Sports "Cheating" Question

[Dos Equis]

Maybe I'll post this on the sports board too, but here is the situation.  I play in a softball league on a very good team.  Not sure why they let me play . . . .   But many of my teammates (probably most of them) and many players in the league use "loaded" bats.  These are bats that have had the top removed and material inserted to allow you to hit the ball harder and farther.  Our umps don't check the bats in this league. 

Our league rules incorporate ASA rules, which expressly prohibit "altered bats."  I don't use altered bats for this reason.  I'm tempted, because they really do make a difference, but it just seems wrong to me. 

Would you use them?

I'm one who thinks God doesn't care whether or not my team wins a softball game, but do you consider this an ethical, integrity, honesty, etc. issue?     

[Nordic Superman]

So you play for a team of cheating wankers?

[loco]

Personally, I would not use the loaded bats.  And I would suggest to the team to stop using them and challenge them to win without "cheating".  If they refuse, I would quit the team.

To me, it doesn't matter whether or not God cares if my team wins a softball game.  It's just a matter of principle.  It feels much better to win without "cheating", it's a good example to others, and it also paves the way I will act toward other things in life outside of sports.

[haider]

So you play for a team of cheating wankers?

If its against the rules, its against the rules. You can rationalist all u want but u guys are a buunch of cheating wankers it seems 

[Dos Equis]

Personally, I would not use the loaded bats.  And I would suggest to the team to stop using them and challenge them to win without "cheating".  If they refuse, I would quit the team.

To me, it doesn't matter whether or not God cares if my team wins a softball game.  It's just a matter of principle.  It feels much better to win without "cheating", it's a good example to others, and it also paves the way I will act toward other things in life outside of sports.

Thanks lolo.   

Would you quit the league too?  I'm fairly certain every team in the league uses loaded bats.  You should see how far some of those 160-70 pound guys hit the ball. 

One of my teammates has ribbed me a bit for not using them.  The funny thing is he's the biggest guy on the team, a former minor league player, and doesn't need to use them.

Before I started playing softball several years ago I had no idea how huge the sport is.  It’s a religion.  Most of my teammates play several times a week, play in tournaments, etc. 

[loco]

Thanks lolo.   

Would you quit the league too?  I'm fairly certain every team in the league uses loaded bats.  You should see how far some of those 160-70 pound guys hit the ball. 

One of my teammates has ribbed me a bit for not using them.  The funny thing is he's the biggest guy on the team, a former minor league player, and doesn't need to use them.

Before I started playing softball several years ago I had no idea how huge the sport is.  It’s a religion.  Most of my teammates play several times a week, play in tournaments, etc. 

lolo   

If every team in the league uses loaded bats, then I personally would not play for any of them.  But I would consider starting my own team and enforcing the "no loaded bats" rule within my team.  We might lose most, if not all games, but I would be proud to have the only team in the league that does not "cheat". 

If every team does use and wants to continue to use loaded bats, they should just get rid of that rule in that league.

[Deedee]

You could become a whistle blower Beach.  Maybe we'll read about you in the news, our very own outspoken soldier for justice right here on Getbig. 

[Dos Equis]

lolo   

If every team in the league uses loaded bats, then I personally would not play for any of them.  But I would consider starting my own team and enforcing the "no loaded bats" rule within my team.  We might lose most, if not all games, but I would be proud to have the only team in the league that does not "cheat". 

If every team does use and wants to continue to use loaded bats, they should just get rid of that rule in that league.

It's a nationwide rule.  Based on what I've learned since I've been playing, I doubt I could find a team or league that doesn't use them. 

Thanks for the comments. 

[Dos Equis]

You could become a whistle blower Beach.  Maybe we'll read about you in the news, our very own outspoken soldier for justice right here on Getbig. 

Oh not in this lifetime.  No snitching for me.    Maybe I'll just be a little more vocal with my teammates about me not using them. 

[240 is Back]

Don't use them.

[Andy Griffin]

Thanks lolo.   

Would you quit the league too?  I'm fairly certain every team in the league uses loaded bats.  You should see how far some of those 160-70 pound guys hit the ball. 

One of my teammates has ribbed me a bit for not using them.  The funny thing is he's the biggest guy on the team, a former minor league player, and doesn't need to use them.

Before I started playing softball several years ago I had no idea how huge the sport is.  It’s a religion.  Most of my teammates play several times a week, play in tournaments, etc. 

I realize I'm coming into this late, but I think you just answered your own question with your observation that "it's a religion."  Maybe some of your teammates (and opponents) have elevated the "sport" to an artificially high level of importance, which leads them to break the rules of the "sport" even if they are otherwise basically honest people.  I have spoken.

[Dos Equis]

Given my dreadful performance at the plate this past weekend, maybe I need to reconsider.      

[Hereford]

It's not cheating if you don't get caught.   

[Andy Griffin]

It's not cheating if you don't get caught.   

Or, as Bear Bryant once said, "If you ain't cheatin, you ain't tryin"

[Butterbean]

Would you use them? 

No

I'm one who thinks God doesn't care whether or not my team wins a softball game, but do you consider this an ethical, integrity, honesty, etc. issue?    

Yes

----that being said, I have my own problems/things with which I struggle.  In this specific case, it would be very easy for me to just not use them.....maybe because I'm not a competitive person..

[Dos Equis]

Thanks for the response Stella. 

I'm very competitive and I hate losing, but I don't try and win at all costs. 

That said . . . this past weekend we played the defending champions of our league.  Mercy ruled them.     The biggest proponent of juiced bats on our team hit two HRs in one inning.  He must have hit one about 350 feet.     He's the biggest guy on our team.  The smallest guy on our team also hit a HR using a juiced bat.  I had three singles.     (I'm not a power hitter anyway.)  It can be tempting. . . .

[Butterbean]

Thanks for the response Stella. 

I'm very competitive and I hate losing, but I don't try and win at all costs. 

That said . . . this past weekend we played the defending champions of our league.  Mercy ruled them.     The biggest proponent of juiced bats on our team hit two HRs in one inning.  He must have hit one about 350 feet.     He's the biggest guy on our team.  The smallest guy on our team also hit a HR using a juiced bat.  I had three singles.     (I'm not a power hitter anyway.)  It can be tempting. . . .

Stay strong BB!  Just say no to the juiced bat!!

3 singles are better than 3 outs

[Dos Equis]

Stay strong BB!  Just say no to the juiced bat!!

3 singles are better than 3 outs

I'm trying Stella.  I just came out of a three game slump.  Next time I hit a homerun (rare) I'll update the thread.   

[Dos Equis]

So this week, skinniest guy on the team, using a juiced bat, hits 3 homeruns and was 4-4 on the day.    I was 3-4 with 3 singles (again).       

[Get Rowdy]

Thou shalt not use altered bats.

[Dos Equis]

lol.  The 12th Commandment.   

[Butterbean]

lol.  The 12th Commandment.   

What's the 11th (is this a set-up )?

[Dos Equis]

What's the 11th (is this a set-up )?

lol.  Yes!  11:  "Thou Shalt Not Speak Ill of Another Republican."  R. Reagan.