(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Something needs to be done about the challenge rule. Personally, I guess I'm old school because I think controversial calls are part of the game and make for "water cooler" interest, so I'd prefer no challenges.

But with each coach having two challenges, with the first challenge there seems to be an attitude of "well, that was kinda close and was a big moment in the game, so why not challenge?" An exciting moment (trivial moments are not challenged) becomes a buzz killer while everyone sits around waiting.

A better system would be you get one; if you use it and are successful, you get another. But right now, there's no "penalty" from using your first challenge on plays that are really not that close.

In today's game there were four challenges, although one was umpire initiated (at CTW urging, since he was out of challenges -- umpires can initiate starting in the sixth). But that's a lot of sitting around for nothing and kills momentum.

Needed to get that off my chest.

 

Give a coach 10 challenges per season (max 2 per game). Don’t let officials initiate a challenge unless a championship or postseason advancement is directly on the line. If you win your challenge, you get it back. If you lose your challenge, you give up an out or a base runner (whatever the situation calls for).

Guarantee you see fewer challenges.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

 

The other thing is they take way too long given existing technology. Cap it at 60 seconds on the review; if you need more time than that the original call was sufficient.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

 

Schedule indicates the Friday and Sunday game against Arkansas will have no tv or radio coverage. Any chance that might change?

 

Hogs site shows SEC+ for opener and finale.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

 

Fri & Sun on app.. Sat on espn2 9pm..

I dont think its an option for SEC games to not have video.. At lest none I can recall last 2-3 years.

 

Friday and Sunday games are both on SEC+.

 

If pitching does not improve 11th might be as good as it is going to get this year. We will learn a lot about the team after their trip to Arkansas this weekend.

 

Here's a softball rules question: At the last game, Missouri intentionally walked two batters, in order to get to "Gigante's fake pinch hit." (credit: hoyt223)

Especially with with the winning runner on third, would it be legal to take a couple of outfielders during the intentional walk and position them by the backstop, just in case the ball got by the catcher. A passed ball is unlikely on an intentional walk, of course, but we've all seen it happen. If its legal, why not?

 

I had the same thought a year or so ago. Someone explained to me that it is illegal for a defensive player to line up in foul territory. The umpire is supposed to stop play until the player is properly lined up. Prior to that explanation, I thought it a no brainer not to place the first baseman behind the catcher. Since I failed "rocket science 101", this probably explains why people smarter than me weren't already doing it.

 

I guess I should be clearer. My thought about placing the first baseman behind the catcher was only regarding intentional walks and the possibility that a pitcher who rarely does that will throw one wild moving runners along. I reread the original post and realized the question was for once the bases were loaded. I don't think you would want to do that even if it was legal. While the primary point is for a force at home on a ground ball, you would not want to give up the winning run on a medium deep fly ball that either wouldn't lead to a tag up or would provide the possibility of a throw to home for an out. Granted, a deep fly ball would end the game anyway, but I wouldn't want to completely remove the possibility of a play from the outfield.

 

Let’s not give CTW any more weird shifting ideas ok mates?

 

I'm the original poster and the question only applied to intentional walks where the batter has no chance of contact with the ball, but the runner could score or advance on a passed ball/wild pitch.

Now that we've determined that's illegal, how close can we put the fielder to the batter's box so that they can run to the backstop with the pitch? (just kidding)

And I have seen a wild pitch on an intentional walk. If memory serves me correctly, it was Kelly Barnhill, who was a great pitcher -- one of our best -- but not so good at throwing anywhere else.

 

Last season was tough to watch and it’s still early but this season is looking very similar so far. Next years class can’t get here soon enough and CTW might have some hard decisions to make when it comes to the assistant coaches. I can’t knock the feeling Aric is taking advantage of his friendship with CTW and is just showing up for a paycheck.

 

Going to the WCWS is not that tough to watch lol

 

True but finishing maybe .500 in SEC play isn’t what I’m used to and it was tough to watch. The whole season they couldn’t seem to sustain any success/momentum beyond 2-3 games. Luckily 2 of those games were in the super regionals. Anyhow I know most teams would kill to just be in the WCWS but CTW has set really high expectations at Florida. Looking back I really don’t know how they not only made it there last season but were the only SEC team to do so!