Chicago White Sox Manager Tony La Russa made headlines this week by calling out his own player for violating one of baseball’s “unwritten rules.”

In a lopsided game, White Sox star Yermin Mercedes swung on a 3-0 pitch and hit a home run off Willians Astudillo, a position player for the Minnesota Twins.  La Russa thought it was unnecessary.

“If you think you have enough (runs), respect the game and opposition. Sportsmanship.” La Russa added, “I said a young player made a mistake -- which, by the way, he did -- and we need to acknowledge it. Part of how we get better as a team is, if something goes wrong, you address it.”

Not everyone across baseball or even in his own clubhouse agrees with the legendary manager, including last year’s National League Cy Young Award Winner Trevor Bauer.

Dear hitters: If you hit a 3-0 homer off me, I will not consider it a crime.

Dear people who are still mad about a hitter hitting: kindly get out of the game.

Can’t believe we’re still talking about 3-0 swings. If you don’t like it, managers or pitchers, just be better.

— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) May 18, 2021

The discussion on baseball’s “unwritten rules” has been going on for decades, however, it has intensified recently among those in and around the game on what is acceptable behavior and what violates the spirit of the game and its rules.  

La Russa, who has managed over 5,000 Major League Baseball games, strongly believes his team has a responsibility not to embarrass their opponent.

“If you’re going to tell me that sportsmanship and respect for the game of baseball and respect for your opponent is not an important priority, then I can’t disagree with you more,” Larussa said.

In this situation, many have disagreed with La Russa and have sided with Mercedes, noting that the Twins’ use of a position player as a pitcher and then subsequently throwing at Mercedes the following game is far more egregious than swinging 3-0.

New York Yankees Manager, Aaron Boone, has recommended a 10-run mercy rule that ‘would prevent situations like these.’

While this is a dispute among professionals in the MLB, should it be in dispute at the youth and high school level?  As coaches, we constantly think about how we would manage close game situations.  Do you bunt the runner over or let him swing away? Should I bat my best hitter in the #2 or #3 spot?  But how do you manage a game when the outcome is all but over? One-sided games can truly test your ability as a coach and your ability to create a ‘Development Zone’ culture that benefits your players long after the game’s final out.

Here’s what coaches can say when their team is UP big or DOWN big.

UP Big on the Scoreboard:

1. Demonstrate Humility: Without our opponent today, we wouldn’t have a game but would be practicing. We’ve been on the other side of the scoreboard too. Respect your opponent and demonstrate humility.  It is easy to play a game when you are winning, but it takes grit to compete while down big and our opponent is doing that and it should be respected. 
2. Make the Game More Challenging for Your Team: Hitters, this is a great opportunity to work on your weaknesses. If you struggle to hit the ball to the opposite field then that is what I want you to focus on the rest of the game. Pitchers, it benefits nobody throwing a fastball by them each time. Develop and work on your change-up.
3. Change-up positions...even before you have a big lead: How often do you hear a coach say, “Once we are up big we’ll let Billy pitch?” What about letting Billy pitch to start the game? If you fall behind, then what a great opportunity to see if your team has what it takes to come back and win.

DOWN Big on the Scoreboard:

1. Set small attainable goals: Let’s not focus on winning the game, let’s win this inning - let’s win the next pitch!
2. Overmatched at the plate?: The only way to get better is to face good pitchers. It’s not a threat but a challenge. It’s ok to strikeout, but let’s go down swinging.
3. Think Big Picture: “What an awesome opportunity to demonstrate how resilient we are as a team! I am glad we aren’t the type of team that quits.

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