That KHSAA press release is something else.

Does the KHSAA have an official policy about shaking hands after a softball game?

Does the KHSAA have an official policy about shaking hands after a softball game?

 

Kind of …...:popcorn:

I absolutely hate that this happened to JC and more importantly to this girl. I am happy however that something has happened to bring to light what I feel has been a huge problem for years. The way the KHSAA crams this tournament into 48 hours on four fields not suited for fastpitch softball while having the baseball tournament at a first class facility over six days is a slap in the face to the sport. And for the KHSAA to put out a statement saying that the field/tempory fence played no factor in the erroneous call is just plain wrong. When a ball goes over a 6' permanent fence, there's no question between a HR and a ground rule double.

 

I would love to see the state tournament played on a college field, but it would require a change in format. The current 16 team double elimination format requires too many games to be played on a single field. That's why the state tournament is played at parks with four fields. I wouldn't mind seeing high school mimick the college setup with region winners meeting in a best 2 of 3 series (super regional) with eight teams advancing to the state tournament, played like the college World Series. Getting to the state tournament should be a special experience. The current format gives you the feeling...."let's hurry up and get this thing over with". That's not what a state tournament experience should feel like.

I absolutely hate that this happened to JC and more importantly to this girl. I am happy however that something has happened to bring to light what I feel has been a huge problem for years. The way the KHSAA crams this tournament into 48 hours on four fields not suited for fastpitch softball while having the baseball tournament at a first class facility over six days is a slap in the face to the sport. And for the KHSAA to put out a statement saying that the field/tempory fence played no factor in the erroneous call is just plain wrong. When a ball goes over a 6' permanent fence, there's no question between a HR and a ground rule double.

 

I would love to see the state tournament played on a college field, but it would require a change in format. The current 16 team double elimination format requires too many games to be played on a single field. That's why the state tournament is played at parks with four fields. I wouldn't mind seeing high school mimick the college setup with region winners meeting in a best 2 of 3 series (super regional) with eight teams advancing to the state tournament, played like the college World Series. Getting to the state tournament should be a special experience. The current format gives you the feeling...."let's hurry up and get this thing over with". That's not what a state tournament experience should feel like.

 

I still don't understand why it is a double elimination tournament.

What I struggle with in this case is the distance involved in the mistake. I get there are judgment calls all the time - ball/strike, fouls, who arrived first the ball or the defensive back, etc. but in this case we are talking about feet (if not yards) not inches, which 3 umps couldn't get right. If we can't find officials (at the state tourney no less) who can get this call right, much less the really tough ones, then it is awfully difficult to play the game.

06/06/14 – STATEMENT ON ENDING OF ASHLAND BLAZER-JOHNSON CENTRAL SOFTBALL GAME

 

June 6, 20142013-2014 News Releases

During the 7th inning of game 14 of the Worth/KHSAA State Softball Tournament (a consolation bracket elimination contest) a judgement call was made by the umpiring crew which in hindsight, and upon postgame review by the KHSAA staff, was in error. The situation occurred when Johnson Central’s Rachelle Fairchild hit an apparent game-winning home run, but following a brief conference, the crew of officials declared that the hit was a ground rule double instead of the game-winning home run.

“Following today’s game between Ashland Blazer and Johnson Central, KHSAA staff reviewed news footage of the at-bat which was ruled a ground rule double in the seventh inning. With the benefit of slow motion, high definition video, it is clear that the ball left the park on the fly, and a home run should have been ruled,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “Unfortunately, our umpires don’t have technical access to slow motion, high definition video during a contest (or any other type of video), nor are they permitted within the bylaws or playing rules to review these situations; and left to the judgement of the naked eye, they clearly erred.”

“While NFHS playing rules do not permit the review of video, I felt it important to make a determination so as to help identify areas of emphasis for training in the future, ” noted Darren Bilberry, KHSAA Assistant Commissioner with primary responsibility for softball. “Under both the NFHS playing rules, and KHSAA Bylaw 21, protests or appeals of judgement calls are not permitted once the contest has ended, and the judgement of the official, right or wrong, must prevail. On review, clearly the ball left the park, and a fielder attempting to make a play then displaced the fence afterwards. The fence was not a factor in the play, it was simply an error in judgement.”

“Assessments and evaluations of the officiating crews are made following each set of games at the state tournament, and the official’s involved in the Ashland Blazer-Johnson Central game were not retained to officiate additional games,” added Bilberry. “In reviewing the play in question, we felt that had they properly rotated per the NFHS three-person coverage, they would have been in better position to be able to accurately make the correct call.”

“At the amateur level, there is always an element of human judgement and performance, whether that’s a coach in his/her decision about playing time or strategy, player execution of game strategy and coach directives, or the judgement of an official. Interestingly, I had a conversation with a couple of individuals before leaving the park about a coach’s decision to pitch to a very good hitter earlier in the tournament in a situation that resulted in that player getting a game-winning hit. The human element simply can never be removed from amateur sports. We put a great deal of time, energy and resources into recruiting and training the independent contractors that serve as umpires and other officials, in an effort to help make them consistent and allow for their advancement and expansion of knowledge. In addition, our staff and hundreds of workers and volunteers devote countless hours and resources to making the participation experience optimum for all players, coaches, officials and fans. It is a shame that some of the participant’s memories of this unique experience may be permanently marred by this incident. We will continue to strive to help our officials improve to help the participation experience of the students, ” Tackett concluded.

 

The thing missing from that long winded press release is an explanation of how the umpires made the decision. I would like to know that, but I am sure we never will. If it was ruled a HR, what made them change the call? Did one of the umps say he thought it bounced? Did two think it bounced and thus overrule the one who called it a HR? Did one say he didn't see it, one say it bounced and one say HR? Did they make the ruling because of the fence falling over? Can we have some explanation other than it is a judgment call?

Most states that I know of have double elimination for softball through all rounds of the post season including district and regional play. I believe most have double elimination for baseball as well. College postseason is double elimination in both softball and baseball. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't play a double elimination format, especially when you have a draw like this year when one half of the bracket is loaded and the other half is weak. Most states play their state tournaments in parks like Jack Fisher. Alabama plays all 6 state tournaments in 3 days at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, and from pictures I have seen online, it appears they also use temporary fences. Tennessee plays their 5 state tournaments in 4 days at two different complexes in Murfreesboro.

Most states that I know of have double elimination for softball through all rounds of the post season including district and regional play. I believe most have double elimination for baseball as well. College postseason is double elimination in both softball and baseball. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't play a double elimination format, especially when you have a draw like this year when one half of the bracket is loaded and the other half is weak. Most states play their state tournaments in parks like Jack Fisher. Alabama plays all 6 state tournaments in 3 days at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, and from pictures I have seen online, it appears they also use temporary fences. Tennessee plays their 5 state tournaments in 4 days at two different complexes in Murfreesboro.

 

Not in VA.

 

Six classes.

 

Conference tourney is played one week. Winner and runner up advance to Regional next week.

 

State divided into two sides for Regional. Week long tourney of sixteen teams. Regional winner and runner up advance to Final Four the next week.

 

Finals pair winner vs loser from other side. Winners play in state title game he next day.

The thing missing from that long winded press release is an explanation of how the umpires made the decision. I would like to know that, but I am sure we never will. If it was ruled a HR, what made them change the call? Did one of the umps say he thought it bounced? Did two think it bounced and thus overrule the one who called it a HR? Did one say he didn't see it, one say it bounced and one say HR? Did they make the ruling because of the fence falling over? Can we have some explanation other than it is a judgment call?

 

we felt that had they properly rotated per the NFHS three-person coverage, they would have been in better position to be able to accurately make the correct call

 

You won't get an explanation other than the statement from KHSAA, which is fairly clear.

I heard one umpire thought the ball went though the gap between where the two sections of the fence connect to each other. Far fetched after seeing the video but it is something that is a possibility but again not in this particular play.

Most states that I know of have double elimination for softball through all rounds of the post season including district and regional play. I believe most have double elimination for baseball as well. College postseason is double elimination in both softball and baseball. I don't see any reason why they shouldn't play a double elimination format, especially when you have a draw like this year when one half of the bracket is loaded and the other half is weak. Most states play their state tournaments in parks like Jack Fisher. Alabama plays all 6 state tournaments in 3 days at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, and from pictures I have seen online, it appears they also use temporary fences. Tennessee plays their 5 state tournaments in 4 days at two different complexes in Murfreesboro.

 

Not Texas either. They play districts then a sub-regionals where it is best 2 out of 3 then those teams go to state that is played at UT.

we felt that had they properly rotated per the NFHS three-person coverage, they would have been in better position to be able to accurately make the correct call

 

You won't get an explanation other than the statement from KHSAA, which is fairly clear.

 

Yeah, I agree. They aren't going to give us any more info than what they already shared.

The thing missing from that long winded press release is an explanation of how the umpires made the decision.]I would like to know that, but I am sure we never will. If it was ruled a HR, what made them change the call? Did one of the umps say he thought it bounced? Did two think it bounced and thus overrule the one who called it a HR? Did one say he didn't see it, one say it bounced and one say HR? Did they make the ruling because of the fence falling over? Can we have some explanation other than it is a judgment call?

 

Rock, paper, scissors.

Did I miss it in the thread, but does anyone know where the umpires were from?

I still don't understand why it is a double elimination tournament.

Because it gives a more legit Champion IMO. Unlike Baseball where there are limits on how much a pitcher may pitch that isn't an issue in softball. So they play it out to see who's the best over all not just a fluke win. I wish baseball was the same way but it would have to be over two weeks to allow for the pitching.