Even if 1st base was occupied, why is he throwing to first?

Only thing I can figure is he was wanting to keep Pitt at 1st to get the DP in play.

Cain told me after the game he didn't realize the guy had stolen second and was focused on the batter.

As for the idea of walking Cessna, I asked Schulkens and he said he and his coaches discussed it, but that Cain had gotten out of 2nd and 3rd and 0 out jam in the sixth and as jpa2825 noted it was a 1-1 count on the batter, home plate ump had been giving a few inches outside off the plate all night (a spot both pitchers hit consistently) so it was chance to nibble.

Also, as Schulkens noted, you load the bases then pressure is really on for pitcher to throw strikes.

Right decision to pitch to him IMO.

- Richard Skinner

I agree with you that it was the right decision to pitch to the batter. Don't want the extra pressure of having to throw strikes to there #4 hitter in this situation. I think the runner did distract the SS on the error, and I also think he may have "peeked" at the runner to see if he had a play at third had he fielded the ball. I think he may have had a shot at third had he come up with the ball cleanly.

Also disagree that it was a "sloppy" game. There were errors made , but also some great defensive plays. NCC's double play on the bunt to 3rd baseman who threw to first and the return throw to the CATCHER at third to get the runner going 1st to 3rd was a great play. ( Note Phillips of the Reds allowed this to happen last night by not being awake ). A number of other hard hit balls that both infields made good plays on also. Just unfortunate game had to end as it did.

On the ground ball that would have been the 2nd out in the 9th, did the SS boot it and not make a throw? Would the runner on 2B have advanced to 3B if he had made the play cleanly?

 

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The runner would have been at third without the error.

Unfortunately the unusual ending distracts us from a masterful pitching performance by Cain.

The runner would have been at third without the error.

 

I will agree with your statement.

 

The SS from the sixth inning on played IMO as if he didn't feel comfortable in fielding nor throwing the ball. I just wondered in the sixth where he made back to back throwing errors, if his arm was bothering him as even the last out that went 6-3 he seemed to aim the ball to 3 and not throw the ball to 3 for the out!

 

 

Unfortunately the unusual ending distracts us from a masterful pitching performance by Cain.

 

 

Indeed you are correct. Cain did a masterful job in pitching one gem of a game, as did Coursey of HC!

Is anyone giving credit to the umpire crew for making the correct call in such a crucial situation? How many people knew that was a balk? I had no clue. Great job by the boys in blue on making the correct call despite the situation.

Is anyone giving credit to the umpire crew for making the correct call in such a crucial situation? How many people knew that was a balk? I had no clue. Great job by the boys in blue on making the correct call despite the situation.

It didnt matter. The first baseman wasn't at the bag to catch the throw. Even if it wasn't a baulk the runner still scores.

I watched it live on the internet. Great game IMO and a few situations that left you scratching your head as to why neither coach made decisive game decisions. You have to feel for the kids in these situations. Just kids. I didn't play high school baseball, but those are spotlight situations that everybody is watching and the pressure cooker is especially boiling. They don't need to be reminded of what happened the way they have on here. Too bad, IMO. They deserve better. Congrats NCC on a job well done!