Expert: Martin Hoover - 5/4/2007

Question
Hi Martin,

Question: we're setting up our end-of-season rec youth baseball tournament (Babe Ruth League, Ripken Division...not Little League).  The tournament for each division, e.g. "Minors," 9 & 10 year olds, is round robin style.  Of the five teams, each team plays the other one time (four games total, per team).  At the end of all those games, the two teams with the best tournament records will play each other for the championship.

We have one field, and unfortunately, games just can't go on forever, nor is it realistic for us to postpone tied games to another day.  How would you suggest handling games ending in ties?  Last year we tested this tournament system by calling a win 3 points, and a tie 1 point (like soccer).  But we're just flying by the seats of our collective pants here.  It occurs to us now that other leagues must face this kind of thing.  Do you have thoughts on this?

Thanks, Buzz

Answer
Buzz,

I have always found that double elimination works best with the situation you are faced with.  If not, then I think the guidelines you used last year are fine, granted there were no major complaints.

It is very difficult to finish a tournament in a short amount of time, so as long as you can agree on a structure that will accommodate your restrictions, you should be fine.  Just remember that trail and error and the best methods of running a tournament.

-Martin Hoover