When is an error not an error?

First off, congratulations to the University of Washington Huskies softball team on advancing to the NCAA Super Regional on Sunday. That was a great showing for Washington as they took advantages of opportunities… especially a couple of UNC errors. Washington’s base running has been great this year. They have improved significantly over last year, when all too often you shook your head at a some costly blunders..;) This year, they have been agressive, without being reckless. Great to watch, and it should serve as a good example for younger players and those that strive to play at the next level. Particullarly, I’ve noticed them taking advantage of teams trying to cover steals with their 2nd base. Yesterday they did it uncontested.

So that brings up my next topic. So when is an error not an error? Well, when you are scoring via NCAA rules… Sunday afternoon, UNC tied the score at 1-1 when a line drive was hit over the head of UW left fielder Nikki Williams. Instead of taking that “first step back”, she didn’t move and misplayed the ball. If she takes a good hard step backward, she catches that ball… game over. I bet, if you asked her, she catches that ball 9 out of 10 times. In ASA scoring, “any misplay of the ball that extends an at bat or runner” is considered an error. In the NCAA, an outfielder who runs in on a ball that goes over their head, is not recorded as an error. So there is a definate difference in scoring errors.

Oh, and for those of you who play for me… sorry, you have to catch everything!