Published October 17, 2025
Somewhere along the way, someone in my line of work decided that “a score can be tied, but a game can’t be tied.” And people believed that, and ran with it.
This led to, “It’s a score-tying home run, not a game-tying home run.”
I have never understood this.
Why can’t a game be tied?
“It just can’t!”
I’m a simple girl. I don’t understand.
The screenshot up top from last night’s pregame coverage made me yell in agreement. “Yes! Game-tying hit!”
Is it a physics thing? Medieval?
If it’s a physics problem, please show your work. Could this have anything to do with gauntlet vs. gantlet? (I know it doesn’t, but I have to set up the video below somehow.)
Please explain it to me like I’m 5. A math equation or a diagrammed sentence or something from the sciences might help me see the light.
On second thought, don’t. If writing “game-tying homer” is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Most of the time, I imagine the person who made up this “rule” laughing at how many people have followed it.
I told them a game can’t be tied!
Seriously, words mean whatever we want them to mean, especially in the sports world. “Game-tying home run” is not confusing. It’s part of the language of sports.
Furthermore, can we say “he’s in a pickle,” or no? Caught in a rundown? Your dictionary’s primary definition might not allow it! And was there really a can of corn on the field?
The American League Championship Series is tied after four games. Game 5 is tonight.
A series can be tied. A home run can win the game that ties the series. Why can’t the game be tied after the hit that ties the score, and why can’t that be called a game-tying hit?
It just can’t, Carly.
But it tied the game.
No! Not possible!
It gives me a headache
Major League Baseball says: “If the game is tied after both teams have made 27 outs each, the game will go to extra innings.” I don’t know why some people make it so complicated.
The NFL standings have ties. If a game ends in a tie, are we supposed to believe it was never tied before it ended? I don’t understand.
As I’ve said before, I call it a “tying home run” or “a tying 3-pointer” in editing a story, based on what’s appropriate. I don’t want to be summoned to the principal’s office.
Rules like these make the job harder than it needs to be. I’m not a fan. I do not endorse. I saw “game-tying hit in ALDS Game 5” on TV last night and took that screenshot for you.
What am I missing? Can you explain it to me?
Have we had too many people say things like “you can’t put that on a pizza, that’s just science,” to the point where there’s a social contagion of silly rules? This is language, and people in the sports world overwhelmingly use language this way.
“Score-tying homer” instead of “game-tying homer” won’t save an editor’s job at layoff time. Bean counters are not likely to see “a game can’t be tied” as a necessity.
“Score-tying home run” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and I don’t know anyone in sports who says it.
If you don’t make the job about more important catches, you’re making it easy for them to cut you when budgets are slashed. I’m not ready for the robots to replace me.
Sending love. Protect your peace.
♥
Thank you
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Something more important than these silly rules: Who gets to live a “long” life in America?