Play The Game!!!

[FTG]

I have seen a lot of teams over the last few weekends deciding to not play out the game but instead choose to run the clock out. I even saw a glory team at craig ranch this past weekend run out 14 minutes and was laughing about it. If we are attempting to get girls ready for HS ball why would teams take this approach when HS ball plays 7 innings??

Don't really think this is letting the girls play the game and wouldn't choose to see a team that my DD on play this way. Do you all think this is just smart coaching or scared coaching?

[Hustla]

Hence...... care more about winning or care more about developing players???? Hunting a trophy or preparing girls for Spring......JMO

[TXfastpitchsoftball]

Pool game or bracket play? Pool play stalling is silly.

If it's in a bracket game (or pool that seeds bracket), running out the clock is part of the game. Nobody likes it, but sorry, it's part of the game. Why would you "play the game" and cost yourself a win? If you have a place to put a big hitter, you'll walk her intentionally with the game on the line. On offense, you wouldn't steal a base and risk getting thrown out to start a new inning.

Why do newbie parents in softball always complain about staling in softball when in basketball, football, soccer, etc. running out the final minutes of a game is not only accepted but expected. As long as we play timed games in softball tournaments, stalling is not only acceptable is is smart play.

You're showing your inexperience.

[FTG]

Basketball the clock doesnt run unless you are playing the game, Football the clock doesnt run unless you are playing the game, soccer you are still playing the game while the clock runs. Not really sure how you use them as a comparison.

Softball the clock is running and as a coach you choose to not play the game. Just saying..

[Darkcloud]

Basketball the clock doesnt run unless you are playing the game, Football the clock doesnt run unless you are playing the game, soccer you are still playing the game while the clock runs. Not really sure how you use them as a comparison.

Softball the clock is running and as a coach you choose to not play the game. Just saying..

This is where you are misguided. The coach is playing the game when he is stalling, because time management is part of a timed game.

[FTG]

This is where your misguided.. coaches don't play the game the kids do. I am sure if you ask the kids who are actually playing the game they would rather play instead of watching their coach hide and play "time management"

[taking2]

FTG must of lost this weekend and thinks the clock was the issue.

I hate the clock as well but it is part of the game; you have to learn to accept it and play so it doesn't effect you. A good coach knows how to beat the "stallers".

[Let's Play Two]

I agree with you FTG. If you have to use the clock to win then you do not deserve to win the game. Let the girls play it out! You are not teaching your girls any lesson by running out the clock. I'd be emabarrassed if my daughter was on a team like that. Nationals you gotta play 7 innings. If you are not use to playing them out your team is not going to do well over 7 innings. What is the coach going to do then? Coach them up, develope them?

Just like my other daughter's 10U team. They have played some teams that run all day and of course at that age the majority of the girls can't play catch so they win ball games that way. Well you can beat the teams that can't play catch but are you not going to be able to do that at Nationals. That's when the coaches run in to a brick wall and don't know what to do, well I guess it will be 2 & BBQ!

[justawatcher]

I might puke after I say this, but Joe/Fred could not have said it better. I agree with him on every aspect. The clock game stinks. As a coach though, even if your intentions are strictly to develop players, your parents would never let you hear the end of it (and in some cases, leave the team) if you were to "play the game" and wind up losing. I know I would be ok if my GDDs coach "played the game" and got us sent home in a game that would give our girls a trophy if they won. Would you? It's the fall. Let the other teams do what they're going to do and just focus on getting your kid(s) reps and making them better ball players.

[Let's Play Two]

Fred, again this is just my opinion. I would rather win it or lose it the right way. Killing the clock to me is just saying we do not have the team to win this game. I do not trust my pitching or defense, etc., etc. I would not want my daughter being taught that. If we lose it then we deserve to lose it. What, to win another trophy? Might as well sign up for the week tournaments and beat up on everybody to collect more hardware. I would rather see my daughter play another inning and have a chance to hit again or play defense. The parents that don't see the big picture are the ones that hold their daughters back and usually if not happy start their own team. Those parents that second guess a call like that usually leave the team anyway, probably start another team, and the cycle continues.....