In amateur baseball there is often a 10 run "mercy rule". Simply stated, if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs after 5 innings the game is over and the team with the most runs wins. Sometimes 5 innings are too many.
Licking Heights High School in Pataskala, Ohio met their rivals Harvest Prep April 5th. Licking Heights scored 16 runs in the first, 18 in the second and 31 and in the third. Although Licking Heights had 48 hits they also drew 13 walks and had 11 hit batters. Their league does have a 10 run mercy rule after 5 innings, but this was called for darkness after 3 with the score Licking Heights 65, Harvest Prep 0.
According to LH coach Jeff Boyer his team did not run on passed balls, didn't stretch hits, didn't steal. "It was the most awkward I've ever felt in 34 years of coaching." Harvest, comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores has been mercy ruled for all of their games this season. The two teams meet again next Tuesday.
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