Little League World Series 2008 - Louisiana vs. Maryland (8/20) question?

Question

don't know how many people watched this game, but here's some info:

Louisiana & Maryland were both vying for a spot in the semi-finals today. LA had a 2-0 record coming in & MD had a 1-1 record. According to LLWS's rules for a tie-breaker (based on runs allowed, which i can't fully explain):

In order for MD to advance, they had to win the game with either a score of 10 runs (by the 3 1/2 inning), 11 runs (by the 4th inning), or 12+ runs (by the 5th or 6th inning). Keep in mind that LL games are only 6 innings long.

In order for LA to advance, they could simply win by scoring more runs than MD, or could lose the game as long as MD didn't score more than 9 runs.

[confusing yet? hold on, it gets better]

Sooo.... It gets to the 4th inning, and MD is winning 6-0 thanks to some back-to-back-to-back homers...

Except going into the 5th, they're now going to need 6 more runs in order to advance to the semi-finals.

During a pep-talk, MD's coach tells them to only score 3 runs during the 5th because of another LL rule that states that once a team is winning by 10+ runs, the game automatically ends.

But that brings me to my 1st question (sorry it took so long to get there): Doesn't the 10+ mercy rule only apply if the runs are scored by the 4th inning?? So why would the coach say something like that?

Anyway, MD ends up not scoring at all in the bottom of the 5th, so up pops another dilemma... The score is 6-0, we're down to the last inning, & LA's up to bat. If LA doesn't score at least 6 runs (in order to tie up the game & bring it into extra innings...), MD won't even get to bat again because if a home team is winning in the top of the last inning, the bottom half isn't even played.

So now my real question: Why didn't Maryland just let LA catch up a little?? Or why didn't LA just put up their worst players & get out, instead of risk giving MD another chance?

Instead, they both played hard, LA got 4 runs in, & advanced to the semi-finals even though they lost 4-6.

I know this is just LL & it's all about fun, but wasn't this a weird game?

Answer 1

ok, if little kids have to actually try to understand all THOSE rules.....THAT is NOT fun.   Seems like MD got jobbed to me...

Answer 2

Weird stuff like that happens sometimes.  Tournament rule 9(c)1 says: "If a manager or coach takes any action that results in making a travesty of the game, causing players to intentionally perform poorly for the purpose of extending or shortening a game, may result in a forfeit and/or suspension of the manager or coach."

The problem was the Maryland beat Louisiana who beat Washington who beat Maryland.  Because of that they couldn't use the head to head tie-breaker.

The next tie-breaker is runs allowed.  They don't use runs scored because that encourages teams to "pour it on".

Maryland put themselves in that position by not only losing to Washington but also by giving up 15 runs to them.

Answer 3

Thanks, good job dude. Ever think of working for ESPN. That was some d**n good play by play and well written.

And yeah, MD got ripped off. But like u stated, its all in fun and good sportsmanship. Once again, good job with the play by play LOL