Comments on: Outs on Purpose: Mercy or Insult?

By: Stacie

Stacie — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:18:27 +0000

Actually Ken, both people who responded to the discussion at Fastpitch World said that they had been on both sides of the coin, granted one said most of the time on the winning end. However, they both have been on the losing end of the game at one point or another. I don't know if I agree with playing as if you are behind, but generally, I'd rather not have my players do things that would be absolute no-no's in "regular" games.

By: Ken Krause

Ken Krause — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:10:14 +0000

I have been involved in it, and I have observed it. I think at some point you need to stop the pain. After a while, the team isn’t learning anything. It’s just getting humiliated.

I notice the people over on Fastpitch World who are talking about how you keep playing hard or keep playing like you’re behind don’t seem to have been on the losing end of these games. Perhaps if they had seen their kids totally overmatched and discouraged they’d feel differently.

Unfortunate that sometimes these mismatches come up, but they do. When I’ve been on the high end of the score I’ve had my runners leave the base early to get an inning over with. Opposing coaches have thanked me. Doesn’t mean I’ll automatically do it the next inning, but if your team just can’t compete I will.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:47:03 +0000

I agree. If I’m on the short end of the score – I don’t want the other team to give up. Just bat through the order and we’ll take our lumps. On the other hand, I think there are a few things you can do to ease the pressure. For instance, the girls don’t have to steal. Taking good leads but staying on base until the ball is hit gives the other team an opportunity to make outs but not be totally overwhelmed by runs scoring. Also, a great opportunity to get innings in for pitchers who need work.