The Scrimmage

This past weekend, High Schools all across Southern California were allowed by CIF-SS regulations to conduct their annual scrimmage. The CIF Blue Book defines a scrimmage as follows. "An interscholastic scrimmage in baseball is a training session between a minimum of two and a maximum of three schools where no score is kept, free substitution and time-outs are permitted, spectators are not urged to attend, and officials are not paid."

This is what makes a scrimmage unique and the reason why it is not counted as a contest. This format permits coaches to set up situations, get game experience in the execution of certain skills in a more controlled, relaxed format. The scrimmage also allows the coaches to freely substitute players in and out giving a great deal of flexibility not normally afforded in the game.

While many High School Baseball Coaches still run a scrimmage as it was intended to be, a training session with teachable moments and free substitution, some have gone far beyond this definition and treat it as a regular contest. Even to the point of sending a message or setting the tone for the season and playing to win. This attitude is far beyond the intent of the rule and reflects a selfish will to win when no score is to be kept.

I like this rule and as a traditionalist, I would not like to see it changed........only followed.