Girls Basketball Team Regrets Winning 100-0 .....

PoppaJ · January 23, 2009 7:19AM

Many of us, if not most, have probably played sports at different levels of competition.

Have any of you, personally, ever experienced a similar outing such as THIS?

Please share your experience(s) in the following text:

1) what was the final score?
2) did you win or lose?
3) how did you feel at the time?
4) how do you feel now?
5) what do you feel is the right thing to do when a game's score gets out of control?

I think the worst butt-kicking I've ever experienced, was when I played football in high school and we lost 48-0, which wasn't that bad at all, considering it was football.

We were down in the dumps for a few days, but we got over it pretty quick, especially since we won our next game 13-7.

When I look back now, it really was no big deal.

Now, had we lost 100-0 .... I would probably be singing a different tune right now. That's why I would like to hear a few of your experiences, feelings, and views.

thanks in advance for any replies

PoppaJ

lawnmowerman · January 23, 2009 7:36AM

<< 1) what was the final score?
2) did you win or lose?
3) how did you feel at the time?
4) how do you feel now?
5) what do you feel is the right thing to do when a game's score gets out of control? >>

1. 25-2

2. Won

3. Couldn't have been happier

4. Now that you reminded me, couldn't be happier

5. Imo, play as hard as you can. If your opponent isn't up to the task, too bad for them

The game I am talking about was an 8th grade school softball game against St Joe's. We had to play softball because the Nuns and Priests who ran the school thought baseball would be too dangerous for us LOL

Anyway, they came to our house. I was the leadoff man for us and my first swing was a HR. My friends in the stands said as soon as I hit the ball, the opposing team's coach buried his head in his hands

He knew what was to come

BunchOBull · January 23, 2009 7:43AM

There just isn't enough to this story to make valid judgements. The term learning "differences" is too vague, for one. Next, were they girls playing full court press for 32 or 48 minutes (or how ever long their high school games run)? Did the coaches put the JV and young players in after half-time? Before? Were they setting limitations on their team before allowing them to drive to the hoop?

In JV football, I played ball against the Georgia School for the Deaf. Those boys had a disability, but they were all bright, intelligent athletes who we happened to pound on the football field. It was a clean game, but obvious win for our team.

I don't thing the losing team was beaten because of learning "differences," I think they were beaten because they were a small school attempting to participate in athletics with a shallow pool of players to choose from.

Now, if the winning team's coach did nothing to keep his team from showboating and running up the score, shame on him. I find that hard to believe though. Either way, you can't blame the girls on the team...it's on the coaches...either one for not calling the game and/or one for not doing the right thing to slow the progress of the game.

I would never tell an athlete to not do their best, but truly dominant players can respectfully slow the pace of the game in order to allow the clock to run out, without taunting or playing keepaway. That may have happened here...the story doesn't tell all.

edited to add...

In reference to the questions...I don't really have an answer, but in varsity ball I remember we had an undefeated season with 3 games in a row whose final scores were 41-0, 45-0, 49-0, respectively. We received some flack for that...which I thought was stupid and still do, though I'm really indifferent.

digicat · January 23, 2009 7:46AM

Don't they have a "mercy rule" in high school sports to prohibit these kinds of blowouts?

zep33 · January 23, 2009 7:50AM

yeah 101 points, they didn't make it

digicat · January 23, 2009 7:56AM

<< 5. Imo, play as hard as you can. If your opponent isn't up to the task, too bad for them >>

"Mercy is for the weak", huh?

lawnmowerman · January 23, 2009 8:02AM

<< 

<< 5. Imo, play as hard as you can. If your opponent isn't up to the task, too bad for them >>

"Mercy is for the weak", huh? >>

Not at all.

You can win by big margains and be classy about it.

Goot · January 23, 2009 8:20AM

1) what was the final score?
2) did you win or lose?
3) how did you feel at the time?
4) how do you feel now?
5) what do you feel is the right thing to do when a game's score gets out of control?

1) 63-15
2) LOST
3) Fine. They ended up winning the State Championships in class 3A this year....
4) Happy I got to play against amazing talent.
5) Remove most starters and running clock.

Allen · January 23, 2009 8:46AM

We used to play a team that had a kid with a wooden leg. He had a bad limp, but he was on the team and they would put him in the game. He made a pass and I stole the pass and scored and the crowd booed me unmercifully.

In the 100-0 situation they should blame the athletic director and if they do not have one then the principal. I have no idea how good the other team was, but clearly they should not have been playing each other. I think in that case it would be fine to hold the ball the entire second half and just pass it around without shooting.

otwcards · January 23, 2009 9:38AM

The team that lost has an enrollment of 20 students. 6 play on the basketball team. They have not won a game in 4 years.

The story isn't as much the score as it was the actions of the winning teams coach, players and parents. Covenant, a private Christian school, put full court pressure on Dallas Academy and gave up lay-ups to attempt 3 pointers. The obvious intent was to reach the 100 point level. Once they reached the 100 point mark, with about 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, they went into a four corner game and did not attempt another shot.

Parents for Covenant were cheering wildly and screaming for them to go for 100 point midway through the second quarter. Convenant reached 59 points at half-time and left most of their starters in the entire game, substituting only after reaching 100 points.

Dallas Academy is a school that specializes in students with learning disabilities. The students disabilities range from learning disabled to functional autism.

All-in-all, it wasn't an even playing field, and there is no doubt that Covenant was the better team, but the attempt to run up the score, regardless of the opponent, is poor sportsmanship and even more insulting when the school is founded on Christian morals.

Spin it however you want, but Convenant and their fans should be ashamed, and in hindsight, I bet most of them are!

sfmays24 · January 23, 2009 9:41AM

Well said, Scott

Mike

BunchOBull · January 23, 2009 9:57AM

<< The team that lost has an enrollment of 20 students. 6 play on the basketball team. They have not won a game in 4 years.

The story isn't as much the score as it was the actions of the winning teams coach, players and parents. Covenant, a private Christian school, put full court pressure on Dallas Academy and gave up lay-ups to attempt 3 pointers. The obvious intent was to reach the 100 point level. Once they reached the 100 point mark, with about 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, they went into a four corner game and did not attempt another shot.

Parents for Covenant were cheering wildly and screaming for them to go for 100 point midway through the second quarter. Convenant reached 59 points at half-time and left most of their starters in the entire game, substituting only after reaching 100 points.

Dallas Academy is a school that specializes in students with learning disabilities. The students disabilities range from learning disabled to functional autism.

All-in-all, it wasn't an even playing field, and there is no doubt that Covenant was the better team, but the attempt to run up the score, regardless of the opponent, is poor sportsmanship and even more insulting when the school is founded on Christian morals.

Spin it however you want, but Convenant and their fans should be ashamed, and in hindsight, I bet most of them are! >>

That's absolutely amazing. I can't begin to believe a coach would encourage or allow such behaviour. I'm glad to know the full story now. That's completely on Covenant's coach then. I believe they have many schools all over the state of Texas and the country...I've sat in on one of their local Houston boardmeetings. Certainly not the image they were so worried about building and protecting at the meeting. Their board of Parisheners need to reprimand the coach.

hobart4281 · January 23, 2009 10:03AM

<< The team that lost has an enrollment of 20 students. 6 play on the basketball team. They have not won a game in 4 years.

The story isn't as much the score as it was the actions of the winning teams coach, players and parents. Covenant, a private Christian school, put full court pressure on Dallas Academy and gave up lay-ups to attempt 3 pointers. The obvious intent was to reach the 100 point level. Once they reached the 100 point mark, with about 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, they went into a four corner game and did not attempt another shot.

Parents for Covenant were cheering wildly and screaming for them to go for 100 point midway through the second quarter. Convenant reached 59 points at half-time and left most of their starters in the entire game, substituting only after reaching 100 points.

Dallas Academy is a school that specializes in students with learning disabilities. The students disabilities range from learning disabled to functional autism.

All-in-all, it wasn't an even playing field, and there is no doubt that Covenant was the better team, but the attempt to run up the score, regardless of the opponent, is poor sportsmanship and even more insulting when the school is founded on Christian morals.

Spin it however you want, but Convenant and their fans should be ashamed, and in hindsight, I bet most of them are! >>

Very well said, indeed!

leathtech · January 23, 2009 10:06AM

I currently coach freshman girls basketball and games can quickly get out of control... I been involved in games where we have been blown out and also have blown out other teams. I've use both situations a learning opportunities, when up by a large margin I teach the players about humility and when we are down I set attainable goals during the game for the girls to reach.

Being involved in High School sports both playing and coaching for almost 18 years now, I've seen some coaches that have no clue what it means to be a high school coach and do more harm than good for kids... Everyone wants to win but more importantly it's about teaching respect, discipline, and teamwork. Contrary to popular belief not every kid is going to be a division 1 athlete and earn a scholarship - in reality those players only come along every few years if you are lucky!

otwcards · January 23, 2009 10:17AM

The most interesting thing that I've seen from various reports is that the young women from Dallas Academy never bowed their heads and never gave up, never tried to pick a fight or complain. Several, in interviews, mentioned that it's a game and that you have to play until it's over.

The most compelling statement I heard was, "The one thing we've learned in school is that we'll never win if we quit." The final score may have been 100-0, but in my eyes, the girls of Dallas Academy are the winners!

I certainly hope they take up Mark Cuban on his offer. And I hope they get to meet the Mavs and that the Mavs make these young women feel like winners!

Tabe · January 23, 2009 6:17PM

Have been on both sides of this equation as a player and as a coach.

LOSING SIDE - in a co-ed softball league, my team was getting murdered. The other guys were out of our league and half our roster wasn't there. They ran up a huge lead and then intentionally misplayed balls and committed errors so we could score and keep within the mercy rule, thus extending the game. With 2 outs, and us closing in on being within the mercy rule, I came to the plate. I bunted - an automatic out in slow pitch softball. Game over. Lots of people were pissed about that but I refused to allow a team to intentionally embarrass us like that.

WINNING SIDE - coaching a JV baseball game, the other guys used up all their pitchers in the first half of a doubleheader. For the second game, they were running guys out there that couldn't throw the ball over the plate. I told our guys they could continue to pound anything over the plate or take walks. But stealing, scoring from 1st on a double, tagging from 3rd on flies, or advancing on wild pitches was out. We ended up winning like 35-2 or something.

WINNING SIDE - coaching a freshman football game; the previous year against the same school, they loaded up their *JV* team to play against us and beat us by a couple touchdowns. They called a timeout with like 30 seconds left to try and score again. Well, with this particular game, they played their actual freshmen against us and were thoroughly overmatched. I was intent on pouring it on, even telling my guys at halftime that I wanted them to score 60. I had time to rethink that, however, and pulled off the pedal and even had our QB take a knee late in the game rather than scoring again to reach 50. We ended up winning like 44-12 or 44-6 or something.

It disgusts me when a coach runs up the score against an overmatched opponent. In the pros? Sure, go for it. But low-level high school or amateur ball? Gimme a break. You can win big and still be classy about it. And chucking up 3s late in a game when you've SHUT OUT your opponent ain't it.

Tabe

cwazzy · January 23, 2009 11:40PM

Apparently Lisa Leslie scored 101 points in the first half of a basketball game in high school. The team refused to get back on the court after half-time and ended up forfeiting the game. Just thought I would throw that out there.

Chris

baseballfan · January 23, 2009 11:45PM

they were up 59-0 at the half and shot 3 pointers and pressed until they got to 100 with 4 minutes to play and then stopped playing. this doesn't sound like sportsmanship or playing harder then the other team and being better it sounds like they wanted 100 and played for that.

i don't think they were classy about it. you go out beat a team and then adjust to the specific game itself, it the other team is not up to the challenge there is no reason to hang 100 on them and then stop playing. if you can reach 100 in the framework of the game and need that number to win so be it. but i think this was over at the half if not the first quarter. the winning coach should have tought his/her players something about respect for the game, themselves and the other team.

i coach the local high school baseball team and i will admit some coaches just don't understand the concept, but its high school and not all teams are created equal. The Dallas Academy, a small private school with 20 girls, is for students with learning disabilities. when i played basketball in high school our 9th grade team played the local school for the deaf, we beat them but we did not embarass them, the goal was to win not embarass.

just my two cents

bman90278 · January 24, 2009 12:16AM

There is no reason for a score like that to ever happen. There had to be some players on the winning team that could have used some real playing time. Plus the winning team could have worked the game clock every possession and ran off as much time off every possession . They could have played a really soft defense. They could have fouled the other team a few times and let them go to the line. There is just no reason for something like that to happen. I really think the Head Coach should come under pressure from the school to Never let something like that happen again. Yes I wouldn't have a problem if they had won like 76 to 21, but 100 to 0.

Brian

Morgoth · January 24, 2009 12:34AM

I think the coach will be in big trouble with his Principle after that one. No reason for it at all. Sad thing is they are religous based schools that have a history of working together. The coach should have had a plan before the game for what happens when it gets out of hand. Maybe have some JV players come in, etc. To keep the press on and shoot threes is beyond classless. The other schools in their league were also appalled and said how much they enjoyed seeing the girls score even 1 point in games against their teams.

Sportsamerica · January 24, 2009 12:39AM

I once played in in High School Basketball game in which we won 126-13. Now at halftime the score was something like 69-4.. We put in the "players who normally don't play." During the game us starters were cherring for these players since they didn't get much playing time, we were encouraging them to play hard.. In our case, I don't think anyone had an issue with it because we did not try to run up the score... Since this team was in our league, the next time we played, our coach only left the starters play one period, and left the rest play the rest of the game... I think that game we ended up winning something like 69-35..

If the way I read the article, the coach should be shot for running up the score...

Allen · January 24, 2009 1:27AM

If the score was 100-4 would this still be a story?

I once shot a 3 in a run out the clock situation in a win and I made the 3 only because the entire crowd got free tacos if we scored 80 points. The whole crowd was chanting for tacos, what was I gonna do? Make them all pay $.79 for a taco?

CARDSANDCOINS · January 24, 2009 1:38AM

In the early 1960's St.charles played Batavia in Boys high scholl basketball and lost 3-2. Batavia's coach wanted his team to win the tip every quarter and then stall for 8 minutes and then throw up a buzzer beater.

otwcards · January 24, 2009 1:38AM

<< If the score was 100-4 would this still be a story? >>

Actually, it may not have gotten the coverage, but would the story be any different? Would Covenant have been any classier had Dallas Academy scored a basket? Absolutely not!

BigDaddyBowman · January 24, 2009 2:02AM

I am a high school Athletic Director..and I am VERY glad that this did not occur at my school! No matter the details..it is a lose..lose situation for all involved. If the coach did indeed "run up" the score that outrageously...he wouldn't be on my coaching staff very long after.

Before I acted on this, I would speak to both coaches, the other A.D. and game officials to determine:
1) What were the actions of my coach and players? Did the coach clear his bench quickly or did he keep his starters in most of the game? If the 2nd and 3rd team players were the ones who did most of the scoring it is a little different in my opinion. It is very difficult to tell a kid "don't play hard."

2) Did the coach employ a strategy to slow the game down? Did they press all game because that is all that is taught to the team, and they don't know any other system?

3) Was their any attempt by coaches and game officials to make accomodations to limit embarrassment? Running clock, limit penalties called etc. Did my coach do everything in his power to ensure good sportsmanship?

4) As A.D. I would also question why I scheduled this team in the first place..same league maybe?

5) it sounds like the "winners" were the real "losers" in this game.

Boopotts · January 24, 2009 2:04AM

Are you competing to win? Or are you competing to win AND to embarrass your opponent at the same time? People may answer this question in different ways, but your answer will, I think, reveal something about your character.

IchiroDeported · January 24, 2009 3:25AM

clearly this could happen with every game the losing team plays. There needs to be some communication and understanding beforehand, maybe there is such an agreement, maybe the score COULD have been 200 to zero.

SidePocket · January 24, 2009 4:47AM

Put some of this on the player's parents. It doesn't sound like any of them had the grace or dignity to mention something to the coach. You can also put some of it on the players themselves.

Morgoth · January 24, 2009 4:49AM

According to other articles about this situation the other teams in the league do understand the issue. Remember this team hasn't won in 4 years. It wasn't like they caught them at a bad time. One other school in their conference stated that they make sure this exact thing doesn't happen when they play them. I can't believe parents of the Covenant team would be cheering wildly at a slaughter like that.

Morgoth · January 24, 2009 4:52AM

Another thing if you were a parent of a Covenant kid would you be more proud of your kid if

A. They kept stealing passes and shooting layups to run up their own stats
B. They started cheering, helping and tutoring the other teams players in a show of sportsmanship and friendship.

Carew29 · January 24, 2009 4:58AM

Brief story---H.S.(king/queen night)was switched at the last moment two days prior to the big game that friday night to the following weekend. We lost that original friday night football game 56-0. As it was re-scheduled the following week we won that game 72-0. Got the yearbook to back up the scores....

1) what was the final score? 56-0 and 72-0
2) did you win or lose? YES AND YES
3) how did you feel at the time? Like s***, and happy as a muddle ducker
4) how do you feel now? ask me after my Super Bowl bet
5) what do you feel is the right thing to do when a game's score gets out of control? Drink more beer

ripkenintheminors · January 24, 2009 5:05AM

Maybe not so much on this level of scoring, but I've been at plenty of games that make me scratch my head at the behavior of the adults. Typically the response I'm told is that you have to "teach the kids the game" as if teaching sport fundamentals are more important than life fundamentals. Fortunately a lot of local youth sports such as coach pitch or t-ball do not even keep score anymore. Sure we want "our kids" to feel good about themselves but sometimes we have to ask at what cost.

Allen · January 24, 2009 5:29AM

The act of giving every child a 27th place medal and telling them they are all winners has brought us to this.

NickM · January 24, 2009 5:52AM

The game where Lisa Leslie scored 101 points in the first half was against my old high school. Plenty of national media was at that game, and the coverage by the reporter from The National (which was then a sports daily paper) was very illuminative as to what actually happened.

Inglewood High was the best team in the league, and South Torrance High among the weakest - even if it didn't have 3 of its regular players out with injuries.

Inglewood's administration invited all the big sports media to the game (it was their final home game of the season), and told them that they intended to have Leslie break the single-game scoring record (105 points).

The start of the game was delayed for about an hour and a half because the Sports Illustrated reporter wasn't there.

Once the game started, the timekeeper and referees collaborated in cheating by routinely not starting the clock until long after the ball was in play - often not until after it had crossed halfcourt. South High's coach could be heard by spectators yelling at refs "The clock's not running" on a number of different possessions, and the refs simply ignored it. League officials were in attendance, and took no effort to correct the problem. They had to have noticed it. Fans were talking about it (and sometimes yelling about it) as it was happening. The reporter from The National estimated this stretched out the clock by at least 5 minutes.

Inglewood players were instructed to not take a shot, and just pass the ball to Leslie. In several cases, players passed up layups to do so (one of them all alone on a fast break).

When Inglewood players other than Leslie were fouled and awarded free throws, they intentionally missed their free throws, trying to get Leslie an offensive rebound for a basket. She was 4" taller than South's tallest player, so she got quite a few of them. Inglewood fans were booing their own players for that. One of their players made one free throw. That was the only scoring by any Inglewood player other than Leslie in the half.

At the half, the score was 102-26. South had 5 players who fouled out, and with 3 players not there due to illness, was down to 4 people. Under California high school rules, the game would go on with a team shorthanded.

South's coach made a decision at halftime not to let his team be subjected to any more embarrassment in that farce (and when referees are intentionally overlooking rules violations to help one player accomplish an individual goal, it's a farce), and to forfeit the game.

South High players unanimously supported their coach's actions, and students, parents, and alumni overwhelmingly supported him.

Nick

IchiroDeported · January 24, 2009 5:56AM

at the very lowest levels of sports where the kids are 5-7 years old i have no problem with it being completely instructional and everyone plays; everyone participates. its common sense. As the kids get older and the ones who really want to participate and have the ability excel it makes sense to separate them into rec and competitive. by the time they are in little league and up etc. its time to keep score. failure is part of life, the sooner you learn about it the sooner you can try harder next time.

thehallmark · January 24, 2009 6:23AM

<< Are you competing to win? Or are you competing to win AND to embarrass your opponent at the same time? People may answer this question in different ways, but your answer will, I think, reveal something about your character. >>

I agree with some of this. Certainly our responses to this topic will say more about our own baggage than it will about our ability to reason through the actual dilemma. Well, for most of us that will be true.

The problem I have with your point is that all types of people get embarassed for different reasons and to different degrees. Not every 8th grade girl would be emotionally devastated about a 100-0 loss. I know for a fact that I'd be embarassed if anyone ever let up on me because they were beating me so badly. How do you reconcile that sort of embarassment? Should you?

I don't think that preventing embarassment should be a factor when people are competing. If that was really a major goal - to not embarass your opponents - you'd have to find out all about their personalities ahead of time and then adjust your play accordingly. Why should anyone bother with that??

I agree very much with lawnmowerman - everyone should play their hardest all the time and the final score is what it is. The coach of the losing team always has the first option to wave the white flag if need be.

Just because people appear to be victims doesn't mean they have been victimized.

41GoudeyGuy · January 24, 2009 7:21AM

My son's 4th grade basketball team won this morning 48-0. My son's team score is approximate because the league gratefully turned off the scoreboard at halftime. I'm sure my son had the time of his life beating the heck out of the other team. As a parent, I know my son has been on teams nearly as bad as the team we played against today and I know how difficult it is to deal with. I'm sure my son will completely forget about the game by the time the next game is played.

The setup of the league allows this type of imbalance to occur and I don't see how anybody benefits from the situation. The league has the coaches to form the teams prior to signup so if a coach is active in recruiting he can get the best 10 players in the area. Kids who want to play but are not signed up through a recruited team are thrown together onto a team like we played against today. The coach was likely persuaded to coach by the league who needed somebody to "help" these kids. The kids are getting their heads handed to them every weekend and becoming disillusioned by the sport, many never to sign-up again. The opponents are not getting any kind of learning opportunity from playing a game that offers no competitive basis whatsoever.

The league's actions though indicated that they recognize the situation and do make some effort to try and create an artificial balance but obviously the results were not significant. Fouls, traveling, etc were strictly called against the better team while the other team was only called for extremly flagrant violations. Ten steps was not traveling, but 20-30 would probably get you whistled but only if you were driving toward the basket. Every ball that went out of bounds somehow went against the better team.

The entire morning was very unfortunate for everybody involved and since we are not the best team in the league, there will be worse outcomes. I feel sorry for the kids who were motivated enough to come out and sign up for the league that will now likely never play again. It's unfortunate they have to be subjected to this embarassment week in and week out.

storm888 · January 24, 2009 7:30AM

"The act of giving every child a 27th place medal and telling them they are all winners has brought us to this. "

/////////////////

Sadly it is so.

It's an interesting story, and each person's view on the matter
is largely shaped by their own experiences and upbringing.

As a ute in the 50s and 60s, the notion that "everybody" gets to
play was totally foreign in ALL organized sports I played. ONLY
the good/skilled players were allowed to play. Sometimes, I was
one of the "good," sometimes not. Folks who did not get to play
simply practiced harder in an effort to get to play "next week."
It all seemed normal, and it certainly is how the real world works.

The everybody-plays nonsense is great for parents who have been
unable to teach their kids that winning/losing at sports, while it
seems important as a kid, is TOTALLY meaningless and non-contributive
to success/failure in 99.99% of the population that reaches adulthood.

If MOST adults hung their success/failure flag on their childhood-sports
flag-post, we would have a terminally depressed population. Sports
parents and neo-socialist doctrine can't make kids whose play stinks,
not stink. Kids ONLY get "permanently ruined" by adult reactions to
losses; not by the losses themselves.

...........

According to FOX, the score in the instant game was 79-0 before any
subs were sent in by the winning coach.

While I would have let the stinkers play sooner, the winning coach was
no more obligated to do so than was the losing coach to forfeit after the
scoring outcome became obvious.

Life is harsh and unfair. Good for me that I learned about that as a kid,
and was, thus, not disappointed and surprised as an adult.

edmundfitzgerald · January 24, 2009 7:36AM

If I were the AD, the coach would have been brought into my office, and I would have said,

"Thank you for your time here at our school. I wish you success in your next coaching opportunity."

41GoudeyGuy · January 24, 2009 7:37AM

A long time ago I was playing in the 10-11 year old baseball county championships. In that season I was the top pitcher on our team so as we entered the tournament I was naturally the starting pitcher in the first inning. In hindsight, this was a mistake. In the top of the first inning I struck out the side on 11-12 pitches. In the bottom of the first we scored 18 runs to absolutely whollop the other team. Lots of walks, some hits, tons of errors, you can imagine. This team somehow won their league that year but had absolutely no ability to play at our level. Because of the inning limitations rules I was pulled from the game and a player who had not pitched or warmed up once all season was put in to finish the game. The final was 33-3. We only played 3 innings because it got too dark to continue. Our coach did what was right in that situation by pulling all of his top players and putting in all the lesser players. Everybody played positions they always wanted to play but couldn't be trusted to play in a game of any significance. Batters however, were not allowed to "bat left handed" or strike out on purpose. We were told to swing at anything close though so we could get in the three innings necessary to make it an official game.

In this case, the team we were playing had some ability. Not enough to play against us that day (or likely any other day) but they had enjoyed some success when they won their league championship. The rest of the story is, in the next game I was only able to pitch 5 of the 6 innings because I had pitched that one insignificant inning. We had the lead going into that last inning but my replacement gave up the runs that cost us the game.

41GoudeyGuy · January 24, 2009 7:44AM

On additional note to the Lisa Leslie game. When the other team did not return after halftime, her team was awarded technical fouls every couple of minutes they were late. She hit 5 technical fouls to get to 106 points, but, when the game was officially ended at halftime, those points were not included in the final total.

POKERBOT · January 24, 2009 8:21AM

The thing to do in this situation reminds me of what our 6th grade basketball coach did faced with the same circumstances.

We were like 7-0 or something like that when we had this school on the scheduel that did not belong. He left the top 6 players at home and let the guys who never got to play start the game and finish it. He coached his butt off and the players on both sides played to win. We ended up winning a close game and went on the rest of the season with only 1 loss.

Now that is the classy way to handle a situation like this, for all of the kids, parents etc.. Both teams played to win.

Morgoth · January 24, 2009 8:49AM

I think some people are resorting to philosophy rather than sticking to the facts. The team and coaches purposefully ran up the score for no reason other than to hit a magic #. They could have done many other things such as play their subs early, not shoot 3s and stop full court pressing but they didn't. They deserve all the negative attention especially against a team with kids with disabilities.

storm888 · January 24, 2009 9:22AM

<< I think some people are resorting to philosophy rather than sticking to the facts. The team and coaches purposefully ran up the score for no reason other than to hit a magic #. They could have done many other things such as play their subs early, not shoot 3s and stop full court pressing but they didn't. They deserve all the negative attention especially against a team with kids with disabilities. >>

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There is some merit to those conclusions, but it is largely based on a "philosophy."

.....

And, in my philosophy, "short attention span" is a pretty interesting "disability."

...........

Like one losing player said, "It was a good learning experience."

Seems like everybody but the players made a big deal out of the affair.

thenavarro · January 24, 2009 10:10AM

I faced a similar situation this morning. I coach my daughter's 3-5 year old basketball team. This morning, our competition was seriously overwhelmed. Quarters are only 8 minutes long and the clock continuously running, so it goes by pretty fast. We could have literally beat the other team probably around 60-0 if I had let my kids play 100%. I let them play hard the first 4 minutes and we were already winning 12-0, the other team couldn't even get a shot off, and we were letting them get to the free throw line before we guarded them. I didn't want to embarass the other team, so I called a timeout, modified our strategy (we played defense with no hands, feet only) and had a minimum number of passes before we could shoot, and controlled who and who could not shoot, and we only won 30-4. It's hard to get kids' that age to understand that although in practice you have been working on hands up, contest each shot, block out, bodies on the offensive player, etc., that now they have to back away and change instantly. The other team's parents appreciated it and even said thanks after the game for the changes we made, and my kids still had just as much fun trying different things and different scenarios. The other team was so excited with the 2 buckets that they made, the kids that hit those two shots absolutely lit up with smiles. It was a win-win for everyone involved. Compassion can go a long way, and I'm one of the most competitive persons you will ever meet, but it was the right thing to do.

Mike

PoppaJ · January 24, 2009 10:20AM

<< I faced a similar situation this morning. I coach my daughter's 3-5 year old basketball team. This morning, our competition was seriously overwhelmed. Quarters are only 8 minutes long and the clock continuously running, so it goes by pretty fast. We could have literally beat the other team probably around 60-0 if I had let my kids play 100%. I let them play hard the first 4 minutes and we were already winning 12-0, the other team couldn't even get a shot off, and we were letting them get to the free throw line before we guarded them. I didn't want to embarass the other team, so I called a timeout, modified our strategy (we played defense with no hands, feet only) and had a minimum number of passes before we could shoot, and controlled who and who could not shoot, and we only won 30-4. It's hard to get kids' that age to understand that although in practice you have been working on hands up, contest each shot, block out, bodies on the offensive player, etc., that now they have to back away and change instantly. The other team's parents appreciated it and even said thanks after the game for the changes we made, and my kids still had just as much fun trying different things and different scenarios. The other team was so excited with the 2 buckets that they made, the kids that hit those two shots absolutely lit up with smiles. It was a win-win for everyone involved. Compassion can go a long way, and I'm one of the most competitive persons you will ever meet, but it was the right thing to do.

Mike >>

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Hi Mike,

that was definitely a very honorable way of handling your team.

I commend your judgement as a coach and as an example to many that witnessed your display of sportsmanship.

Your team is blessed to have you as their coach and mentor.

What a valuable lesson to teach your daughter, too!

thanks for sharing

PoppaJ

storm888 · January 24, 2009 10:42AM

"...Compassion can go a long way, and I'm one of the most competitive persons you will ever meet, but it was the right thing to do."

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thenavarro's story is nice.

.....

Since, on an institutional/mass basis, letting the unskilled have special
consideration in kids' sports is a relatively new phenom, I wonder what impact
it will have on the current crop of young folks when they reach adulthood.

Mostly, I worry that those who are thought to be gaining "self-esteem"
from being "treated equally" will not be prepared for how things really
are on the planet.

Greatness Through Excellence seems pretty much a dead concept.

Maybe it will work out ok.

I dunno.

/////////////////////////

Back in the day, the coaches used to say to their star players, "If you
don't start playing this game like you did in practice yesterday, I WILL
send stormy in there JUST because he wants to play."

Nowadays, stormy would be starting even if he wasn't the best player.

Morgoth · January 24, 2009 1:10PM

Your basing things on a theory that you as a coach would have to play your best kids all the time or otherwise it is a cop out. They could have played their best kids until the game is no longer in doubt. Played the subs the rest of way and it would have been better for the team. Maybe work on passing skills, etc. Just because you pull your starters or switch gameplans doesn't mean your players will forget how to compete. What if the star player got hurt scoring the 100th point and was lost for the season?

thehallmark · January 24, 2009 2:38PM

<< They could have played their best kids until the game is no longer in doubt. >>

Sure, they could have subbed out their best kids. But that team doesn't owe anyone anything. And why do you assume that taking it easy on the opponents is the best method of protecting their feelings? Leagues generally have rules. If what happened was so awful, that particular league can institute new rules preventing blowouts of lesser skilled teams. Create a mercy rule and you don't have to have these interminably irrational debates about how to lose politely.

I still say that the coach of the unskilled team was the one who had the obligation to stop the game.....if anyone did.

<< What if the star player got hurt scoring the 100th point and was lost for the season? >>

What if a it was a close game and all of the cheering shook the foundation of the building and the roof fell and everyone on the court died? This is fun. Let's all come up with non-sensical "what if" scenarios!

Morgoth · January 24, 2009 2:47PM

Its the same scenerio NFL teams have for after making the playoffs to not play starters. Why keep your star in up 80 to nothing? nothing more to gain in that situation and only something to lose. Injuries happening in a game actually do happen but maybe not in your fantasy world were beating teams with disabilites is just as fun as tripping blind people.

Boopotts · January 24, 2009 2:51PM

<< 

<< They could have played their best kids until the game is no longer in doubt. >>

Sure, they could have subbed out their best kids. But that team doesn't owe anyone anything. And why do you assume that taking it easy on the opponents is the best method of protecting their feelings? Leagues generally have rules. If what happened was so awful, that particular league can institute new rules preventing blowouts of lesser skilled teams. Create a mercy rule and you don't have to have these interminably irrational debates about how to lose politely.

I still say that the coach of the unskilled team was the one who had the obligation to stop the game.....if anyone did.

<< What if the star player got hurt scoring the 100th point and was lost for the season? >>

What if a it was a close game and all of the cheering shook the foundation of the building and the roof fell and everyone on the court died? This is fun. Let's all come up with non-sensical "what if" scenarios! >>

It's one thing to compete-- quite another to put on a full court press, and to drop back behind the three point line and drain triples.

And in response to storm, I don't at all see how the special treatment issue comes into play. If you would run it up against any other team, but refuse to do so against this particular team, that's one thing. But what everyone here is saying is that it's poor form to run it up when you're ahead by 70 in the third quarter, or whatever, no matter who you're playing. Whether the opponent's team is filled with girls who have some kind of disability is immaterial to the argument at hand.

Again: You either play to win, or you play to win AND to embarrass your opponent at the same time. I tend to think you reach the high road by going through the first door.

Girls Basketball Team Regrets Winning 100-0 .....

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