Why Softball Rules Are Smarter

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

I still don't understand why the owners, who are paying these guys millions of dollars, let this kind of crap happen at the plate. They should be demanding that the interfence and crash rules be enforced, if for no other reason than to protect their investments.

Why would they do that? They have thousands of players who can play better and cheaper than the guys currently on the roster, and they're all waiting for their shot.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Why would they do that? They have thousands of players who can play better and cheaper than the guys currently on the roster, and they're all waiting for their shot.

With that modification, I'll buy what you say, but being a fan of a small market MLB team, the "better" part is definitely not true.

Carlos Gomez is one exciting player, but he is no Torii Hunter. Too many bone-head plays and not nearly the power at the plate.
There is no one one in the Twins rotation within even "hoping to be there someday" distance of Johan Santana.
The only true MLB-level defensive infielder the Twins have is Nick Punto, and he can't hit.

This situation is not because there is vast untapped talent in the Twins farm system.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by socalumps

I guess this is another example of seeing what we want to see....looks to me like the runner runs into mitt and ball with his left knee and umpire is in perfect position.

You can put away your red & white cane and feed the dog.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I just watched it another five times, even stopped it a couple of time near the contact.

To me it looks clear the the only contact between was the runner literally bracing himself and putting his left leg into the back of the catcher and pushing down on his head and shoulder. I cannot possibly see how the catcher could have tagged the runner with the ball/glove.

Based on the posted clip or the TV replay I referred to?

[Dutch Alex]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I wonder what the purpose of the cute color-coordinated sweatband on McClelland's left are is.

Originally Posted by Welpe

I believe those are for Father's Day and prostate cancer awareness. MLB umpires wore pink armbands on Mother's Day for breast cancer awareness.

I think it is to remember what is left, thus the ball-arm (vs strike-arm) is. Might be a good trick. Shall try it out next weekend! I'm always confused, trying to remember what arm to raise for a strike...

[DNTXUM P]

Originally Posted by Dutch Alex

I think it is to remember what is left, thus the ball-arm (vs strike-arm) is. Might be a good trick. Shall try it out next weekend! I'm always confused, trying to remember what arm to raise for a strike...

Sander,

The reason you are always confused is because you make too many trips into Amsterdam to pick up deserts (brownies, etc) and tobacco.

It wouldn't make any difference whether or not you wore an arm band.

Larry

[DNTXUM P]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

You can put away your red & white cane and feed the dog.

I don't understand why you would say something like the above remark.. Are you that insecure that you have to resort to those kind of remarks. It sure looks like the ump got the call right, not a sympathy call as you put it earlier.

Take a look at this video from youtube. It is easier to pause the video at least for me. You can clearly see the tag of the glove on the runner during contact at the 1:00 minute mark.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4VTY--IHgU

[Stu Clary]

1. F2 tagged the runner.
2. Runner never touched the plate.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

A softball umpire, except for Wade, would have been set up off the back, outside corner of the RH box and would have had a perfect angle for the play.

HA! I dont use 3BL extended very often.. usually by accident, when i instinctively get in a superior position for an hit to the outfield with runners in scoring position.. I whine here then do what I'm told... ie use ASA inferior positioning.

Obviously the call on this is a good one.






Those are two views of the tag, which the was barreled into like a brainless oaf.


Now, the next one is why there is an ejection in softball: leaning and throwing an elbow into the back, I dont think there is any question that is an ejection. In fact in softball and any youth sport, its no brainer for anyone except maybe someone with a frozen polluted water brain:




Its also why this thread might also be titled "why softball girls are smarter"

Because 99 out of 100 would have been easily safe on this going by the side and touching the plate with their hand.. the catcher would not even have got close.

I probably would have been to the side, but on a play where a runner is sliding like that, off to the side and reaching their hand in to catch a piece of the plate, obviously, 3BL is the best angle. I dont think its disputable.

[socalumps]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

HA! I dont use 3BL extended very often.. usually by accident, when i instinctively get in a superior position for an hit to the outfield with runners in scoring position.. I whine here then do what I'm told... ie use ASA inferior positioning.

Obviously the call on this is a good one.






Those are two views of the tag, which the was barreled into like a brainless oaf.


Now, the next one is why there is an ejection in softball: leaning and throwing an elbow into the back, I dont think there is any question that is an ejection. In fact in softball and any youth sport, its no brainer for anyone except maybe someone with a frozen polluted water brain:




Its also why this thread might also be titled "why softball girls are smarter"

Because 99 out of 100 would have been easily safe on this going by the side and touching the plate with their hand.. the catcher would not even have got close.

I probably would have been to the side, but on a play where a runner is sliding like that, off to the side and reaching their hand in to catch a piece of the plate, obviously, 3BL is the best angle. I dont think its disputable.

Wade,
Great breakdown and explaination!! If He watches it another 5 times he will either understand........or all the rest of us will have to acknowledge that reguardless of the facts and evidence He is always right and everyone who disagrees is wrong and BLIND as he asserts!!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

You can put away your red & white cane and feed the dog.

I just don't think Bruntlett had time to decide to slide headfirst to the outside. It happened very quickly live (I was watching on TV, though).

Well, I'm from the Philly area and am a lifelong Phillies fan, and I think he got the tag on Bruntlett. Of course, I'm also realistic enough to see that even if he did miss by an inch or three on the play, it would be a hard sell to call the runner safe there. McClelland can put himself wherever he wants. After 30+ years of MLB, he's gonna see what he needs to see.

To those talking about crash rules in MLB, well, there are none. That's the thing.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

To those talking about crash rules in MLB, well, there are none. That's the thing.

I'm pretty sure everyone knows that.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I'm pretty sure everyone knows that.

Except maybe post 12, which is what I was referring to.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by DNTXUM P

I don't understand why you would say something like the above remark.. Are you that insecure that you have to resort to those kind of remarks. It sure looks like the ump got the call right, not a sympathy call as you put it earlier.

Take a look at this video from youtube. It is easier to pause the video at least for me. You can clearly see the tag of the glove on the runner during contact at the 1:00 minute mark.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4VTY--IHgU

The shot over the umpire's shoulder is basically useless as you lose any depth.

The angle from the side seems to be much better, but I don't think there is anything is clear. If you look closely at the side view which seems to show a tag, there is also a shot which looks as if the runner is touching the plate (@58 seconds). However, we know that isn't so from another angle.

With the quality of the clips available, I'm still not sure a tag was made, but with the different views and stills, I can see where it could be seen as a tag. I just wish the one person who was reponsible for it was in a better position.

[socalumps]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

The shot over the umpire's shoulder is basically useless as you lose any depth.

The angle from the side seems to be much better, but I don't think there is anything is clear. If you look closely at the side view which seems to show a tag, there is also a shot which looks as if the runner is touching the plate (@58 seconds). However, we know that isn't so from another angle.

With the quality of the clips available, I'm still not sure a tag was made, but with the different views and stills, I can see where it could be seen as a tag. I just wish the one person who was reponsible for it was in a better position.

I think that is part of the quandry....the person responsible was in a better position than any of the replay angles and did see a tag....which is how he deducted an out. In your preferred position there is no way he could have seen for sure as it was a swipe tag coming from the 1b foul side and would have placed the runners body and right leg between the ball/glove and tag. But go ahead and think the rest of us are blind and are out of position third base line extended...we (and McClelland/and many other MLB professionals) are wrong...you are right!! You've convinced us!!