Stalling Tactics good or bad Softball...

[Scoobydoo]

I watched a game tonight where after a team went up 1 run in first inning the Coach started trying to stall and continued stalling the entire game. Even put 10 girls on the field through a whole play. I guess I don't understand this as I thought Fall Ball is about letting the girls play so they will get better. Obvious to me this Coach only cares about trying to get a Trophy that is worth a couple dollars. The bad thing is I have watched this Coach in the past and he does this alot. What is the point...Can someone please help me to understand this?

[SOFTBALL TAXI]

Is this rec ball or travel
This is very common in travel to insure a win, but I have no clue why someone would start stalling in the first inning there is way to much game left to start running out time it will bite him in the butt one day.

[CharlieHough]

8u or 10u?

[Scoobydoo]

It is travel ball. I understand if there is only a few minutes left but these guys do it the whole game every chance they get. Makes no sense to me.

[Scoobydoo]

We are talking about 14U 'A'

[SOFTBALL TAXI]

If your talking 14u 'A' it should not be a shock to you. I think it is part of Coaching it just depends on what side of it your on

We are talking about 14U 'A'

[Scoobydoo]

I understand that it can become part of the Game when you are nearing the end of a Game but to start out after first inning with a 1 run lead and Stall just seems silly.. What happened to Player Development how do players get better when the game isn't being played.. I am more concerned with Developing Players than getting a bunch of Trophys by Stalling for half of the Game.. Don't get me wrong I like to win but I also want to see my Players get better and if they are standing around half the game while the other teams Coach tries to make the Game about him they are not getting better.. It is about the Players not the Coaches and Parents!!

[bucketboy]

A suggestion would be to have a conversation with the tournament director and the UIC and make them aware if it is an ongoing issue with a specific team or coach.

You pay a bunch of money to play in these events and if enough coaches complain to the state director, tournament director and the UIC then it will be addressed.

Sure we have all stalled late in a game at some point to win it in the younger days, but I have been burnt by it also so if they are doing it all the time it will catch up to them at some point anyway......

[gunshy]

A few years ago, my team stopped playing NSA tournaments and the NSA director, who is a good friend, asked me why? I told her that, aside from ASA having better competition, I was tired of playing NSA events that were overbooked and time-shortened, resulting in our greatest competitor being the clock. The difference in playing a 7 inning game versus a 65 or 70 minute game are huge. Coaches can coach and players can play without the threat of rampant shoe-tying, mound conferences, pitcher/catcher changes and endless time outs. I have seen it all and witnessed stalling that has caused very hard feelings between teams and detracted from the game that we were trying to play. Particularly at the younger ages, some coaches will throw away everything they are trying to teach just to win a 50 cent medal or $3 trophy. This is particularly true in indoor tournaments, where field space and time are extremely limited and timed games are required. Win at all costs, even if it means your own kids get fewer at-bats or fewer innings to play. Stalling stinks, period. Win it or lose it on the field, not on the clock, and build on the result either way.

[coolstuff]

This will always be a problem when you take a sport that is not designed to be played with a clock and add a time limit. I can't think of any real solutions that would not further hamper the game and create havoc on tournament schedules. Maybe a rule that would allow the PU to penalize a team for stalling is needed, but that would put the PU into yet another bad situation and rely on the PU's judgement. I think it's just something we have to deal with even if it is wrong IMHO to stall to the extent described in the OP.