Thursday, May 19, 2011

Just a bad decision

I don't want this to sound like I am crying, or being a homer, but the decision to start Monday's Lancaster-Lebanon League softball playoff game between the Columbia Crimson Tide and Donegal Indians was a huge error in judgment.


I'd be saying the same thing whether or not Columbia was playing. For these girls and their coaches, it was a chance to possibly play for a league championship. How many chances does a team get the opportunity to do so? Well, in the Tide's case, it was their first chance.

I got to Willow Street about 15 minutes before the first pitch and it was already raining. And it just got worse. By the time the game was called, Columbia pitcher Emily Detz had dropped a pitch on the mound and to use an expression by Chris Wheeler, fired a 100 hopper to the plate. And the puddles were visible on the infield.

By the time the umpires called the game, Donegal led 4-0. As anyone knows, in high school softball, that's a huge lead to overcome.

Both teams deserved a chance to play under better circumstances. It was a huge error in judgment by the L-L League even starting the game. Not just because of the weather, but player safety as well.

I understand there was an attempt made to ask for the game to be restarted, which was turned down by a higher power (PIAA), which again is a shame.

I do think I know what I am talking about regarding this issue. Until a few years ago, I was active in youth sports not only Columbia but in Lancaster County as well. I coached, umpired and ran a well respected youth baseball tournament. I understand the rules as far as who is in charge before a game or tournament starts; who is in charge once a game begins, etc.

Again, I don't want to make this sound like sour grapes or for someone to say “its just Columbia, who cares” and if that's how people think, so be it. But I disagree with the decision to start this game because of what was at stake.