washington/Georgia
 

Ok another on talking heads cluelessness. Talking about a ball that hits the chalk past the homerun fence. It was called a foul ball. The dingy announcers said since it hit the line it should be a home run. How about trying to figure out where it was when it crossed the fence? So I guess by their reasoning, you call it a strike or ball depending on where the catcher catches the ball, huh? Dave

pitching lane
 

What about this second game re-match pitching lane fiasco? What is the NCAA doing? It's a distraction to the game. It needs to be addressed.

You are aware that the rule is not new, is not only in NCAA and they have been using the pitching lane in games since last September, right?

Yes. Only the chalked lane lines are new. What's the umpire's problem? If you do not come straight forward like the rule states, and your foot totally over the outside of the line, then call it. If you can't see the lines, re-chalked them. Why make everything so controversial? Play the game! The umps are there to enforce the rules to keep it fair.

Then feel free to share your solution on how an umpire is supposed to see that from their positions without sacrificing their present responsibilities.

Thats why I asked if you thought they needed another umpire out there. Remember?

Well, not really, or not as I read it below:

Are the umpires upset with the lined pitching lanes? Do they really want another umpire on the field?

You asked if someone wanted another umpire out there. I don't know why any crew would mind working a 4-umpire game. But even with another umpire, they are still 50-55' away, still possibly have a runner at 2B. It is going to be an educated guess at best and will still be difficult with the blurred lines.

I have an easy solution.

GET RID OF THE LINES.

Blind sight is 20/20 ??

:DLike we do the batter's box....

But then the pitcher wouldn't have anything on the ground to get them into the habit of pitching legally.

I have a better idea. The coaches know damn well when their pitcher is illegal. If they don't, they shouldn't be the coach.

During season, have umpires who believe it is an issue report a pitcher/team to local conference. At the direction of the conference, have game footage filmed (which may already happen at the higher levels) and submitted for evaluation.

Where a pitcher is questionable, the coach is informed that their pitcher is suspect. If the team reaches the playoffs and the pitcher is deemed illegal, fine the coach and school $20K and remove the pitcher from the team.

Yeah, a pipedream and a ****load of bureaucracy, but the only thing these people fear is the loss of cash and eligibility.

why do all of that? why not just call it all year so when they get to the WCWS she knows how to correct for it. pitchers are taught to go as illegal as possible until they get banged for it then move back. just like they do when they throw at a corner and walk the pitch out until we call it a ball. the problem is people dont bang the illegal pitches early and often they wait to long and then dont call it at all hence why a lot of these illegal pitches are "controversial" and as I am sure you know that lane was put as an effect for one person who doesnt even play anymore in the NCAA

The whole point of the lane argument, though, is this; it hasn't changed the PU's ability to see whether or not the pitcher is violating the 24" lane rule because of the primary focus of the PU. Are you going to guess an IP? Or are you going to abandon your primary focus to watch the feet of the pitcher instead? Or, are you going to just enforce it the way you have all along?

I believe this sentence:

answers this question:

Whether we like it or not, the coaches in a conference DO have a say in who is acceptable to work their games and if the assignor wants to keep making the $$ which goes with a very difficult job, s/he will do as much to accommodate a team/conference as the umpire. And that is okay, it is their job.

I'm not badmouthing or accusing anyone here. It is what it is and it is not likely to change anytime soon.

I have got to believe that everyone who played Georgia has either sent tape to conference directors, assigners, SUIP etc. of Hamiltons delivery. The crews probably reviewed tape of this before the WCWS.

From watching the WCWS the coaches have questioned the umpires on this and she has been called for several IP's. The umpires answer is that they are watching but also need to watch the pitch and if it is clear, then they will make the call. They made the call from HP and BU's when it was clear and on several pitches, even when they were rotated, they did not make a call when it looked like she was out of the lane. But it is tough to see every time.

They interviewed Hamilton and she said she has worked hard to stay legal:rolleyes:

Again to fix the edge the pitchers get by just having the tip of the toe touching the pitchers lane lines to be legal is to put another change in the rule to make it an easier call for the umpires and to reign in the pitchers.

This will be up to the coaches to make that change.

Any suggestions on a rule change? :D

Yup. 1)They went to half the foot on the rubber, what, 2 years ago? (Judgment that half is on the rubber)

Half a foot on the line. You can get enough of a view and get the pitch. Work on it.

2) Back of Heel has to be on the line. Hamilton turns her left foot towards 1st base and the toe is maybe on, maybe off and that is difficult to see. Get the heel on and the rest of the foot is probably inside and any advantage is greatly diminished.
Of course, you guys are going to complain about can not see the heel. However, if a little is out, they have not gained as much as they are now.

I was thinking something very similar to the rules concerning placement of the feet on the rubber. Hamiltons foot is completely out of the 24" lane with the exception of the tip of her toe hitting the line (occasionally). The advantage of being out of the pitching lane is still there with an occasional consequence.

They need to make it so that the lane can be enforced consistently. Right now it leads to more discussion on the field than what the lines were intended to do.

btw as seen this weekend when U3 is rotated its acceptable and a focus for that umpire to be able to make that call too. However when not working 3 man I agree its hard and has to be pretty obvious even with the lane that disapears after the 1st or 2nd inning for anyone to call it. The bottom line to all of this is the fact that its a tough call to see anyway you look at it and no matter what umpire calls it ( U3 when rotated or PU) its tough to make even with a line becuase you have plenty of other responsibilities(although its easier for U3 when rotated)I am going to call what I see no matter what and hopefully if the pitcher is out of the lane I will be able to call the illegal pitch when it happens.

stood up and played with foot on a line. No part of heel outside line.

fixes everything. line goes away, umpire judgment. that is the fix i propose. :D:D

Just like a liberal! Whip up a frenzy, complain how terrible something is, demand a change, but never having a solution. ;)

Bottom line she pitched illegal many more times than she was called. Their first game Saturday she was only called once, but was illegal many more times. Like the rule/hate the rule -- it is the same rule as before only now there are lines. Oh and Cat don't leap either.

These umpire are better than me, they have shown that simply by being there, they still make mistakes and goofs (did you see the plate umpire get bowled over by the catcher trying to make a catch on a pop-up? What was she looking at? Same umpire blew the home run cal in the first GA/WA game yesterday). But the part I hate most is that they appeared to not have the courage to make the right call (illegal pitch) all the time and consistently.

Did you see the base umpire wonder in while the PU was getting chewed out for the batter getting hit by the pitch, looked to me like the pitch was a strike when it hit her? But why in the world would your partner cam wondering in and talk sideways to the coach (just like the CSI Miami guy)? The coach said, "She doesn’t need your help!" and he was right.

She didn't, Cat crow-hopped.

What makes you say that? Just because the TH said so? Unless you were standing on the line at the pole, you don't know that.

Maybe they were too busy attending to their other responsibilities. Or maybe they were told to make sure it was extremely blatent before making the call. I'm not saying they didn't call it enough, but that is just one tough rule to enforce, with or without the lines.

He was being a good partner and covering his partner's back like he is supposed to do. The coach was being an ***. You come out, voice your opinion/displeasure and move on. What do you think was going to happen, the call get changed?

Maybe the coach was getting some friendly advice to help keep the coach in the game.

Cat knows how to pitch legally. Saw it on video when she was playing in the professional league. She pushed and her foot dragged on the ground starting at the rubber when she pushed off. Why could not the college umps get that? Mike has already stated why he thinks it is so--coaches rule. They have to separate control of officials from coaches. It will take time but it needs to happen. May be all the talk about this situation will prompt these yahoos to take decisive action.

Get to big time, world cups, ISF or whatever (ASA nationals), and those guys don't care two hoots who you are. If it is illegal, you will change or they will call it every time. At least that is the impression I have gotten.

Wrong or right Mike or others?

Wow, Mister political. I am far from being a liberal. I am not demanding a change, but I am saying it is broken.
For discussion, umpires thoughts on how it could be better is always healthy.

Well, SRW and I know five umpires we could call right away who would make it a very, very unhealthy discussion.

...got a few of them programmed into speed dial on my cell phone! ;)

Who said that the lines needed to be 24" apart?
Why not draw them 36" apart and if any part of the heel touches the line - BANG!

It would defeat the purpose of the rule