Florida-Michigan WCWS Call

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

1. IMO, it was a DMR in a one-run game.
2. I agree, it appeared the runner got the base prior to the tag.
3. While it looked like it was OBS, I did not see anything the slowed or impeded the runner until the ball got there. Remember, in NCAA, ATR is still part of the rule.

Aside from this call, IMO there have been a handful of calls that seemed to give the defense the benefit of any doubt. OTOH, there have been some real good close calls by these crews.

I will agree on the close calls this year. The play at third was one of the few that I actually disagreed with the safe-out call. I have thought they missed some others, but on replay the correct call has been made.

One other question, when Michigan scored the lone run of yesterdays game, I noticed something from the plate umpire. He was in position to make the call, the runner came and the throw was slightly after the runner scored. No call was made by the plate umpire. I understand the no-ball no-call idea, but in this case, the throw was only slightly later than the runner. Wouldn't this be a case where a safe sign would be better than a no call, or do you personally strictly apply the no-ball no-call idea. I personally would have made a call on that play, but then again the only time I see this level of play is if I go watch a college game.

Finally, opinions on the announcing crew. Smith and Mendoza are doing fine in my opinion, but Beth Mowins is annoying the heck out of me. It almost seems like she is anti-Michigan (which is funny since she is either a current or former resident of Michigan). She also doesn't seem to have a clue about the rules, or the fact Sweet is a senior for Michigan (she has repeatedly stated Wagner is the only senior on the roster, which isn't true.)

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

...She also doesn't seem to have a clue about the rules...

I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you! Shocked!

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

One other question, when Michigan scored the lone run of yesterdays game, I noticed something from the plate umpire. He was in position to make the call, the runner came and the throw was slightly after the runner scored. No call was made by the plate umpire. I understand the no-ball no-call idea, but in this case, the throw was only slightly later than the runner. Wouldn't this be a case where a safe sign would be better than a no call, or do you personally strictly apply the no-ball no-call idea. I personally would have made a call on that play, but then again the only time I see this level of play is if I go watch a college game.

Not sure what the NCAA policy is here (but I'll be attending an NCAA Camp next week in Louisiana, so I'll probably learn it then), but I typically will make no Safe signal if it is blatantly obvious that the runner made it to the base safely, such as when the fielder never possessed the ball, or she caught the ball so far from the base that she didn't even bother with a tag attempt. I didn't see the play you're describing, but if the runner ran through home plate and/or there was no tag attempt by the catcher, then a no call might've been okay. But if there was a slide and touch of home followed by a catch by the catcher, I would have come up with a pretty nonchalant Safe signal.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Not sure what the NCAA policy is here (but I'll be attending an NCAA Camp next week in Louisiana, so I'll probably learn it then), but I typically will make no Safe signal if it is blatantly obvious that the runner made it to the base safely, such as when the fielder never possessed the ball, or she caught the ball so far from the base that she didn't even bother with a tag attempt. I didn't see the play you're describing, but if the runner ran through home plate and/or there was no tag attempt by the catcher, then a no call might've been okay. But if there was a slide and touch of home followed by a catch by the catcher, I would have come up with a pretty nonchalant Safe signal.

I agree. I've seen some safe signals that have been totally unnecessary and I'm not just talking about the Florida-Michigan games.

If there is a play/tag and it is so late that even the Pope in Rome knows it, a call is just wasted effort.