Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

Who's on first? What's on second and I dunno is a third!



Hello Everyone - First things first. Who is playing games tomorrow (Saturday 4/1/4)? Where and what time? E-mail me that answer if you are playing. I need a fastpitch fix.



Here are some messages from a few of our readers.



From Craig Otto:

Holmen senior Emily Pierce has opened the season with three consecutive shutouts, a 4-0 win over Fall Creek, a 1-0, 8-inning win over Central and a 5-0 win over Tomah. Pierce has two 2-hitters and a 3-hitter, and has combined for 24 strikeouts and seven walks. They re scheduled to play at a tournament in Wisconsin Dells Saturday.



Luther s Jessica Norcross hit her program s first out-of-the-park home run since their park was shortened to normal fastpitch dimensions in 2004 in a 12-2, 6-inning win over Melrose-Mindoro April 2. Luther has opened the season 3-0, including a 7-4 win at defending Coulee champion Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau March 29.



You guys must have gotten it worse down there. We only got about 2-3 inches of snow in Onalaska, which all melted today, as it was close to 50 degrees. I d be surprised if everything scheduled for tomorrow around here isn t played.



Bob,



I am the AD at Ashwaubenon. We have the 2nd Annual Ashwaubenon Spring Softball Classic coming up on April 27-28 (Friday and Saturday) at Pioneer Park in Ashwaubenon. The teams that are in this year's field: Appleton North and Kimberly will play a FVA game on Friday night for their first game of the tourney, Ashwaubenon will play Germantown, Milwaukee Pius will play Chippewa Falls, and Beaver Dam will play Waterford. The Friday games will start at 5pm. Saturday games will start at 11am and 1pm. The championship game will start at 1:30pm. Last year Chip Falls (2006 state runner-up) beat Appleton North (2005 state champions) for the championship. Ashwaubenon, the 2006 WIAA State Champions, wound up taking 3rd place.



Dave -- Mr. David Steavpack





Bob, I read your question regarding the division of teams between Div. 3 &4. The Softball Coaches Advisory took action last fall to allow for anequal split in the future. Since assignments had already been made for the

2007 tournament this will not take effect until 2008. The language is in place in this year's Season Regulations.



Marcy



Question 1 I have a question regarding a better taking signs. Earlierin the week we had two separate umpires tell me that the girls need to keepone foot in the batter's box, similar to the baseball rule. The one umpirestated that it was a new rule and was a point of emphasis at their meeting.I attended the rules interpretation meeting at the coaches clinic and havereviewed the rule and case book. The only thing I could find was the twentysecond rule.

Answer Rule 7-3-1 has not changed from previous years. This rulepertains to the time limit and restrictions on the batter. There is not arule which would prohibit a batter from stepping out of the batter's box. Baseball however does have a rule which requires "The batter to keep atl east one foot in the batter's box throughout time at bat." The umpire wascorrect that batter delays were covered in the recent Softball Meetings as a Point of Emphasis. The complete language may be reviewed on page 84 of the

NFHS Rule Book.



Question 2 Girls on Team X were using the under eye black marker that many players will use for blocking sun glare. Question is, can it be more than one line? Under just one eye? Wrapping around to the side and the top of the eye?

Answer There is not a rule restricting glare blocker. If you felt that the use was somehow unsportsmanlike you might apply Rule 3-6-13 although it would be more appropriate to discreetly speak to the coach.



Question 3 Player on first when the next batter swung (not third strike) and missed and the catcher missed the ball. All though it was a swing and miss, the sound of the ball coming off the catcher's glove sounded like a foul ball. The runner on first based advanced to second but then returned to first base on hearing fans say "foul ball" and was tagged out by the defensive team. We allowed the girls to go back to second base and continued play from there. Was this correct?

Answer Runner is out. It is the runner's responsibility to know what the umpire has called. If there is a question as to the call stay on base. Spectator interference, Rules 8-2-12 or 8-4-3k do not apply in this

instance. If the defensive team had called "foul ball" Rule 2-32; verbal interference could have been called.



Question 4 We cannot find the Easton Rebel SZ100B on the ASA approved bat list. Is is legal?

Answer Yes. The ASA has updated its legal bat list. The Easton Rebel SZ100B is now on the list.



Question 5 Out softball field is also the baseball field. We will be able to host WIAA tournament softball games?

Answer No. Please refer to the Softball Season Regulations, page 31; "Games may not be played on baseball diamonds."



Question 6 I'm just curious if there is a WIAA rule about canceling sporting events due to cold weather.

Answer The WIAA does not have temperature criteria to determine whether athletic contests should be held or not. Always contact the host school to determine the status of athletic events.



Question 7 Runners on second and third. A ground ball is hit to F5. The throw from third goes through F3's legs and comes to rest just inside dead ball territory. F3 picks up the ball, braces for the throw, and steps with one foot completely in dead ball territory. Please clarify the correct call.

Answer The ball was neither hit nor thrown into dead ball territory and became a dead ball only when the fielder, F3, stepped into dead ball territory. According to the Case Book, 8-4-3, sit. T, the award is two

bases but from the time the fielder stepped out of play (8-4-3i, Effect, page 66) not when it left the fielder's hand (8-4-3f, Effect, page 65). The step out-of-play and the throw may have been nearly simultaneous but the rule book does state there is a difference in timing.



So there are some good questions and answers for everyone thanks to Marcy at the WIAA.



Some other notes of note: From a reader in the Fox Valley Area - My understanding is that it was a misprint that Beth Spoehr hit that homerun for Appleton East. I believe that it was someone else on that team.



Dear Bob:



Sorry for the omission. The first name of the pitcher for Big Foot who threw in the Clinton game is Cameron (Niven). Clinton's pitcher was Megan Gander.

Sincerely,

Melodie O'Leary



Bob,

As you know, I've attended quite a few college softball games with you and by my self over the years. These kids are as good as it gets in Women's Softball. In the last week I've seen kids play with broken noses, stitches, ACL tears and all types of injuries. But I have not seen any injuries stemming from getting spiked with metal cleats. Let me tell you, these girls come into a base much harder than High School girls do. And guess what? I have not seen any plastic or rubber cleats on a college player yet. The money that coaches spend on these kids is so great, they don't want to risk injury from plastic cleats.

Just my .02

Brian Franson



It's Friday night and it is getting late -- Have a great weekend. Rankers, please get your picks in on Sunday during daylight hours so I can tally them.



Keep it Rising!

Bob