M Softball wins 1st of DH, loses 2nd on poor officiating

I make a typo its because my fingers are numb. In the first inning of 2nd game we had a hail-delay. About 1/2 inch hail covered the field.

everyone.  I have been around this game for a good many years.  I have seen some good calls and some bad calls.  I even support umpires when they make a mistake because they are human and will make mistakes.  Jim Joyce comes to mind.

There were 3 bad calls in the 2nd game.  The first was a no-call when the Indiana 3rd baseman missed a throw and Ryan slid into 3rd.  The 3rd baseman was laying on top of Ryan with no attempt to allow her to get up and score.  Carol challenged the play because she was right there in the coaches box.  No call from the umpire. 

The second poor call was a bases loaded and Ashley Lane was hit in the hands by a pitch.  The home plate umpire said Ashley did not attempt to get out of the way.  I have only seen that not called twice in my life.  Most umpires give the hitter that option.

The third bad call was on Ryan again.  She was on second and a ball was hit up the middle.  There was hesitation from the SS but Ryan did not touch her.  Ryan made it to third and everyone was safe.  The Cry baby Indiana Coach (who played at Michigan for Carol in 1987), protested and the 1st base up called Ryan out.  Carol came un-glued.  The 1st base umpire was not in position because he was watching the ball, not the runner.

Anyway. Carol say something like "get the fuck off my diamond" and the umpire tosses her.  Carol is walking away with her back to the umpire.  The umpire was yelling at Carol and followed her to the dugout.  The first base coach had to put her hands on the umpire to him to get away from Carol.  I thought he was going to attack Carol.

I lost it along with some others in section 3.  I had to leave the game but the usher asked me to stay and keep yelling at the umpire.  I never had that happen before.  So I did.  I usually dont go after bad umpires because I dont know them or their situation.  All I know is he was going after my coach with a violent demeaner.

Thank God Dave Brandon was there.  A few of us were talking with him and asked him to see to it that this umpire NEVER steps foot in A2 again. 

On a good note, it was good to chat it up with Dave and his lovely wife.  He stayed for the last half of the game and seemed to really enjoy the sport. 

the data is clear.  Colder weather favors the hitters, warm weather favors pitchers.  But our hitters have been quiet the past 5 games, save for Ashley's tater against BGU.

Yesterday we left way too many runners on base.  We had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs and did not score a run.  Early in the 2nd game I heard Hutch jump on Chiddy for poor pitch selection.  If you remember, she was swinging at balls all day.  Smart pitchers know this and will give you those balls all day long.  If you continue to swing at them, you will never get a good pitch.

Dorian in her 2nd at bat in the 2nd game disappointed me.  She took the first pitch right down the middle.  It was a hitters pitch for sure.  I do not have the stats to know if Dorian is a first ball hitter or not this year.   She got around on a few pitches as she drove 3 or 4 foul balls into the batting cage nets along the LF line.  So she was seeing the ball well.  She eventually struck out with that at-bat.

So I agree with your assessment.  Our hitting has stalled a bit lately.  We have played well enough to win in those other games.

Overall I think we will be fine.  NW is by far the 2nd best team in the Big 10.  We will get bitch-slapped by someone again, possibly Iowa or MSU later in the season.  I am not pushing the panic button unless we lose 3 more.  My prediction of 2 losses (+/-1) still holds for Big 10 Play.