Today, I witnessed a blowout. It was well over 15 runs. It was like watching a car wreck. You could see it coming... and no one who was in a position of responsibility did anything about.
I'm addressing this to Umpires mostly. But there is enough blame to go around. First, I'll state that my son was injuried and didn't play. I feel I can talk about it a little more objectively.
Umpires:
When the score goes over 10 runs after 3 innings and the losing coach puts in a barely JV pitcher, its time to "put your antenna up". Notice what is going on. After a 15 run difference, its time to widen and raise your strike zone for the losing team if you haven't already. Keep a fair strike zone for the other pitcher - its not his fault and shouldn't be penalized. PLUS, that doesn't help because that doesn't really help. There may be a few more BB, but most kids are still going to swing and make outs.
The field umpire is pretty helpless, but still should give any marginal play to the losing team. In other words, its time to end the game -CALL OUTS! We as parents (on the winning teams side) understand, what's going on and may state a mild objection, but we want it to end too. Its hard to watch the kids reaction on the other (losing) team because if you play this game long enough, you've been there too.
Umpires, No one cares at this point if you are fair or a good/great umpire...its not about you...Both teams want to see an end to the game.
Don't shrug your shoulders and blame it on the Coaches
You may not get any help from either coach for whatever reason. They may hate each other...or they don't have anything better ...or the losing Coach don't want to jeopardize the "starter" for tomorrow's game. REMEMBER: makeup games forces weak teams to play beyond even their modest pitching capabilities. Whatever the reason there is for the Coachs to be doing what they are doing...you be the "grown-up"...find a reason to call kids out.
Why is this important?? Because a few of these blowouts in an already weak program, kills it for next year. Seniors graduate and are gone. BUT:
- Underclassman who "started" may decide to go to other sports. - Underclassman who are marginally good, and if they stayed in the program may develop into a good role by their senior year, get a job and don't come out because they don't want to be embarassed in front of their girls.
- In coming freshman, hear about the "bad" program from older brothers and parents and choose other sports early. And they tell others in their age group too.
Thus, it creates a cycle of losing. And the limited supply of talent feeding in to the HS program goes out for Track and Volleyball.
But more, importantly, you have an OBLIGATION TO THE PLAYERS who are sticking it out and putting up with: limited participation from friends they've known who were good, but didn't love it enough to stay out in a bad situation, OR with bad coaching decisions that leads to this kind of a blowout that is a personal embarassment to any athlete OR with no fan support outside of a few die-hard parents OR with other students who make fun of the bad team with rude comments. -- YOU OWE IT TO THEM. Because as an Official of the IHSA, that's what good sportsmanship is for an Umpire in that situation, looking out for the well being of the kids.
To the Winning Coach = congratualtions- what goes around comes around. - jerk.
Original Post
I had to re-read it to grasp your points