Tennessee vs. Michigan

[Mountaineer]

Is anyone besides me weary of even the broadcasters NOT knowing rules? I just heard the announcer say that in the event of a "tie" the rule says it goes to the runner!! What the heck!!!!!!!

[Ed Maeder]

Terrible as usual.

[U of M Sam]

I am not excited with the announcers during college softball. They speak well although sometimes have trouble with game details and/or rules knowledge.
I was watching a college softball game a few weeks ago and twice (once by each announcer) they called the pitchers plate (or circle) as the "mound" during the same half inning. This prompted me to send ESPN a brief e-mail asking that announcers do not call the pitchers "area" the "mound".
IMO: Maybe I am too technical but we umpires view the game somewhat different that the regular fan.
Sad that Michigan (GO BLUE) lost to Tennessee today.

[shipwreck]

I also saw a "slapper" who had both feet out of the box while she made contact with the ball. It was so obvious that the PU had to be looking up to the sky or had his eyes closed. PLEASE noboby chime in that we have the benefit of camera angles, he just flat missed this. Dave

[umpharp]

Being an umpire as well as a radio broadcaster for a local radio station, I can say that most ESPN announcers have no clue about softball. I'm guessing that softball is of low priority to ESPN and they just grab announcers that they use for their main sports coverage and tell them "just pretend you're doing baseball"
As for the Mich/Tenn games. i thought that overall Pam Ward did a good job with play by play and that the woman doing color also did a decent job.
I'm also guessing that officials of volleyball, lacrose, water polo, wrestling, and other sports that only get a few ESPN games a year also cringe at some of the things said.
As long as ESPN continues to air more games, we can only hope that the announcing improves with it.

[mo99]

I found the best way to watch the ESPN broadcasts with the talking "bobble heads" is to turn off the volume.I had an enjoyable afternoon watching the games with no sound while listening to my local Phillies broadcast on the radio.The "bobble heads" have zero worthwhile information that I care to listen to.You mean the tie doesnt go to the runner?

Jeff
NFHS Umpire
NCAA Umpire
ASA Umpire

[Chess Ref]

In the first game of the day ,2nd of series, maybe 2nd inning Tenn. 3rd baseman overthrew the F3 and it hit the tarp , then a spectator and they apparently played on with the Michigan player ending on 3rd. Are the rules different in NCAA cause I thought it was 2 bases from the time of the throw which would have put the BR at 2nd base i don't know if the games are broadcasted regionally or nationally but is anyone else tired of seeing Michigan and or UCLA ? I got to see CAL at a local tourney and they were playing today but got Mich and Tenn instead of Cal which is only 85 miles away.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Is anyone besides me weary of even the broadcasters NOT knowing rules? I just heard the announcer say that in the event of a "tie" the rule says it goes to the runner!! What the heck!!!!!!!

On the replay, as soon as I heard one start to say, "It looks like a tie at the bag, so..." I muted the TV quickly and told my wife, "you know what they are going to say next!"

Whenever there's a close/controversial play, it is humorous to see/hear these ex-jock commentators' old umpire prejudices come to the fore