Softball talent (and depth) has improved dramatically over the last 20-30 years. Game IQ has not, and coaches at all levels should make it a higher priority.
When ULM put in their second picture and she was warming up, even I could see the crow hop. And it was pretty freaking obvious if I could see it.
Ian and Bobby mentioned that Ali had met with the umpire crew before the game and told them that they had picked up her tendencies on film and wanted them aware of it.
After I yelled at a couple of times (with the requisite number of punches in the thigh from my wife) other people started picking it up and noticing it as well.
When it came to the seventh, home plate umpire started, mentioning it to the pitcher and coach.
As a matter of fact, from what Bobby and Ian were saying, there is also a “pitching lane” that is defined by the rubber.
Bobby pointed out that the pitcher was literally covering up the rubber with dirt to obscure what the line might look like.
My wife said that blue spoke to the pitcher three times about it and coaches twice (or vice versa)
This was completely on ULM‘s coach. If she had pulled the pitcher they might have survived.
Cody is my broadcast partner. Ian has not done Softball since 2022