- Nov 26, 2020
- 342
- 43
I almost posted the below on the USSSA South Florida Facebook page but thought better of it. I'm curious what you guys think of this rule. I'm trying to rally other coaches to my side.
Here it is:
I'm interested in how one goes about politicking for a rule change at USSSA. I imagine it's not easy but I think this one most would agree on. For reference we are a second year 10U team so this is coming with that perspective. The first tie breaker in pool games is runs allowed. I would like to see it changed to run differential which is currently the 2nd tie breaker.
The problem with runs allowed is it gives you less opportunity to develop all of your players especially pitchers, practice defense, and give the opposing teams more opportunity.
Lets say our team is positioning itself for the number one seed and has a matchup coming up that is uneven. What we would like to do is pitch a pitcher that needs some game action but we know will give up some walks and some runs. We would then rely on our bats and our defense to make up the difference. Right now we are incentivized to pitch our #1 and give up no runs even if that means winning 12-0. We saw a team this past weekend sweating an opposing girl score from third when they were winning 11-0.
I hope this makes sense and I know the counter to this is to just play the pool games anyway you want and let the seeding fall where it may. I agree with this too and we have seen many times where getting the #1 seed doesn't work out the way you planned.
But my point is lets make the rules encourage more development, more fun and less stress.
Here it is:
I'm interested in how one goes about politicking for a rule change at USSSA. I imagine it's not easy but I think this one most would agree on. For reference we are a second year 10U team so this is coming with that perspective. The first tie breaker in pool games is runs allowed. I would like to see it changed to run differential which is currently the 2nd tie breaker.
The problem with runs allowed is it gives you less opportunity to develop all of your players especially pitchers, practice defense, and give the opposing teams more opportunity.
Lets say our team is positioning itself for the number one seed and has a matchup coming up that is uneven. What we would like to do is pitch a pitcher that needs some game action but we know will give up some walks and some runs. We would then rely on our bats and our defense to make up the difference. Right now we are incentivized to pitch our #1 and give up no runs even if that means winning 12-0. We saw a team this past weekend sweating an opposing girl score from third when they were winning 11-0.
I hope this makes sense and I know the counter to this is to just play the pool games anyway you want and let the seeding fall where it may. I agree with this too and we have seen many times where getting the #1 seed doesn't work out the way you planned.
But my point is lets make the rules encourage more development, more fun and less stress.