Softball Umpire, Knocked Over By Slide, Calls Runner Safe
Softball Umpire, Knocked Over By Slide, Calls Runner Safe
game between Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State on Wednesday ended when the umpire, Chuck Kirkendoff, called a runner safe at the plate when she was clearly out. How out? Never-touching-the-plate out.
Remember that truly awful umpire call from earlier this month? Here it is again to refresh your memory:
Is This The Worst Umpire Call In The History Of Softball?
Well, this homeplate ump from a college game attempted to set the new mark. And he came pretty darn close.
A game between Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State on Wednesday ended when the umpire, Chuck Kirkendoff, called a runner safe at the plate when she was clearly out. How out? Never-touching-the-plate out.
On the play, Louisiana Tech's Al Galaz bunted to the right side of the infield. Northwestern State first baseman Brittney Jones fielded it and tossed home to catcher Emma Hawthorne, who adeptly blocked the plate.
The runner, Marilyn Rizzato, slid into Hawthorne's pads and was tagged. She never touched home plate. Northwestern State coach Donald Pickett argued the call, but it didn't matter.
The umpire, who was in a weird position and was actually knocked down by Rizzato's slide, called her safe anyway. The game was over and Louisiana Tech had won.
Could Kirkendoff have called Rizzato safe because of Hawthorne's position up the line? By rule, a catcher is allowed to block the plate in softball if she has the ball, though. And why was he near the baseline on that side, close enough to be knocked over by the runner's slide?
Bizarre stuff. But probably not as bad as aforementioned Worst Umpire Call Ever.
By Marc Raimondi
Is This The Worst Umpire Call In The History Of Softball?
Well, this homeplate ump from a college game attempted to set the new mark. And he came pretty darn close.
A game between Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State on Wednesday ended when the umpire, Chuck Kirkendoff, called a runner safe at the plate when she was clearly out. How out? Never-touching-the-plate out.
On the play, Louisiana Tech's Al Galaz bunted to the right side of the infield. Northwestern State first baseman Brittney Jones fielded it and tossed home to catcher Emma Hawthorne, who adeptly blocked the plate.
The runner, Marilyn Rizzato, slid into Hawthorne's pads and was tagged. She never touched home plate. Northwestern State coach Donald Pickett argued the call, but it didn't matter.
The umpire, who was in a weird position and was actually knocked down by Rizzato's slide, called her safe anyway. The game was over and Louisiana Tech had won.
Could Kirkendoff have called Rizzato safe because of Hawthorne's position up the line? By rule, a catcher is allowed to block the plate in softball if she has the ball, though. And why was he near the baseline on that side, close enough to be knocked over by the runner's slide?
Bizarre stuff. But probably not as bad as aforementioned Worst Umpire Call Ever.
By Marc Raimondi