Errors

Our previous discussion of the use of Kardball umpires led us to the topic of errors.  What's a Kardball error?

Just like in baseball, an error would be a mistake by a fielder which allows a batter to attain more bases than he should have, had the hit been played correctly.  In our friendly games of Kardball, rookie fielders will sometimes play the wrong card.  For example, a seven is pitched, a seven is batted, and the fielder plays another seven (instead of an Ace).  The correct Kardball number combinations can take a little getting used to during a person's very first game.

No Harm, No Foul

In cases like these, we just laugh a little, and remind the fielder that their card was misplayed. They pick it up and we finish the play in a rule-consistent way and then forget about it.  No big deal.  We don't track the error.

This sometimes happens even to an experienced player, too. As a game wears on, the beer runs out, the lights get dim, things get fuzzy. Mistakes are made.  We laugh about it and keep going.  So what?

I'll Tell You What

In any kind of organized Kardball competition (such as a league or tournament), there should certainly be some accounting for errors.  Not that the game isn't friendly — it still is — but it should cost the defense something for playing the wrong card.  In a regulation game, that misplayed seven should probably result in a home run (since a seven was batted against a seven) and the fielder should be charged with an error.  The misplayed seven becomes a discard and the fielder gets a new card. He should also get a wedgie in the locker room after the game.

Then there is the matter of statistics. Number-loving Kardball geeks are fascinated with statistics just as much as any avid sports fans.  The individual stats could easily include an error record along with hitting and pitching results. This provides a dimension of individualized competition as players vie for best averages and career records.

Got an opinion on errors? Now you tell us what ...