Oklahoma is killing me in the 4th inning

[TNTCoach]

I am very curious about this play. As a slapper, it seems that it would have been nearly impossible for her NOT to be left of the line at that point during the base-running, given that the first baseman was standing precisely where she would have begun to cross over to the right side. Also, maybe I was seeing things, but didn't it look like she was trying to avoid a collision with the first-baseman at the last second, while the latter deliberately (reflexively? defensively?) shoulder-checked her anyway, knocking her to the ground, even though she (the first-baseman) was in no position to make a play? If there can be no obstruction calls as long as the runner is on the left side of the baseline, what's there to keep any fielding team from using this tactic to neutralize the quicker and more aggressive slappers (i.e., sending the first baseman to box in the runner to the left of the line and possibly instigate a collision at the cross-over point)? If a slapper has to make a sharp right turn to go around a charging first baseman on the "good" side of the line, she would forfeit a lot of the speed advantage afforded to her by slapping in the first place.

Just trying to learn something from this...

Going on memory I believe that the Sooner runner was pretty far up the baseline when the collision happened. It appeared to me that she had time to get back into or near the running lane...enough so to avoid contact anyway. The slapper HAS to take several steps up the line on the field especially as far in front of the plate that contact was made with the ball while batting. But this ball was slapped up the first base line. The runner almost had to realize early on that the first baseman was moving into position to field the ball. A fielder is entitled to field the ball without interference from the runner. In my opinion, the Sooner slapper had plenty of time to avoid contact but didn't.

As far as setting up fielders to obstruct runners as the run up the line...I don't know. I've never seen it done. It would seem to me that they should be more concerned with making legitimate fields and throws.

 

[Renntiger]

Going on memory I believe that the Sooner runner was pretty far up the baseline when the collision happened. It appeared to me that she had time to get back into or near the running lane...enough so to avoid contact anyway. The slapper HAS to take several steps up the line on the field especially as far in front of the plate that contact was made with the ball while batting. But this ball was slapped up the first base line. The runner almost had to realize early on that the first baseman was moving into position to field the ball. A fielder is entitled to field the ball without interference from the runner. In my opinion, the Sooner slapper had plenty of time to avoid contact but didn't.

I am going by memory as well, and I am not particularly gifted in that department

In the post game interview, the Sooner coach basically laid the blame squarely on her own player for being too "aggressive" in this instance, so there was never any question that the outcome was entirely their own doing.

Nevertheless, what I saw (or thought I saw) was the runner getting stuck on the left side 1/3 way up the line (where aggressive slappers tend to cross over to the right), and the first baseman initiating contact with the runner with her shoulder BEFORE she was in position to do anything with that high and slow bouncer. It just seems to be a scenario that can only happen to this kind of slappers.

However, you are absolutely right that where the ball was hit was what set up this whole sequence of events (the first baseman would not have been there otherwise). I just wish I can have another look at it to see what, if anything, the batter could realistically have done to change the outcome of this play. I rather suspect that if she had opted to veer sharply to the right to pass the first baseman on the good side (which would have destroyed her momentum), she would have been toast as well. My dd disagrees with me (and agrees with you) though, she thought that the runner would have been safe at first if she had taken the more circuitous route.

What she and I agree on (unless we are both seeing things) is that the contact itself was not forced by the play and was initiated by the first baseman; probably a very smart move on her part given the circumstances.

 

[Jr10234]

Surprised at the number of past balls but the catcher. Some looked like they may stoppable and was costly in their two losses. I know the OU catcher is regarded as one of the best in the country so not trying to bag on her, just an observation.

 

[alexander58]

Surprised at the number of past balls but the catcher. Some looked like they may stoppable and was costly in their two losses. I know the OU catcher is regarded as one of the best in the country so not trying to bag on her, just an observation.

+1 I don't believe I saw the Oklahoma catcher shift her weight in the games I watched. The ball down and in to left handers was Oklahoma's undoing.

 

[Hoover's Dad]

I have the game DVR'd and just got finished watching it again. If you watch closely anytime ESPN showed a pitch hitting the ground in slo motion, it appeared that dust would fly up. That leads me to think that the playing surface, had a about a 1/4 inch skim of damp material.

Did Ricketts ever ask for another ball? She can get a new ball every pitch if she wants one.

The slapper that ran into Bama's 1b, ran into the 1b's right hip. The 1b was about a foot from the foul line, that should tell you how far inside the base line the OU runner was when she ran into Reiley-Bocia.

I just wish someone would tell Rickets to spit that dang piece of gum out. She looked like a horse smaking on a wod of wet hay. Anytime she did an interview all you could see was a big piece of yellow bubble gum flopping around in her mouth.

OU's new song should be " Blame it on the Rain" by Milli Vanilli!!!

Roll Tide from an Auburn Fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GOINGDEEP]

Good view of how much reaction time you need..............

 

[LAdad]

I am going by memory as well, and I am not particularly gifted in that department

ESPN3 is your friend: they still have the whole WCWS on replay.

1. The fielder was about 20ft from first base, but so what? She was there clearly to play the ball, which was about 1/2 up the baseline.

2. The runner was clearly not in the lane. The fact that slappers would prefer a lane through the middle of the field is irrelevant. (If we go by preferences, pitchers would prefer it was a strike if the slapper ran through the box.)

3. The fielder obviously made a move to shove the runner to the side. In her defense, if you have to bend your head down to field a ball while someone is running full speed at you, you might try to create some clearance too.

I think 2 didn't leave the ump much choice, even if 3 would have been an unnecessary roughness penalty in some other sports.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Just prior to the collision

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Well, this is great news

NCAA Softball ‏@NCAAsoftball
The game will be replayed on @ESPNU at 9 p.m. ET. Enjoy!

 

[MTR]

I am guessing that nobody would be complaining about the rain if OU (or a Pac 12) team would have won the championship.

Hate the rain. The game shouldn't be played in rain. Too many variables that can change the characteristics of the game, regardless who is playing.