Talking Heads know more than Umpires

[MNBlue]

Maybe when they told the TV crew about suspending the run rule, they should have said something to the players, coaches AND umpires.

Sounds like someone drop the ball!

And how POed is someone going to be when they have to play an inning beyond what would normally be a completed game and lose someone to an injury?

Why change the rules?

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

Maybe when they told the TV crew about suspending the run rule, they should have said something to the players, coaches AND umpires.

Sounds like someone drop the ball!

Stop being silly... the blues dont matter....

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by azbigdawg

Stop being silly... the blues dont matter....

You're right! It's late and I wasn't thinking.

[ronald]

A boo boo. No feather in the cap for that one. Lost one.

Originally Posted by MNBlue

And how POed is someone going to be when they have to play an inning beyond what would normally be a completed game and lose someone to an injury?

Why change the rules?

I've worked slow pitch tournament championship games where this was the case, the run rule was suspended or the time limit was suspended just for the championship game. Even worse, I've had situations where the first championship game would have the run rule and time limit but the "if" game didn't. It can become quite confusing for the umpires when during the tournament everything follows the rules from the entire season, and then the championship game is a whole different set of rules from the entire tournament up to that point. This takes great communication on the UIC or Tournament Director's part.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

Why change the rules?

To guarantee ESPN 'x' number of commercials they have sold advertising for .....

[SRW]

It's also not a "change" of the rules.

6.13 Eight-Run Rule
A regulation eight-run-rule game shall be declared by the plate umpire if
one team is ahead by eight or more runs after five or more equal innings.
Complete innings must be played unless the home team reaches the eightrun
lead while at bat. Any hit that results in an eight-run lead by the home
team (after 4-1/2 innings) is treated as a game-ending hit. (See Rule 14.6.)
Whenever the visiting team reaches the limit in the fifth or sixth inning,
the home team must have its opportunity to bat in the bottom half of the
inning.

Note: The eight-run rule may not be set aside by competing teams, league,
conference or tournament rule.

Exception: For NCAA tournament play only, the respective NCAA
divisional softball committees may elect to remove the eight-run rule for
the championship game, provided it is formally declared before the start of
the tournament.

Italics added by me.

[MNBlue]

provided it is formally declared before the start of
the tournament.

Exactly! If they were going to declare it, maybe they should have told someone besides Mowins, Kruk, and Mendoza.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

Exactly! If they were going to declare it, maybe they should have told someone besides Mowins, Kruk, and Mendoza.

What, formally declaring it to ESPN doesn't count?

[vcblue]

It was the same last year.

[3SPORT]

Originally Posted by vcblue

It was the same last year.

And usually addressed at the plate meeting before the start of the game. Not a good look on tv for the NCAA.

I am sure that will be part of umpire instructions next year.

[luvthegame]

Originally Posted by vcblue

It was the same last year.

Never came in to play last year.

[tcblue13]

ESPN didn't have to play it up like they did either. All the Video of the Umpires returning, the players congratulatiing, the ground crew working and Yuk yuk yuk, it wasn't necessary.
Were they trying to make the officials look bad?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

ESPN didn't have to play it up like they did either. All the Video of the Umpires returning, the players congratulatiing, the ground crew working and Yuk yuk yuk, it wasn't necessary.
Were they trying to make the officials look bad?

No, they would never do something like that. ESPN is 100% objective. Always.

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

ESPN didn't have to play it up like they did either. All the Video of the Umpires returning, the players congratulatiing, the ground crew working and Yuk yuk yuk, it wasn't necessary.
Were they trying to make the officials look bad?

It was pretty obvious to most who look at the game as umpires. You could see the PU ask the catcher for the ball and begin walking off the field. I told my wife that they thought it was over, but figured they would catch it before they left the field. Hey it was interesting so they would show it!! Just like they would in any sport. I thought it was more amusing than anything.