|
Had this at the Hooters in the Women's Major/Open Championship game. The only differece was that R1 got caught between H & 3B. After about three exchanges, F5 threw the ball to F2 and R1 did an about-face and F5 was just standing there. The runner moved right to get around F5 and out went the arm. F6 tagged R1 out sliding back into 3B. I killed the ball and kept R1 at 3B.
Boy, that team from GA cried an ocean over the call, but there wasn't a question in my mind or anyone watching. I backed everyone away and discussed the call with the coach and simply stated what Steve just offered. The player just cannot get in the runner's path without posession of the ball. He didn't like it and, to be honest, I don't think he understood the call.
This is the part of simplicity that removing the "about to receive" from the rule that makes this call much easier.
__________________
The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
|