Dave Johnson
05-30-2007, 02:52 PM
Space was tight and deadline fast approaching by the time I made it back from the Beach last night, so here's some stuff that didn't make it into print:
Warwick coach Jimmy Dawson was clearly upset with an umpire’s call that, right or wrong, completely changed the momentum of the game Tuesday night.
Here’s the situation: After giving up two quick runs in the top of the first, the Raiders had Alex Ward at third and Sarah Atkins at first with one out. Dawson sent Atkins down to second, a common ploy in softball to hopefully draw a throw -- or, at worst, get a free stolen base. Kellam catcher Tamra Griffin faked a throw to second and then went to third, hoping to catch Ward napping.
Ward appeared to get back easily, but the third base umpire called her out. Dawson protested, but to no avail. Instead of having two runners in scoring position with one out and clean-up hitter Va King at the plate, Warwick had a runner at second with two out. King then struck out to end the inning.
"Terrible call," Dawson said afterward. "I was stunned. I mean, I probably came close to getting thrown out. I’ll never agree with that call … but that’s not what made us lose."
Travonna Byrd never gave up a third run — she even made a terrific unassisted out at the plate on a suicide squeeze — and the Raiders had six more chances. Yet nobody advanced past second base.
Warwick coach Jimmy Dawson was clearly upset with an umpire’s call that, right or wrong, completely changed the momentum of the game Tuesday night.
Here’s the situation: After giving up two quick runs in the top of the first, the Raiders had Alex Ward at third and Sarah Atkins at first with one out. Dawson sent Atkins down to second, a common ploy in softball to hopefully draw a throw -- or, at worst, get a free stolen base. Kellam catcher Tamra Griffin faked a throw to second and then went to third, hoping to catch Ward napping.
Ward appeared to get back easily, but the third base umpire called her out. Dawson protested, but to no avail. Instead of having two runners in scoring position with one out and clean-up hitter Va King at the plate, Warwick had a runner at second with two out. King then struck out to end the inning.
"Terrible call," Dawson said afterward. "I was stunned. I mean, I probably came close to getting thrown out. I’ll never agree with that call … but that’s not what made us lose."
Travonna Byrd never gave up a third run — she even made a terrific unassisted out at the plate on a suicide squeeze — and the Raiders had six more chances. Yet nobody advanced past second base.