The phrase "mercy rule" means ending a game early to prevent one team from losing by a large margin and sparing them from further embarrassment or defeat. Full definition
There is a widely accepted mercy rule in competitive baseball, and it's used in the World Baseball Classic. (sbnation.com)
Any bettor who took BC or the over looked golden, until the coaches decided to implement a sort of mercy rule and play with two 10 - minute quarters in the second half. (sportsinsights.com)
The New York State Public High Schools Athletic Association approved a 10 - run mercy rule for baseball that will start this spring. (nystateofpolitics.com)