Bad Bounces

Sometimes the ball does not bounce the was we would desire during sporting events.

GORC U12 (Haslup) Wildcats
Parade Day
April 13, 2019

Last evening for the GORC U12 Team (Haslup) Wildcats, the boys could not get a break. And it was a lot of things that do not show up in the box score which contributed to the 10-3 loss. 

There was just so much that by the end of the evening it was clear that the ball and the calls were went against our boys. It was definitely a learning experience.

Here are the lowlights from the game:

We had a runner step off of 2nd base and get called out on a trick play.

We had another runner called out on appeal for missing second base--I personally saw him step on the bag as I waved him onto third base.

Then there was the runner that did not hear the fly ball call and decided to run home for a score only to be thrown out at third for not tagging. 

And then the worst call of the night, which arguably ultimately cost the team the game was when the shortstop was run over by the baserunner while making a play on the ball. The runner should have been out and that would have saved a number of runs during the pivotal fourth inning in which they scored the maximum of 6 runs. The interpretation from the umpire bible is very clear: If a base runner impedes a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball, or who is making a throw in continuation of fielding a batted ball, you have interference (5.09(b)(3)). Call the runner out. Award the batter first base (unless he is the one who interfered). Other runners may only advance on this play if forced by batter going to first. In this case, the lead runner would have been out on this play and the complexion of the game materially changed as the inning unraveled after this play. Sadly, the umpires were woefully uninformed of this rule.

But wait, there's more. To add insult to injury, as the game moved to the bottom of the sixth inning, and the home team Wildcats loaded the bases with no outs, the umpires called the game due to darkness. In this league, the sixth inning has unlimited run scoring and it was clear the Wildcats' bats were finally beginning to find baseballs over the plate.

Wow, my blood pressure rises even now as I review the evening on the diamond. I was proud of myself and Mike as we held our emotions in check and kept the boys focused on the game and not the calls. We never stopped believing that we could win--right up until the umpires called the game due to darkness, And then, it was over. Except for the bad taste in our mouths. 

Tonight, practice and Saturday will be our first win!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD