in ITB.

 

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I like the time limit plus one inning. I really like them... Western PA ASA sets up their tournaments this way and it eliminates the stress of worrying too much about the clock.

 

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Agreed. The hour, finish inning/plus 1 is the best format I've played. In all honesty, it really seems to take the clock out of the game. Seems to make games about 1:15-1:30 total time.

 

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I understand time limits but the drop dead revert back is the dumbest ever. You should be able to finish the inning started. All D.D.R.B does is give opportunities for coaches to do exactly that.....which in my opinion is not only wrong but a total doucher move. I wonder how he would of reacted if rolls were reversed.

 

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In the 3rd inning put a runner on 2b , in the 4th inning load the bases ...if still tied go to total bases (the 3rd inning puts small ball into play-the 4th inning challenges the defense) its just a thought . The issue I have with timed games is that the coaches can manipulate the game . I would at least like to see something like this in 12u down , I dont like the idea of adults with so much power to decide a game where the young players dont understand whats going on. I think what happens is there is a moment in the game where the coach's put the game into their hands by using a tactic in a game that doesnt have a time limit. JMO.

 

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No its not designed for time limits. While I like the finish the inning plus one as a lesser of all evils, we played in 2 tourneys this past summer who had this and both ended up getting significantly backed up games especially on bracket day. Meanwhile, I also hate 4-5 inning games where some players don't even get to bat twice. The problem is that profit expectations and team fee structures are based on tourneys where games are getting started every 90 minutes. To me, the best solution (which will never take hold) is to admit less teams into tournaments, charge them more and play full games. As for drop dead revert back, we should all commit to boycott any and all tournaments who use this ridiculous format. Can you imagine anyone using this format in a football or basketball game?!?!?

 

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I thought it was silly. Bottom of the inning runners on 2nd and 3rd no outs, and the stall to send it back to top of the inning. It should be when time expires play out the inning and if tied ITB.

 

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I like the time limit plus one inning. I really like them... Western PA ASA sets up their tournaments this way and it eliminates the stress of worrying too much about the clock.

Totally agree - time limit, finish the inning plus one. Takes the coaches out of the situation.

 

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We try that in 2010, everyone was ranting. Online about TD taken the game out of the girls hands.

So we held a 7 inning fast pitch softball tournament
We spent over $1,000 to promote the event.

We had a total of 12 teams enter. That right 12 teams.

We went ahead and held the tournament at a complete loss.

We try again in 2011, but unlike 2010 i didn't lose
a dime we just mail back the 5 teams check that
Enter.

So any time someone start talking FULL GAMES, 7 INNINGS. Give the game back to the Girls ! I agree give it back to the Girls !
But let someone else try it this time, I try it twice already !!!!!!!!!!

 

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time limit, finish the inning plus one works great. games average about 80 min. as long as the director plans for that there shouldn't be any delay,and everyone is happy

 

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"I understand time limits but the drop dead revert back is the dumbest ever"

Agreed!