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The Fastpitch Bulletin, Volume 20, Number 6 for 2/15/20

02/15/2020, 9:15pm CST
By Bob Tomlinson

Watch for Wisconsin High School Rankings to be posted starting tomorrow

Just A Bit Outside!
Hello Fastpitch fans,

There is fastpitch action taking place in both the northern and southern hemisphere's this weekend. The college season is in it's second weekend in the northern hemisphere while the New Zealand National Championships are wrapping up down under. You can watch a little or a lot of both on the internet.

Here is a link to see some mens' fastpitch stuff that was put together by the International Softball Congress.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A7k5ONKnsU

Here is another one with highlights of the 2019 Mens' World Tournament held in Denmark, Wisconsin last August.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIIJSwF8JGg&list=PL5CtRiA3GJz5x15NlFs0hFmjo2lrhUwXP&index=37&t=0s

You will see a couple of pitchers delivering pitched in the high 70s to mid 80s after having launched themselves toward the plate with tremendous replants -- all of which are legal in the men's game. Don't  teach your daughters/players this techique as it should be called illegal in the female game. But in any given game remember, the umpires determine what is legal or illegal in their mind's eye.

Here is a situation and question for umpires, coaches and fans.
In the bottom of first inning there is a runner at first base and one out. The batter drops down a bunt down the first baseline and heads toward first base. The corners and pitcher charge in for the bunt and the catcher rises up and heads for the ball as well. The second sacker gets to the bag to take a throw if a throw is made. The runner at first was off on the bunt. The catcher gets to the ball first, rises up to throw but the batter-runner has reached the running lane but has both feet clearly on infield side of the foul line. The catcher waits a moment before throwing to allow the runner to get in the running lane. The runner does not ever get even one step on the foul line . The catcher throws to the second sacker covering the bag. The throw is close to the foul line and the second sacker drops the throw because she could not see past the runner. The defensive coach starts announcing that the batter-runner had not taken a single step inside the running shoot. When the coach looks around, the plate ump is standing at third base ready to make a call on the runner coming from first who had just kept on going. The field umpire explains that he had not noticed the batter-runner’s failure to be within the rules and says to the defensive coach, “You can’t really expect me to see that when I am out by second base can you?” The coach asks, “if you are watching first base and your partner is immediately sprinting to third in case there is a play there who  is responsible for watching the first thing that could be illegal on this play? If the batter-runner is out for failing to be in the running lane then the runner from first would be sent back to first. Now she’s standing on third and there is still one out.”  

What are your thoughts? How soon should the plate vacate an area where he/she can cover the running lane rule?

That's it for tonight!
Keep It Rising!
Bob

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