Homerboy
Lifer
- Mar 1, 2000
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Making a mockery of the sport? Really? It's illegal to do at U10 (under 10). At U12, little league has decided it's time for the kids to start learning how to stop people from doing this - because it's 100% legal from then on at every level. The reason you don't see it at the Pro-Level is because they've learned how to effectively defend it and actively practice rundown drills, specifically to STOP this from happening! If you could do it every time in college or major league ball, you'd be a legend (and rich).
So how is it making a mockery of the sport? It's legal, and the point is to score runs, right? If the other team can't stop him then I guess he's contributing to his team winning isn't he? He's not mocking the other competitors, he's challenging them to stop him. It IS a competition. They do keep score. The goal is to win. If it wasn't a part of the game, they'd have a rule to prevent it.
Might as well call tennis players who do a drop-shot at the net a 'mockery'. But I've never seen them turn down a point either.
Totally agree. Learn to beat it. One year the team my son played on had EXCELLENT base runners up and down the lineup - this was U13 or U14 I think. They took advantage every time they got on base with delayed steals, taking extra bases on walks, getting into run downs on purpose so the teammate ahead of them on base could go home. EVERYTHING was within the rules of the game. They were prepared and coached well to take advantage of their strengths. The other team was not prepared and had to adapt or lose. Some times figured it out and stopped it quickly. Other teams (and their fans) just started bitching and whining and doing nothing to actually get better.
Edit: Wait - they did cheat once but it was "meaningless" and in a blow out game and it involved my son (I dunno if that's good or bad). Basically, the coach showed me how to get home from 2nd on a bunt and it worked like a charm.
Son was on 2nd base with 1 out.
Batter squared up to bunt and son went on the pitch. As the bunt was laid down to 1st base, all eyes, including the 2 umpires (home plate and field ump) had eyes on the ball, the pitcher, 1st baseman, catcher and batter and everyone in the stands.
As my son approached 3rd base, he simply cut the corner and never touched the bag. Didn't come withing 10ft of it.
By the time the ball was thrown to 1st base, he was already stepping on home plate - safe by a mile.
Nobody said a word.
Obviously THAT was dirty as hell. But at the same time it was pretty funny I have to admit.