Florida-Nebraska

[chapmaja]

There were a couple of close calls in this game.

First play, line drive to CF. CF appears to catch the ball (very close), but it is ruled no catch. Throw comes in to 1B (who is touching 1b on the catch). Batter-Runner has reached first base, but then steps off 1b back towards home plate/dugout. No tag is applied and she then takes the step back onto 1b. Umps ruled no catch, and no out at 1b.

My take on this, using ASA's rules (not NCAA since I don't have that book), is that since she had touched 1b, she is now a runner, not a batter-runner. Since no tag was applied, there is no out.

Florida's coach came out arguing that she should have been out (the announcers seemed to think it was because of what happened at 1b, but I think it was the catch-no catch.

The next play, latter in the same inning. Flyout to center. CF throws home late to try getting the runner tagging, but it is late. Catcher throws to 2nd, attempting to get the runner tagging from 1b. When this happens, the runner from 3b starts home and is in a rundown. the 3b dives, tags the runner on the upper leg, continues to the ground where the 3b's glove contacts the runners foot and the ball comes out. The runner slides home, thinking she is out, but since the ball came out, she is ruled safe. There was a distinct separate touch between the initial tag and the tag on the foot that caused the ball to come out, but they were all part of the same diving tag attempt. The ball was still held after the first touch, but came out on the second touch when the heel came up and hit the glove. No argument was made over this by Florida, who was pretty much in disbelief they gave up a 4 run lead and the game went into extra innings.