By RJ Currie - a tongue-in-cheek look at sports and the world.
Tuesday 9 August 2022
The Bloomington (Calif.) High School girls basketball team once lost a game
161-2. What's really interesting is viewers remember who scored the losing
basket.
Mercy Rule When at the conclusion of the third quarter, or any point thereafter, if there is a point differential of forty (40) or more points, a running clock shall be instituted for the remainder of the game, regardless of the score. Example: 4th quarter "mercy rule" in effect. Point differential drops below 40 points - clock keeps running.
Clock will stop for time-outs and injuries. This applies to all levels of high school play.
Mercy Rules are fine, but the real problem is this: look at the scorebook of these games. Too many times, the winning coach keeps his starting five in the game until into the forth quarter. Their excuse always is "Why should I penalize my players just because the other team isn't as talented?"
Wonder what the over/under was!
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous. How could either coach let this happen?
ReplyDeleteChad
Agreed. Would there be a mercy rule these days?
DeleteMercy Rule When at the conclusion of the third quarter, or any point thereafter, if there is a point differential of forty (40) or more points, a running clock shall be instituted for the remainder of the game, regardless of the score.
ReplyDeleteExample: 4th quarter "mercy rule" in effect. Point differential drops below 40 points - clock keeps running.
Clock will stop for time-outs and injuries.
This applies to all levels of high school play.
A number of states have a mercy rule now, some at 30 points, some 35, and a couple at 40.
DeleteMercy Rules are fine, but the real problem is this: look at the scorebook of these games. Too many times, the winning coach keeps his starting five in the game until into the forth quarter. Their excuse always is "Why should I penalize my players just because the other team isn't as talented?"
ReplyDeleteSorry about the rant. Obviously, this is a real hot button with me.
ReplyDeleteChad
Rant away. The Mercy Rule is a good thing overall.
ReplyDelete