NEWSLINE STORY

published May-June 2016

Mixed Classes – Advantages and Disadvantages

by Dan Sanders, 1^st Vice President, By-Laws, Rules and Grievance Director

The mixing of Classes in Tournament Play has become very controversial. Some pitchers are very much in favor of it, and others are very much against it. But before we get into the pros and cons of mixing, it's important that we define what 'mixing' is because it can mean several different things. It can refer to the mixing of genders … male and female. It can refer to the mixing of the many different Divisions that have been created; i.e. Men, Women, Seniors, Elders, and Juniors. And, of course, it can refer to the mixing of pitching distances within a Class, primarily 40-footers with 30-footers. And it is this 'mixed-distance' mixing that has become the most controversial.

Let's first consider some of the possible advantages of mixing Classes. In many of our more local tournaments, where the total number of entries is lower, the mixing of Divisions makes it possible to keep the ringer percentage 'spread' closer together, from the top to the bottom of the Class, giving everyone in that Class a better chance of winning some games. In a Class of 8, where there might be 4 full-distance and 4 short-distance pitchers, the percentage spread might be 10% or less. In a Class of 8 full-distance or 8 short-distance pitchers, the %age spread would most likely be much greater that this, especially for the highest or lowest percentage pitchers/Classes in that tournament. And so for 8-pitcher Classes, it is much easier to create Classes with a 'tighter' ringer percentage by 'mixing' pitching distances, making it a more competitive group. In Charters where mixing within Classes is generally acceptable, this is the best and easiest way to create competitive Classes. Mixing, however, is not acceptable in some Charters, and so what other options are there?

How can TD's create more competitive Classes without mixing? Well, here are some options to consider:

1) Reduce the size of the Class; say from eight to six pitchers.

Advantages - This will most always reduce the percentage 'spread'.

Disadvantages - Some pitchers may not be happy about pitching only five games, especially if they've driven a great distance.

2) If the percentage spread is still too high, reduce the size of the Class to four pitchers and play a double round robin.

Advantages - This may be an even more competitive Class, giving all of the pitchers a better change to win games. They will also be pitching 6 games instead of 5, as above.

Disadvantages - Some may not like to pitch against the same pitcher twice in the same tournament. With fewer in the Class, the amount of any prize money offered will be less than if more pitchers were 'paying into' that Class. And if trophies or plaques are awarded, more of them will be required for these additional, smaller Classes.

3) Use of handicapping for Classes where the ringer percentage spread is more than 8 or 10 percent.

Advantages - a) The lower average pitchers will have a better chance of winning over higher average pitchers since points will be added to their 'scratch' scores. b) All, or most, Class sizes can be kept at 8 pitchers with each pitcher pitching 7 games. c) If there are say 3 flights of pitchers over the course of the day, this will help to keep starting times 'on time', especially if the games are limited to a certain number of shoes, usually 40 or 50.

Disadvantages - a) For a variety of reasons, some pitchers may refuse to enter tournaments where handicapping is used. b) Some TDs who do not use HS Master don't fully understand the handicap system and/or how to calculate handicaps.

Why are some full-distance pitchers so against pitching short-distance pitchers? This will be discussed in the next issue of Newsline.