Bracket Game 5

Warriors bow out against Michigan Finesse

in 9 innings 1-0

 

 

Two major blown calls by two biased Michigan-based umpires end the Warriors season.

Here's what happened and watch the video

 

6th inning. 0-0, the Warriors load the bases. Brittany hits a 2-out double, which would have scored 2 runs, but suddenly called back as the field Ump called timeout at the moment the ball was hit, saying he had called time out due to a base-runner tying her shoe. The time-out was never asked for!

 

9th inning, 0-0, 2 outs, Court's at 2nd, Dana bunts, runs straight down the 1st baseline, ball is thrown inside the baseline, Dana collides with 1st baseman attempting to catch the errant throw, the ball gets knocked loose, she's safe and Court advances to 3rd.

Nope, the Ump in the bucket comes running down the line, claiming Dana ran inside of the baseline, calls her out and sends Court back to 2nd. The throw to 1st was bad and inside forcing the fielder to place her glove in front of Dana as she crossed 1st base, knocking the ball loose.

 

Video of play:

 

Flash version of blown call by Michigan 'biased' umpires

 

Media Player version

 

 

While appeals generally are fruitless, here is the response from the USSSA National Fast Pitch Umpire-in-Chief:

 

If time was not call by the player or a coach, then no time should have been called. If time was called without either a coach or player asking for it, or without a safety rule in question, i.e. an object (ball) landing on the field of play, then the umpires were wrong to call timeout.
 
Michael S. McNutt
USSSA National Fast Pitch Umpire in Chief

 

 

 

Fate was not on our side today

The girls played hard!

Ali pitched unbelievably!

Keeping the Finesse off-balance

 and lunging for her outside pitches

Court fields the bunt, gets the base-runner

Ray-Ray keeps the runners moving up with a hit

Ali gets another hit, loading the bases

0-0 score

Bases loaded

2 outs

Brittany crushes it up the middle to the fence

The field ump calls time-out as the ball is hit claiming a base-runner was tying her shoe. This umpire was admonished by the National UIC for this call!

 

Getting an earful from the Warrior faithful, he engages in stare downs with the crowd.

Now working Church leagues in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

 

 

 

The TEAM show their love for each other

 after this season draws to a close

 

Life is good

Cherish the friendships and memories

Be grateful to have been blessed

with the skills to play this fantastic TEAM sport!

Good Season Warriors!