May 28, 2012

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle:

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

posted by huddle to general at 06:00 AM - 10 comments

Shawinigan Cataractes win Memorial Cup in overtime The Cataractes are only founding franchise still intact from when the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was formed in 1969, but had never claimed the nation's top junior hockey prize.

posted by tommybiden at 11:22 AM on May 28, 2012

Derrick Salberg extends his community college baseball career a little longer with one of the most spectacular catches I have ever seen, saving his team's 4-2 lead and closing out the game.

posted by dfleming at 12:03 PM on May 28, 2012

Post-game call in shows are fun: Robert from Scarborough discusses P.J. Wilson, Gino Gonzalez & right hander Mark Buehrle

posted by tommybiden at 02:54 PM on May 28, 2012

Not to be nitpicky, but at least at the MLB level I believe if you go over the fence in making a catch, it's ruled a homerun. Or maybe it's only if you touch the ground past the fence before catching the ball, but after it's okay (but with less than two outs the ball is still in play, and a runner on 2nd could probably score easily on the play)

posted by hincandenza at 06:11 PM on May 28, 2012

I believe if you go over the fence in making a catch, it's ruled a homerun.

If you make the catch while in the air, even though the ball is over the fence at the time, and you come down demonstrating control of the ball, it is a catch and an out. I've heard the rule simply stated as "you are where you were until you get where you are going". In other words, the ball is not out of play until it touches the ground or an object that is out of play. The fielder and his equipment is not out of play if he started in play and does not go out before the catch. If there are runners on base and less than 2 out before the catch is made, and the fielder goes out of play (tumbles into the stands, for example), the runners are awarded 1 base from the time of the fielder going out of play. Rule 5.10 (f) and 7.04 (c) apply. Also, the definition of a home run (4-base award) is in rule 7.05 (a). Also see the comment in rule 2.0 (catch).

The ball in play - ball out of play rule is often confused with the fair - foul rule. If a ball is touched in foul territory by a fielder, regardless of where the fielder is standing, it is a foul ball, whereas a fielder can reach into dead ball territory and make a legal catch.

I've had some occasion to get into the rule book lately because I've gotten back onto the field as an umpire. It's a long story, but after I retired my stress level came down, my blood pressure came down, and my doctor took me off of one of my medications. After a while, I found I could run again without cramping, so I talked to one of my old umpiring mates and he put me to work. It's only Cal Ripken League, but they are allowing runners to lead and steal now, so the 2-man mechanics are what we used with the big kids. I am one happy man when I put on the gear and get on the field.

posted by Howard_T at 09:14 PM on May 28, 2012

Talk about great NFL draft classes, the Detroit Lions really hit the jackpot in 2011. Nick Fairley is the latest of the group to find problems off the field. Mikel Leshoure and Johnny Culbreath have both been arrested for marijuana posession, and Titus Young has been banned from OTAs after he sucker punched a teammate at a workout. Lions' kicker Jason Hanson says it's just "a case of young guys being dumb", but maybe it should be dumb guys being young.

posted by Howard_T at 09:26 PM on May 28, 2012

Good for you Howard for getting back out there. Dedicated, experienced officiating in youth sports...the thought of it makes me go into a bit of a swoon. There's a shortage of it in all sports in my area.

Please be careful that SpoFi doesn't spike your BP and send you back on the scrips. I don't mind being accused of making a fellow reach for Mr. Walker or Mr. Daniels, but not for the medicine cabinet.

posted by beaverboard at 12:24 AM on May 29, 2012

Please be careful that SpoFi doesn't spike your BP

Our mates on SpoFi are good for at least one good laugh per viewing, not to mention those things we learn here. The best part is the few disagreements that do happen don't usually last more than a few days.

posted by Howard_T at 01:18 PM on May 29, 2012

Howard -- I think I speak for all of us when I say please beware of angry parents in wheelchairs with crossbows.

posted by holden at 04:15 PM on May 29, 2012

Howard -- I think I speak for all of us when I say please beware of angry parents in wheelchairs with crossbows.

Thanks Holden that made laugh!

I'll 2nd or 3rd or where ever we are, good for you HT!

posted by Folkways at 04:51 PM on May 29, 2012

You're not logged in. Please log in or register.