The softball game between Worth County and Polo Monday night was marred by an umpiring call that took 15 minutes to make, and that killed a rally for Worth County. Worth County took a 1-0 lead in the second when the Polo catcher threw away a ball trying to nail Hailey Hunt at third; Polo teed off on pitcher Rikky Hunt and got three in the third to make it 3-1.
With runners on first and second and nobody out, Rachael Gardner laid down a bunt down the first base line. The ball took a crazy bounce back down the first base line towards the third base foul line and made contact with Gardner's bat. The call is a judgement call for the umpire -- if the ball contacts the bat in fair territory, it is a live ball and remains in play. If the bat hits the ball, then the batter is called out for interference and any runners return to their bases.
Gardner was safe at first and everyone advanced, which loaded the bases with nobody out. But then the Polo coach came out and argued the call, which led to a conference. After the conference, the inexperienced base umpire overturned the plate umpire's call, which prompted an argument from Worth County Coach Dave Gilland. Then, Gardner was returned to the plate and the runners returned to first and second, prompting another argument from the Polo coach. Then, Gardner was called out and Gilland argued some more, to no avail.
This silliness could all have been avoided had the umpires simply stuck with their original call. It is a judgement call either way; that said, our common sense is that we shouldn't penalize players in the way that these umpires did unless there is no maybe about it. The rule is designed to prevent interference by a batter with a ball in play; that was not Gardner's intent at all when she threw her bat down. If a decision is made in conflict with the rules, it can and should be reversed and there is a procedure for that in MSHSAA games. But in a judgement call, the umpire should make a call and stick with it. Such calls should not be reversed unless there is no maybe about it.
Instead of getting back into the game, Worth County came up emptyhanded when Hailey Hunt hit a screamer to short, doubling off Payton Adwell in the process when it was snagged. The rest of the game was a carbon copy of the Albany game -- the Tigers got behind 5-2, only to swing the momentum in the sixth inning. Gardner, obviously playing with a short memory, robbed Averie Heil of extra bases in the sixth. First baseman Hailey Hunt made a shoestring catch of a line drive from Jenni Farmer, doubling off Adrianna Staus off first to take a potential big inning away from the Panthers. Worth County rallied in the seventh, just like the Albany game, getting two runs to make it 5-4. But then they came up short. The Tigers were shorthanded, with one of their best hitters, Mollie Blaine sidelined (strep throat). They have gone the distance in most of their games for a change, yet they can't seem to catch breaks when needed. They are due for one at some point.
No comments:
Post a Comment