A nice (college) softball story

[jofus]

Clicky

[Tucson]

Thank you.

It makes me stop and think, what would I have done as an opposing coach or player? I am afraid in the heat of the moment, we would not have assisted the runner. But, cudos to those that are better people, than I am a person.

[Martin]

Nice story, but would we seriously expect ourselves or our opponent to just sit there and watch a player helplessly lay in the dirt after her ball cleared the fence? Kinda depressing if that's what we've become (or always were).

I'd be interested in what the call would be from the umps, had the defense not offered to assist the runner.

[FPdaddy]

Gave me chills!

[Skarp]

Nice story, but would we seriously expect ourselves or our opponent to just sit there and watch a player helplessly lay in the dirt after her ball cleared the fence? Kinda depressing if that's what we've become (or always were).

I'd be interested in what the call would be from the umps, had the defense not offered to assist the runner.

The formerly commonplace is the currently "heroic"...and the long slide downward continues unabated...

[fasterpitch92701]

ESPN picked it up

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/columns/ ... id=3372631

[Gone in 2.6]

Nice story, but would we seriously expect ourselves or our opponent to just sit there and watch a player helplessly lay in the dirt after her ball cleared the fence? Kinda depressing if that's what we've become (or always were).

I'd be interested in what the call would be from the umps, had the defense not offered to assist the runner.

The formerly commonplace is the currently "heroic"...and the long slide downward continues unabated...

Skarp,

Your comments remind me of a situation some years ago. Our catcher (and best hitter) had a foot that was bothering her. She felt she was ok to hit but couldn't catch so she was the DP. So we're at a friendly playing this great team who has an UNHITTABLE pitcher. Our catcher rips a single (she was one of the few that could hit this kid) but aggravates her foot and is limping badly. Our coach asks the opposing manager if we can get a runner for her and he says "no, the game is too close". I'm behind the backstop and look at one of the moms like "are you people kidding"? She says "if she's hurting that bad she shouldn't be playing". Agreed but her compassion was overwelming. My own dd comes up to bat next and actully hits one into right center (miracle!). As that poor girl limps toward 2nd base, the outfield gets the ball to the cutoff who throws to 2nd before she can drag herself to 2nd base (miracle gone. Fielders choice. LOL). OK, hold on to your hats now people:

These were 9 and 10 year olds!

I hope our coach (who didn't just pull her out of the game), the opposing coach and the parents (their kids are now seniors) who showed such compassion with their words, read this ESPN article and are sufficiently ashamed of themselves as they should have been that day in the spring of 2001.

[jofus]

[bucketdad96]

I saw these rule quotations on another site. Just wondered what everyone here thought about the rules interpretation as applied in the mentioned game.
NCAA Rules:

12.3 Base Awards

12.3.5 Home plate. The batter is awarded home plate with no liability to be put
out:
12.3.5.1 When a fair batted fly ball strikes the foul pole above the fence level
or leaves the playing field in fair territory without being caught, touching
the ground or going through the fence even if the ball is deflected by a
fielder.

EFFECT (12.3.4.5.1 to 12.3.4.5.2)—The ball is dead. The batter-runner is
entitled to a home run, and each other base runner is awarded
home plate.

8.5.3.2 If an injury to a batter-runner or runner prevents her from
proceeding to an awarded base, the ball is dead and substitution may
be made. The substitute must legally touch all awarded or missed
bases not previously touched.

[fasterpitch92701]

This story went national on CBS evening news tonight.

It will repeat in the SF bay area at 6:50PM tonight, CBS