Florida head coach accuses umpires of cheating his team at WCWS

[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.

[FullCount]

Heard some of that in the AZ/Tenn game but didn't hear it in the Fla game. I was working while listening and trying to watch some. Most of what I heard about not calling th IP unless there was an advantage came in the first 2 innings but still came back to it later in the game. Late in the last inning they said that there were two three-run HRs but that the real story in the game was the IP. Huh?

[okla21fan]

Originally Posted by FullCount

Heard some of that in the AZ/Tenn game but didn't hear it in the Fla game. I was working while listening and trying to watch some. Most of what I heard about not calling th IP unless there was an advantage came in the first 2 innings but still came back to it later in the game. Late in the last inning they said that there were two three-run HRs but that the real story in the game was the IP. Huh?

Those are ex players and maybe a coach 'in the booth', not umpires


just sayin

[nc452010]

Could someone post up a copy/paste of the rule....?

If it doesn't mention gaining an advantage.....I'm wondering why everyone keeps referencing it (including the announcers...as I did watch the game). If it does mention it....I'm wondering what advantage she is/was gaining.

Thanks.

[BlitzkriegBob]

So here's another thread where the advantage/disadvantage talk has popped up.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by nc452010

Could someone post up a copy/paste of the rule....?

If it doesn't mention gaining an advantage.....I'm wondering why everyone keeps referencing it (including the announcers...as I did watch the game). If it does mention it....I'm wondering what advantage she is/was gaining.

Thanks.

It doesn't. And if you are actually giving credit to the TH for any type of rules knowledge............................

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by nc452010

Could someone post up a copy/paste of the rule....?

If it doesn't mention gaining an advantage.....I'm wondering why everyone keeps referencing it (including the announcers...as I did watch the game). If it does mention it....I'm wondering what advantage she is/was gaining.

Thanks.

You may download the whole rulebook from here:

NCAA Publications - 2010-2011 Women's Softball Rules (2 Year Publication) Online NOW

As for the rule look at

10.4.4 No leaping is allowed. The pitcher may not become airborne on the
initial drive from the pitcher’s plate. The pivot foot must slide/drag on
the ground.

That won't tell you an iota of how umpires have been asked to enforce this rule, but I think the other posters are doing a pretty good job of that.

[nc452010]

So, where did this "gaining an advantage" phrase come from? Same place "tie goes to the runner" originated?

[vcblue]

Originally Posted by FullCount

Heard some of that in the AZ/Tenn game but didn't hear it in the Fla game. I was working while listening and trying to watch some. Most of what I heard about not calling th IP unless there was an advantage came in the first 2 innings but still came back to it later in the game. Late in the last inning they said that there were two three-run HRs but that the real story in the game was the IP. Huh?

Michelle always says it is a DISadvantage to leap because you lose power.
FullCount-It is not ball speed but batter reaction time. The Florida Pitcher was subtracting at least a foot or two from the batters' time to see the ball when she leaped.

[FullCount]

Originally Posted by vcblue

Michelle always says it is a DISadvantage to leap because you lose power.
FullCount-It is not ball speed but batter reaction time. The Florida Pitcher was subtracting at least a foot or two from the batters' time to see the ball when she leaped.

Yeah I understand about reaction time- hence my note about being a few feet closer to the batter. I also heard one of the heads say several times that leaping is a disadvantage but I also know that there are several schools of pitching styles that firmly believe you gain speed by leaping. Regardless of your belief, the pitchers leap because they think it does gain them an advantage. If it didn't they wouldn't do it. I kept waiting yesterday to hear someone to make that very point. I'm still waiting.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by FullCount

Yeah I understand about reaction time- hence my note about being a few feet closer to the batter. I also heard one of the heads say several times that leaping is a disadvantage but I also know that there are several schools of pitching styles that firmly believe you gain speed by leaping. Regardless of your belief, the pitchers leap because they think it does gain them an advantage. If it didn't they wouldn't do it. I kept waiting yesterday to hear someone to make that very point. I'm still waiting.

Earlier tonight they were saying the pitcher was NOT getting an advantage by leaping because the foot is just an inch or so off the ground.

These THs are really all over the place on the issue, but then again, they really have no idea of what they are talking about.

[argodad]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

These THs are really all over the place on the issue, but then again, they really have no idea of what they are talking about.

Latest example. After a ball slipped from the pitcher's hand for a ball: "If she would have reached out and caught that ball out of the air, it would have been a balk."