| HugoTafurst |
Fri May 13, 2011 03:18pm |
What happens when you don't call the IP
Here's an edited version of a championship game.
Apparently in the semi-final game NO illegal pitches were called.
Quote:
HOME High softball players, coaches and fans likely will be seeing the umpire's sign for an illegal pitch in their nightmares.
Home pitcher XXX — XXX — was called for more than a dozen illegal pitches, resulting in prolonged at-bats, advanced bases, extra outs -- and ultimately runs -- in Thursday's XXX — championship game at the XXX — in XXX —
. The Home were taken out of rhythm and never able to recover in a 10-3 defeat.
HOME coach XXX — said he didn't want to get into whether the pitches were illegal. But he admitted the timing of the calls made it more difficult to swallow.
"If so, it should have been something done before the final. Give us a second to try to work it out," XXX — said.
"The only problem I have is it took such a great effort to get here . . . We've been through a lot before, but it does affect the pitching, the defense, you play it differently. But you've got to give them credit -- they put the ball in play."
XXX —, an (impressive description of talking head), thought the calls against XXX — were "nitpicky." In most cases, XXX — was called for a hop -- or lifting her pivot foot -- while delivering a pitch.
"The disheartening thing is it hasn't been called in the tournament, so it's hard for the players to adjust," said XXX — who was doing color commentary for the live broadcast on XXX — Networks.
"I wouldn't call it because it didn't seem to be blatant," XXX — added. "But, I'm not an umpire."
Despite the calls, XXX — battled and pitched a complete game, something that impressed XXX — .
The first inning went off without a run by either team -- or an illegal pitch call. Things changed in the top of the second, when XXX — was called for six illegal pitches. Visitor was awarded extra at-bats and outs, and when the inning finally wrapped up, the Visitor scored three runs on three hits. The big hit was a two-run triple by XXX — XXX — , who was later awarded home plate on one of the called illegal pitches for the third run of the inning.
The Home (23-8) loaded the bases in the bottom of the second on singles by XXX — and XXX — and a walk to XXX — . But the inning ended when a runner on second was called for a circle violation -- meaning a player stepped off the base without timeout being called while the pitcher is in the circle with the ball.
XXX
In the bottom of the third, XXX — doubled and scored on XXX — towering double to left field that somehow stayed in the park and rattled off the fence. At that point, the Home trailed 4-1.
But the Visitor (31-2) batted around in the top of the fourth, plating five runs on just two hits. There were three walks and four more illegal pitches called against XXX — . Visitor added another run in the sixth, but HOME still battled. The Home scored one run in the sixth and another in the seventh, and held their heads high at the end of the game.
"We just stay together as a team. We did come this far," said left fielder XXX — , who singled twice. "We were mad at first, but life's unfair sometimes. You just gotta take it as it is."
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For what it's worth, during the season, this pitcher had been called often for illegal pitches, but it seemed to me that once called, she would make the adjustment.
It also seemed to me that the coach's attitude may have been one of, "some call it, some don't". If they call it we'll worry about it then.
I didn't get to see the game, but makes me wish more of us had called it during the year..... |
