NCAA Softball Selection -- Does the committee love the B1G?

[trojansc]

So, ESPN just said that Tarr (UW Coach) can protest the batter box chalk distance, I'm surprised she hasn't so far, she's certainly already spoken to HP ump twice about it.

Now, ESPN also just showed a view from behind the plate from last week vs. this week. You can clearly tell that it's not the same distance.

[trojansc]

[bbg95]

May 28, 2021 14:33:39 GMT -5 trojansc said:

May 28, 2021 14:30:41 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Wow, Kentucky had the bases loaded down 4-3 with two outs in the top of the seventh and a full count. Strikeout looking to end the game. 

I wasn't watching, but I hear that she actually swung at what would have been ball 4 previously in that at bat and walked in the run to tie the game.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. She fouled off a pitch on a 3-1 count I believe before taking the third strike looking.

[trojansc]

May 28, 2021 14:51:18 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

May 28, 2021 14:33:39 GMT -5 trojansc said:

I wasn't watching, but I hear that she actually swung at what would have been ball 4 previously in that at bat and walked in the run to tie the game.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. She fouled off a pitch on a 3-1 count I believe before taking the third strike looking.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. If she didn't foul off that pitch, it would have been ball 4. (i.e it wasn't a strike)

[bbg95]

May 28, 2021 14:53:41 GMT -5 trojansc said:

May 28, 2021 14:51:18 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. She fouled off a pitch on a 3-1 count I believe before taking the third strike looking.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. If she didn't foul off that pitch, it would have been ball 4. (i.e it wasn't a strike)

Oh, yeah, maybe. I don't remember exactly where the pitch was. 

[trojansc]

a little shade from an old OU All-American

[carsonvega]

According to the field diagram rules, the lines (foul lines, batters' boxes lines, etc.) are supposed to be 2-4 inches wide (https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/championships/sports/softball/rules/PRWSB_FieldDiagram.pdf).

The picture sure makes it look like the distance between the inside of the batters' boxes lines and home plate is not more than the width of the lines...

[bbg95]

Regarding the plate situation (if it really wasn't regulation), I don't really buy the argument that it "affects both teams." That's true as far as it goes, but that doesn't mean if affects both of them equally. My question is why didn't the NCAA verify the dimensions before the game started and not sign off until it was in compliance? At this point, I'm not sure they can really do anything about this game, as I doubt it won't count. Hopefully, they'll verify the dimensions before the next one. Anyway, Washington made the final out of the game by sending a runner home when down by two. Ouch.

This play also didn't help:

[trojansc]

May 28, 2021 16:38:02 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Regarding the plate situation (if it really wasn't regulation), I don't really buy the argument that it "affects both teams." That's true as far as it goes, but that doesn't mean if affects both of them equally. My question is why didn't the NCAA verify the dimensions before the game started and not sign off until it was in compliance? At this point, I'm not sure they can really do anything about this game, as I doubt it won't count. Hopefully, they'll verify the dimensions before the next one. Anyway, Washington made the final out of the game by sending a runner home when down by two. Ouch.

I agree re: not affecting both of the teams equally. One throws inside much more than the other. Anyways, I don't know exactly what happened, but UW's Coach (Tarr) did bring it up, and supposedly the umpire did not choose to measure. 

Yeah, Washington sending that runner in the last inning made absolutely no sense. Especially because it's not like 1st+2nd are advancing to 2nd+3rd on that play anyways, so it means absolutely nothing.

The other video you posted re: "inside the park home run", the play before the OU batter was clearly out of the box (which is even closer to home plate!), her foot was practically on home plate. They have been pretty strict about this call, I was surprised it wasn't called. Not excusing the error at all, but I doubt it happens if the correct call was made.


Also, here's the relevant NCAA Rule, not that it really adds too much to the discussion, except the fact that Tarr, despite making her concerns known prior to the first pitch, was not able to protest the game after it started for that reason. (despite ESPN saying she could protest, this seems contradictory)

2.22 Nonregulation Field
2.22.1 The umpires have the responsibility to check the playing field to be sure it complies with these regulations. Every effort should be made to obtain the correct dimensions and markings. Any game started on a nonregulation field shall not be protested for this reason.
Note: Once a game has started, if it is discovered by or brought to the attention of the umpire that the lines, or pitching or base distances, are incorrect, the error shall be corrected immediately, with no penalty, and the game shall continue from that point. If the pitching or base distances cannot be corrected or the game moved to a regulation field, “No Game” shall be declared. (See Rule 6.19.)

[bbg95]

May 28, 2021 16:45:24 GMT -5 trojansc said:

May 28, 2021 16:38:02 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

Regarding the plate situation (if it really wasn't regulation), I don't really buy the argument that it "affects both teams." That's true as far as it goes, but that doesn't mean if affects both of them equally. My question is why didn't the NCAA verify the dimensions before the game started and not sign off until it was in compliance? At this point, I'm not sure they can really do anything about this game, as I doubt it won't count. Hopefully, they'll verify the dimensions before the next one. Anyway, Washington made the final out of the game by sending a runner home when down by two. Ouch.

I agree re: not affecting both of the teams equally. One throws inside much more than the other. Anyways, I don't know exactly what happened, but UW's Coach (Tarr) did bring it up, and supposedly the umpire did not choose to measure. 

Yeah, Washington sending that runner in the last inning made absolutely no sense. Especially because it's not like 1st+2nd are advancing to 2nd+3rd on that play anyways, so it means absolutely nothing.

The other video you posted re: "inside the park home run", the play before the OU batter was clearly out of the box (which is even closer to home plate!), her foot was practically on home plate. They have been pretty strict about this call, I was surprised it wasn't called. Not excusing the error at all, but I doubt it happens if the correct call was made.

Also, here's the relevant NCAA Rule, not that it really adds too much to the discussion, except the fact that Tarr, despite making her concerns known prior to the first pitch, was not able to protest the game after it started for that reason. (despite ESPN saying she could protest, this seems contradictory)

2.22 Nonregulation Field
2.22.1 The umpires have the responsibility to check the playing field to be sure it complies with these regulations. Every effort should be made to obtain the correct dimensions and markings. Any game started on a nonregulation field shall not be protested for this reason.
Note: Once a game has started, if it is discovered by or brought to the attention of the umpire that the lines, or pitching or base distances, are incorrect, the error shall be corrected immediately, with no penalty, and the game shall continue from that point. If the pitching or base distances cannot be corrected or the game moved to a regulation field, “No Game” shall be declared. (See Rule 6.19.)

Hmm, seems like it's all up to the discretion of the umpires, and if they said it's fine (or just didn't care), then I think Washington is just stuck. I've seen some of their fans clamoring online for a "no game" to be declared, but I think the odds of that are pretty close to zero percent. And honestly, not that it's right, but I think this issue is arguably less disruptive than that absurd strike zone that was called in that one ASU game. And there's absolutely nothing that can be done about an umpire's ridiculous strike zone, which is why I have long advocated for the arrival of the robot umps.

[Kingsley]

I’m ready to riot.

[mikegarrison]

It's all fodder for spicy commentary on the ABC game.

[Kingsley]

Fodder or not, I love a good scandal.

[bbg95]

I have to say that having the grounds crew "accidentally" draw a non-regulation field sounds like something Bill Belichick would be involved in.

[Kingsley]

May 28, 2021 17:01:32 GMT -5 bbg95 said:

I have to say that having the grounds crew "accidentally" draw a non-regulation field sounds like something Bill Belichick would be involved in.

Someone check those softballs.