Tennessee vs. Michigan

[Mountaineer]

The bad thing is that ESPN has former players as commentators and color experts and they suck! I, for one, was absolutely thrilled to hear fellow-West Virginian Jon Kruck wax eloquent on Barry Bonds being the greatest LH batter of all times - WHO GIVES A RATS BUTT! If I wanted to see that I would have paid for major league all access on cable - I wanted to watch the softball game - and of course the umpires.

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

The bad thing is that ESPN has former players as commentators and color experts and they suck!

Yeah but aren't many play by play announcers and most color comentators former players? And yes, they can bring a perspective to the game.

Problem is they don't get to call that many games on TV. I bet a lot of former MLB players turned commentators have made plenty of goofs when learning the ropes on TV.

I am glad the sport is getting coverage, and hope the knowledge of the game will improve as time goes on, with the announcers as well as everyone else.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by UmpireErnie

Yeah but aren't many play by play announcers and most color comentators former players?

Does that mean they know the rules any more comprehensively than the average fan?

[IRISHMAFIA]

I'm going to hate myself for saying this, but speaking ASA, the tie does go to the runner. (8.7.C).

I will always proclaim that the tie goes to the umpire , but I would be wrong.

[bigwes68]

I was in the press box, standing right behind Pam Ward and Cheri Kempf. But I could hardly hear what they were saying. If I had actually heard them break out the "tie goes to runner" myth, I was ready to slip them a note to tell them that, once again, there is no such rule.

Overall, though, I thought they did a good job. I just wish they could have seen fit to have Jennie Finch do commentary for that game...that would have been NICE.

I was also ticked about them cutting away to Barry Bonds at the crucial moment of the game. And, for the most part, I thought the umpiring was decent. The umpire's strike zone in Game 1 on Saturday was one of the best I have seen all year. The guy in Game 2 wasn't so great, the one in Game 3 was some better. From my vantage point, I couldn't see what happened on the overthrow, but UT's coach did come out to complain about it; however, nothing was done.

I also didn't understand the strike call on Durant. It was obvious she pulled the bat back; if she had actually offered at the ball, she probably could have at least made contact with the ball and kept from hanging Hammond out to dry. But at least it all turned out well.

I'm ready for the new park next year. Cramming 11 people into a press box that's built for 6 is not easy.

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by bigwes68

I also didn't understand the strike call on Durant. It was obvious she pulled the bat back; if she had actually offered at the ball, she probably could have at least made contact with the ball and kept from hanging Hammond out to dry. But at least it all turned out well.

Well, sure, to us with five looks and multiple camera angles it looked like she pulled it back. Who amoug us has never had to have a conversation with a coach over whether or not the batter offered at the ball? Our brother behind the plate saw something he judged to be offering at the ball, he called a strike. I am not going to argue. Strike two, play ball.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I'm going to hate myself for saying this, but speaking ASA, the tie does go to the runner. (8.7.C).

I will always proclaim that the tie goes to the umpire , but I would be wrong.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have NEVER seen a tie . . .

Even though this isn't an ASA game and ASA rules do not apply, let's look at what Mike says. I'm looking at my trusty ASA rule book and 8.7.C says they are out if the fielder touches the base while in possession of the ball, tags the base or the runner BEFORE the runner reaches the base (my paraphrase). It's basically the same type of verbage you will find in the NF or NCAA rule book. Even though this isn't speaking of the BR I see nothing about a tie going to the runner. Am I overlooking something?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I don't know about anyone else, but I have NEVER seen a tie . . .

Even though this isn't an ASA game and ASA rules do not apply, let's look at what Mike says. I'm looking at my trusty ASA rule book and 8.7.C says they are out if the fielder touches the base while in possession of the ball, tags the base or the runner BEFORE the runner reaches the base (my paraphrase). It's basically the same type of verbage you will find in the NF or NCAA rule book. Even though this isn't speaking of the BR I see nothing about a tie going to the runner. Am I overlooking something?

Okay, look at it this way. If the runner touched the base and the ball entered the defenders glove at the same time, then it is obvious the defense did not touch the base with the ball in possession BEFORE the runner touched the base.

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

... BEFORE the runner touched the base.

And 8-2-C says the same for a batter runner, they are out if they are put out PRIOR to reaching first base.

My personal philosphy: I listen for the pop of the ball and watch the runner's foot... if I hear the ball at the exact same time I see the foot, then the ball must have gotten there 3/10,000,000ths of a second sooner since sound travels slower then light.

That's assuming I'm about 10 feet away when I make the call. If I'm in "C", I'll adjust as needed.

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by LMan

Does that mean they know the rules any more comprehensively than the average fan?

No, my point was that in many sports former players turn to broadcasting. But someone who calls 150+ baseball games on TV in a year is going to get better at doing it, going to get better at knowing the rules etc. How many softball games do Pam and Sheri broadcast a year? Not that announcers in major league sports don’t say things that make officials in those sports cringe, I think it just doesn’t happen as often after they have spent a lot of time behind the mic and in front of the camera. Just like with us on the field!

I’d rather have TV coverage with announcers who would not make good umpires, than TV coverage with umpires who do would not make good announcers. Or no TV at all! How long has softball been covered on TV? Not many years. Let’s hope it keeps growing.

P.S. Of course the tie goes to the umpire Mike, that's why they pay us!