Eastern vs Waterford controversy

[Bleeding Red]

Boys and girls, I have played a hellava lot of baseball in my time at many levels.

Never seen a game stopped for darkness while there was a batter in the box.

[Fonzie]

That is part of the game. In my opinion, if Eastern's coach did in fact have that meeting with the umpire to try and get the darkness call, then he is doing his job well. Aren't coaches supposed to put their team in the best position to win? If that is the case, then getting them the extra time, maybe stall out the momentum that Waterford had building, then good for him.

Maybe not what Waterford wanted, but if roles had been reversed, then I would be saying the same thing about their coach. Surprised Eastern didn't try and extend the previous inning with mound visits, pitching changes, and arguing a call just to stall a bit.

What does it accomplish to make your team better? It's bush league. They couldn't hold a lead, so the adult came in and bailed them out by stalling? I didn't go to either school, but it sounds pretty bush league to me.

We can agree to disagree. I've coach many levels of baseball, and I have seen Hall of Fame coaches do this same thing. I don't see any difference in what happened, and taking a mound visit to try and break up a teams momentum at the plate. I believe you're doing your job as a coach if you give your guys a chance to win. You can call it bailing them out, I call it coaching. I did not attend either school either. I have no dog in the fight, other than a love of the game of baseball.

[mhs95_06]

The same problem as the uniform color controversy at the Convo at the district basketball tourney. The official took the bait on a suggestion that he should not have even entertained.

[Ironman92]

There’s really nothing that doesn’t make it sound shady. Nothing.

[91blue14]

sounds like a good thing to do in a close ballgame, square away the books pick up where you left off at the other teams field. let the kids play 7 innings

[Jimbo]

Stalling? like by throwing excessive unnecessary pickoff attempts, and making mound visit for no reason? was that easterns coach or waterfords? heard it happened. those answers will show the real culprit in this case. definitely agree its bush league whoever it was

[swaggy7]

Nothing against Eastern and I'm not bashing them, however I do believe Waterford got screwed over on this one. I'll set the scene and you tell me.
Going into the sixth inning, Waterford trailed Eastern 3-4. Waterford was away team so they bat first and end up scoring 3 runs to make it 6-4. Now I'm not accusing collusion by Eastern, but before their turn at bat I noticed the coach/ manager have a lengthy discussion with the umpires while Waterford pitcher was warming up and really thought nothing of it. Waterford got two quick outs and the third batter stepped to the plate and proceeded to amass a 1-2 count. Meaning one more strike and the inning was over. After the batter swings and misses for his second strike the umpire calls time and decided that it was too dark to continue. ?????? The time was 7:28.
Not very dark at all at that time. Waterford played a game two nights before that lasted until 7:50.
So the game was suspended. My understanding is that if Waterford got the third out. ( One more strike) the game would have been considered a completed game. Waterford wins. Now the game is suspended and we play another inning. I suppose that if the shoe was on the other foot then I would agree to suspend. However, the coach talking to the umpires before their turn at bat sounds very fishy. The catcher from Waterford was standing beside the coach/ umpire exchange when they were talking and said it was about how dark it was getting. So what do you think?
COLLUSION or NO COLLUSION??

Cry me a river.

One. Pitch. Very fishy. Probably a Eastern player^^

You know whats very fishy is the fact that you spend all your energy calling out a kid. Your probably one of those parents that yells at other kids.

[rickoshay]

And, who always said "Waterford has the ref's and UMP'S in their pockets"? Not this time folks.

[mhs95_06]

I understand that both the conclusion of this game and the full regular game at Waterford has been rescheduled for today. Are they going to start before 5pm to have a better chance to get both games thru the full 7 innings, or extras if it comes to that? If so, what is the expected starting time?

[Gold Blood]

I understand that both the conclusion of this game and the full regular game at Waterford has been rescheduled for today. Are they going to start before 5pm to have a better chance to get both games thru the full 7 innings, or extras if it comes to that? If so, what is the expected starting time?

Not correct. The second game will be played today at Waterford. The conclusion of the prior game will be completed at Eastern on Friday with a JV game to follow the 1 1/3 innings of Varsity.

[Meagle]

Eastern 18
Waterford 12

[Chaw]

So you're not going to tell the whole story???
18- 12 ....called AFTER the 6 inning due to darkness...I bet your not going to say they should play 7 innings now are you...such BS...They should finish this game on Friday also...

[Chaw]

If the first game should continue then so should the second... difference in the two games is one strike!!!...settle them both in 7 innings....

[Gold Blood]

So you're not going to tell the whole story???
18- 12 ....called AFTER the 6 inning due to darkness...I bet your not going to say they should play 7 innings now are you...such BS...They should finish this game on Friday also...

Look at the rule book. It’s all there.

[Meagle]

I was not at the game, only heard the score. Seems you are just looking for an argument. With the points you make, might I suggest OHSAA.

[Chaw]

Just because the ohsaa rules went easterns way doesn't make it right...I'm simply saying that an earlier statement about the first game needing to play to 7 innings doesn't fit the same narrative for the second game. Very hypocritical. Seems what is fair for the first game isn't fair for the second game.

[Chaw]

The game will be finished at Waterford, right before they play their second contest.

Hope you understand that the safety of the athletes is the first concern of the umpires. The same crew last night stopped a non conference game last year with a inning and a half to go. Game was never made up. So, being a top conference game in our league, this game should be finished to 7 innings.

Also, unless you know what was said between anyone, maybe you should stop assuming what was said.

[Chaw]

I suppose you've changed your mind about playing 7 innings?. If Waterford was ahead, would you be all about the rules?. I think not. I believe, and have said from the beginning, they should both be played to 7 innings. Perfect chance would be on April 19 when Waterford travels to Eastern to finish the first game

[Meagle]

I would love to see all games played to 7 innings, but I also understand the rules of the game. You’re looking to get me to argue with you and I understand you’re upset. But I will not be apart of that.

[BurgBuckeye]

There’s really nothing that doesn’t make it sound shady. Nothing.

I hope I'm reading that correct. In other words you are saying everything about it sounds shady??? I hope. In that case I do agree.

If that story is 100% true I'm not sure if they could have made it anymore obvious.... lol
I agree with everyone, games should be played to the complete 7 inning regardless of where they get called. But stopping 20 min. before other recent games did????