Florida head coach accuses umpires of cheating his team at WCWS

[LarryRc]

Let me start by saying that I umpire baseball and in no way do I understand the nuances to umping softball. But could this be one of those "rules" that does have some gray areas and is loosely called during the regular season. But when the post season comes, or in this case the College World Series, where EVERYONE is watching, they are told to call every Illegal Pitch regardless of advantage/disadvantage. And in this case Florida pitchers may have been doing this all year and not have been called this tight.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by LarryRc

Let me start by saying that I umpire baseball and in no way do I understand the nuances to umping softball. But could this be one of those "rules" that does have some gray areas and is loosely called during the regular season. But when the post season comes, or in this case the College World Series, where EVERYONE is watching, they are told to call every Illegal Pitch regardless of advantage/disadvantage. And in this case Florida pitchers may have been doing this all year and not have been called this tight.

Well as I understand it, the supervisors in charge of NCAA softball umpiring have been saying all year that umpires are to call the IPs they see and not to rationalize with, "didn't gain an advantage," "been doing it all year," "no one is complaining," etc. You're not going to get to the WCWS by not following directions.

For my part I once had a HS playoff game in which the pitcher was leaping time and time again. We kept calling it and were complimented by our evaluator afterward.

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by LarryRc

Let me start by saying that I umpire baseball and in no way do I understand the nuances to umping softball. But could this be one of those "rules" that does have some gray areas and is loosely called during the regular season. But when the post season comes, or in this case the College World Series, where EVERYONE is watching, they are told to call every Illegal Pitch regardless of advantage/disadvantage. And in this case Florida pitchers may have been doing this all year and not have been called this tight.

That may very well be the case. If so, the officials who did not make the call in the past may deserve some criticism. But it does not IMO give the coach leave to go on TV and say he is being cheated by the umpires who are calling it as written and as directed.

Look at it in another light. Let’s say that for years you have taken income tax deductions that by the tax code are not allowed and finally this year you get caught. Do you think the IRS would buy the argument that since they didn’t catch you in prior years that they should not penalize you this year? Once they finish laughing at you they will audit all your prior returns! There seems to be this school of thought that since pitchers have gotten away with this in the past that now the umpires are somehow in the wrong for getting it right.

[LarryRc]

No, I agree the coach was a rat. Every replay I saw an IP. Thats one thing I don't like about some coaches is their attitude toward umpires directly affects the players. The coaches reaction I think had more to do with the girls giving up 16 than the 6 IP did. And of course UCLA hot bats.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by LarryRc

No, I agree the coach was a rat. Every replay I saw an IP. Thats one thing I don't like about some coaches is their attitude toward umpires directly affects the players. The coaches reaction I think had more to do with the girls giving up 16 than the 6 IP did. And of course UCLA hot bats.

This pitcher has been called a bundle of times this year, during the SEC playoffs and NCAA's. This is nothing new.

Larry, this is the equivalent to a pitcher being called for a balk on a regular basis and then continuing to do so through the world series and then whining about it.

[pop300ln]

what about the other pitcher from UCLA? did she not fly? fair for one is fair for the other. if both feet are off the ground it is an IP BY THE RULE. a 1/2 in or 3 inches u guys are rule crazy. MAKE THE CALL or use common sense.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by pop300ln

what about the other pitcher from UCLA? did she not fly? fair for one is fair for the other. if both feet are off the ground it is an IP BY THE RULE. a 1/2 in or 3 inches u guys are rule crazy. MAKE THE CALL or use common sense.

Great, another putz who thinks they know how this works. Say goodbye, pop.

[pop300ln]

u are a true little league um or maybe a t-baller

[vcblue]

pop they showed UCLA pitcher in slow motion a few times. There was no illegal pitch. Don't listen to the announcer. She is rule stupid.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by pop300ln

u are a true little league um or maybe a t-baller

Wow. A record. Only 6 posts to my ignore button.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by pop300ln

what about the other pitcher from UCLA? did she not fly? fair for one is fair for the other. if both feet are off the ground it is an IP BY THE RULE. a 1/2 in or 3 inches u guys are rule crazy. MAKE THE CALL or use common sense.

I didn't notice the UCLA pitcher leaping

[LarryRc]

Irish, thank you for your explanation. Unfortunately the area I am in is small. Our association is combined both baseball/softball. About 4-5 times a year I am asked to work a softball game on nights we are short softball umpires. The funny thing is I only get the two large schools in the area. And they actually ask our commish to schedule me more of their games. I always have the dish and work with a super experienced partner who taught me the mechanics. And yes I know its a dis-service to the girls not to know the rules, but I try. I take the test to be certified, got a 92 on the NFHS test, Open book. The thing I struggle with is the application of the rules. I just don't work it enough. Ya know the little things. Does my rambling make sense?

[FullCount]

The talking heads in the game went on at length, for many innings, that the umpires aren't supposed to call the IP if the pitcher does not gain an advantage. Even said that was the rule. Spent some time lamenting that the umpires were affecting the game.

Even though the 'heads' said the Fla pitchers were not gaining an advantage by leaping the slomos showed both pitchers landing with their left foot on the circle chalk! Do you think being 2-4 feet closer to the batter and a slightly higher pitch speed would be an advantage?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by FullCount

The talking heads in the game went on at length, for many innings, that the umpires aren't supposed to call the IP if the pitcher does not gain an advantage. Even said that was the rule. Spent some time lamenting that the umpires were affecting the game.

Even though the 'heads' said the Fla pitchers were not gaining an advantage by leaping the slomos showed both pitchers landing with their left foot on the circle chalk! Do you think being 2-4 feet closer to the batter and a slightly higher pitch speed would be an advantage?

You must have been watching a different game than I was.

Granted, I have been jumping back and forth between programs, but I heard them talk about the umpires being directed to actually see the IP and then call it, not guess on presumption. They also noted that the IPs were clearly IPs.

I must have missed the part to which you are referring.

[3afan]

Originally Posted by pop300ln

what about the other pitcher from UCLA? did she not fly? fair for one is fair for the other. if both feet are off the ground it is an IP BY THE RULE. a 1/2 in or 3 inches u guys are rule crazy. MAKE THE CALL or use common sense.

only problem with that is you can't see 1/2 inch of the ground at game speeb - slo mo yes