PSU/OSU Illegal Batting Question

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

No, not at all. The announcer tried to sell that, but it was no different than any other runner's decision, and if it hadn't been for a stellar play to knock the ball (which was being carried on the proper side) away, it could well have been a good run.

Robert

Not only that, the announcers went on how the QB made a decision to run to the side instead of straight ahead. The thing is they have no idea if the QB was told by the coaches to do that. Maybe he was coached to run to the side because they thought he would have a better chance over there.

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Not only that, the announcers went on how the QB made a decision to run to the side instead of straight ahead. The thing is they have no idea if the QB was told by the coaches to do that. Maybe he was coached to run to the side because they thought he would have a better chance over there.

That's possible. There was a lot of profanity and two frightened dogs from where I was watching. Nobody was really concerned about the bat because it wasn't completely, holy-roller obvious.
Maybe he didn't want to risk a dive when the line had been choked, maybe he saw daylight to the right side. That can be talked about for weeks or months. Tressel isn't known for taking many risks, so I can see them thinking that the 3rd & 1 is their last chance to make yardage before having to punt. That can drive you to do a lot of things once you're in the thick.

[FeetBallRef]

Originally Posted by jchamp

...because it wasn't completely, holy-roller obvious.

What a great definition of what makes a foul worth calling. I'm going to use this from now on...

[bigjohn]

Can't the replay official tell if it was a bat? Is he not allowed to call an obvious bat in this case, when it means the whole game?

Come on guys this is just wrong!

[Backjudge79]

It looked pretty obvious like a bat to me. Are the college batting rules different then NFHS?

[FeetBallRef]

Originally Posted by Backjudge79

It looked pretty obvious like a bat to me. Are the college batting rules different then NFHS?

2008 NCAA® FOOTBALL RULES
RULE 2-8 / DEFINITIONS FR -45
SECTION 10. Fumbling, Muffing, Batting,
Touching or Blocking a Kick
Batting
ARTICLE 3. Batting the ball is intentionally striking it or intentionally
changing its direction with the hands or arms.

RULE 9-3 / CONDUCT OF PLAYERS AND OTHERS SUBJECT TO RULE FR -129
SECTION 4. Batting and Kicking
Batting a Loose Ball
c. No player shall bat other loose balls forward in the field of play or in any
direction if the ball is in the end zone (Rule 2-2-3-a)

PENALTY—15 yards from the basic spot and loss of down if the loss
of down is not in conflict with other rules [S31 and S9]
[Exception: No loss of down if the foul occurs when a legal
scrimmage kick is beyond the neutral zone (Rules 10-2-2-c,
d, e and f)].

[Backjudge79]

So according to the rules it is ok for B to bat a loose ball backward in the field of play?

[Robert Goodman]

I thought it was a bat when I saw the play live. But on replay I didn't think so. Someone in this thread said the ball was backhanded, but because one could easily be slow in wrist movement, a player could hit the ball with the back of his hand while trying to recover a rolling ball. And if you're not sure it was intentional, it wasn't.

Robert

[JRutledge]

It does not look obvious enough to call this a penalty. I was thinking that the player might have batted the ball, but it would be a very hard sell. Do not go looking for stuff to call.

Peace