Uhh, well i went to a private school in junior high, but in our league we were still a pretty competitive team. I recall we played a team that was simply woefully, pathetically undersized/unskilled by comparison. We jumped out to a 20+ point lead and sat everyone on the team except for the last 5 players from the bench. We still increased the spread, beating them by over 30 points. But at least we did what we could to make a game of it, short of literally not trying.
I think a mercy rule would be okay in situations like this. However, as an underdog I can tell you that it builds character to suffer through a miserable loss like that.
I'm sick and tired of the pussification of the American child. I just turned 27, and it started in my generation with the 80's kids being born to hippies-turned-yuppies. It's gotten worse since then. Today, every snot-nosed little shitstack kid is seemingly unable to handle any sort of rejection or loss. Is it any wonder why grown women complain grown men have become wimpy and ineffectual?
Kids can learn to lose gracefully, instead of being whiny little fucks and pitching a ***** fit because they're losing. It's competition for a reason--somebody's got to lose.
Once again, in this PARTICULAR instance, I can see how a mercy rule might be appropriate. However, if I had been on that losing team, I would have been angry had I not been allowed to finish the game. I'd rather go down with the ship than give up early.
I doubt the people on this site even understand competitive sports, so I'm guessing I'll be flamed for this.