If Liberty's coach is going to do this crap, then Lombardi needs to return it in kind.   Call for a balk review when ever any new Oregon batter comes up, etc. etc.

 

Dot's reviews were annoying, even more than Miami's football edition last year. On Friday, the reviews on Luchar exposed a ridiculous flaw in the rule, hopefully it can be corrected. As for Dot's "genius" in spotting it, I don't buy it. Luchar stole a base, Dot didn't like that so she called a challenge, that's it. 

Sorry to disagree, but the NCAA rules are pretty specific and support the Liberty coach's decision to contest the calls. She noted a glitch, perhaps on film review, in how Kai lifted her lead foot off the base even though she wasn't leaving early or getting a jump on the pitch. Once Luschar was no longer in contact with the base, she was in violation of the strict interpretation of the rules. From the NCAA Rulebook:

 

12.6 Base Runner Is Out

12.6.1 When she leaves the base she is occupying before the pitch is released and

the defensive coach does not take the result of the play.

 

12.14 Leaving A Base

12.14.1 A runner may not leave the base she attained at the conclusion of play

once the ball is in the pitcher’s possession in the pitcher’s circle.

 

DL took advantage of a loophole in the 12 men on the field rule to help defeat Ohio State at Autzen. The NCAA then changed the rulebook to close that loophole. That's just smart coaching, and I give Dot Richardson the nod for exploiting it.

 

The softball rules may need a revamp, but I suspect that runners will just make sure they always stay in contact with the base before trying to steal. I'm thankful that these calls didn't hurt Oregon and that the issue will be addressed before the WS games, where they could have been devastating. 

 

 

     Give me Liberty or give me the rule book?

On 5/25/2025 at 6:55 AM, 30Duck said:

Dot's reviews were annoying, even more than Miami's football edition last year. On Friday, the reviews on Luchar exposed a ridiculous flaw in the rule, hopefully it can be corrected. As for Dot's "genius" in spotting it, I don't buy it. Luchar stole a base, Dot didn't like that so she called a challenge, that's it. 

I don’t see it as a flaw. The rule is the rule.

 

Now there is clarity on how it MAY be enforced. Even though Kai has been doing this all season, I’m sure she’ll alter her technique in OKC.

On 5/25/2025 at 5:00 PM, DUCKED said:

I don’t see it as a flaw. The rule is the rule

 In basketball and football, if a player re-establishes their position, it's good. In accordance with the rule, Luchar was in contact with base, she did not break the rule by leaving early. Whether her foot was off the base by a quarter of an inch, a half second before she left, on time, shouldn't matter, and when Dot challenged her steal in the first inning of the second game, Luchar had altered her technique, and the challenge failed.

Consider yourselves, "LIBERATED"!

One of the first things I learned playing outfield in baseball was that I was not to be standing still when my pitcher released the ball.  You get a quicker jump to catch a fly, or get in front of a line drive if you’re already in motion than you get standing still.  
 

Kai’s foot lift accomplished the same thing.  The next day after the challenge she was still doing an exaggerated lean into her exit from the base, almost off balance.  There’s no doubt in my mind that she gained an advantage by the foot lift.

Luscher broke the letter of the rule but not the intent. The intent is to not let the runner be off the base and heading home, she is actually going backwards when she steps up.  It was the correct call, but the frustrating thing was she was called on it again in the bottom of the 7th.  They should have known Liberty of watching for it. 

 

But remember we also got a cheap out by a clerical error, I believe it was a wrong number given to the umpire.  This I believe is a very stiff penalty for what I believe is a very minor incident.  But they won and "It all don't matter" (paraphrasing from a Jimmy Buffet song)