Excuses for Losing
The Umpire
This always comes in on the top of the charts. In fact we can divide this intotwo categories:
- the umpire was incompetent and blew the calls OR if the team lost by 5 or more runs
- the umpire cheated
The Opponent Cheated
The kids on the other team must all be small compared to yours; if they’re bigger, they are undoubtedly lying about their ages. It is also possible for a team to cheat with some other roster indiscretion but at no time can they be the better team.
We Didn't Have all our Players
The League or Tournament was Unfair
This is a more ambiguous conspiracy theory most often related to the schedule or the rules. Any of the above gives justification to coaches and parents to do any of the following even when the players are as young as 7 or 8:
- Scream and curse at the umpire
- Kick and throw objects e.g., bases
- Yell repeatedly that the game is fixed
- Mock the children on the other team
Explanation
There is nothing in the world more important than this game involving children. The league, the umpires and most world-leaders care deeply about which team wins the game. Most organizers would caste aside any personal integrity to determine which team receives a collection of $12 trophies.