10-Run Rule

See Rule 4.2.2. They have an example of this in the case book....Situation E

Pete

This is a dilemma that all of us face at one time or another. There was a game I was in where in the first inning the home team scored 10 runs and it was obvious that the other team did not have the skill to compete even on their best day. The Team ahead could have thrown and caught with opposite hands and batted opposite and they still would have been better than the other team. At that point a choice has to be made.

Legally the game must go 5 innings before it can be called (4 1/2 if the home team is ahead). So after there about 5 runs into the first inning I started looking to create outs from where I was. The Strike zone went toes to nose and box to box plus some. The team losing never really got an out on their own the first few innings. Final score after 4 1/2 22-0. The point is when a team is not capable of getting outs. (They lack the skill) The umpire has to try to balance things enough so you at least have something that resembles a game. You cannot let it be the high school players vs the grade school players. You may have already done this, but my goal would be to never let the score get that big. Even if I have to call a ridiculous zone. I have called anything that did not bounce or go behind them a strike in these situations, as long as they could catch it. The point is when the game itself is unfair look to balance it out long enough to get the game over.

If you are really skilled the score should never exceed a 15 run difference. Get outs however you can. Keep the game moving and make both teams swing the bat. Hopefully you will not see this too often. The coaches will not care if you make things move in these situations, they will most likely thank you later.

Antelope J.V.  today  vs. Sac High. Antelope 12 runs up respectfully, top of the third granted mercy to Sac High coach after conversations with both coachs. Sac High just lacked the defensive skill to compete with Antelope.
They was only two arms to go on the bump, and they were exhausted.

My concern is for the safety of some players, not being aware or game conscious.

Thanks Dan & Others. I was well aware of rule 4.2.2, that was my dilemma.  I REALLY tried to find outs, strikes, anything that would even things up, it just wasn't possible with this mismatch. The clinics, great training, classroom sessions didn't bring up this scenario.  I'll remember your advice for the future. Hopefully I don't have another one of these in a while.  

Pete: You really had a "nightmare of a baseball game. Even though Rule 4.2.2. Situation E, rules that in 3 innings the 10 run rule is not in effect, I see nothing wrong if both coaches agreed there is no need to continue a game which at that time is out of control and the losing team has no more live arms that can throw a baseball to get people out. 35-0 in three innigs? How long these three innings took to complete? The advice by Dan Blowers makes sense and I know for a fact that it works. In that situation, the wider the zone the better! Good luck on your next game.
Manuel Provedor

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