NW 3A/4A

The bat was checked on tuesday. That is a fact. The officals did say it was legal on tuesday. Officals did not check bats on wed. untile after coach Craft called out illegal bat.

 

Bad Situation

It is a shame, the Coach who's Team used the (Stealth Comp) has allowed his players to use this bat all year. The Stealth Comp. Bats have all been talked about the entire year as being illegal. It is up to the Head Coach to not allow his players to use illegal bats and do the right thing so situations like this do not happen. I know that as the State Tourney Starts, it could mean the difference win ending your year on a bad note or moving on playing another game.

 

when umpires "check" bats before a game, they do not look for legal/non-legal. they are checking for cracks or dents ONLY. that was explained to me by one of the best umpires in our area.

that is why, during the meeting at homeplate the umpires ask each coach, "are all players properly equipped?" that takes the liability off of umpires and places it squarely on the shoulders of coaches. it is the responsiblity of each coach to know "check" his team's bats and be able to correctly answer the question at the plate.

i know this because we had the same situation early in the year. luckily for us it didn't affect the outcome as it sounds like Foard was not penalized with the final result either.

even though it is just one more thing for a coach to worry about, the fact of the matter is simple...it is the coach's responsibility to make sure that his players are using legal equipment.

 

Let me say this....

First it is the coaches job to throw out all bats that are not legal. When the Umpire ask " is your team legally equipped" thats all on you.

Second I don't think Hickory should be blaming that game on the bat. I heard it was a good game on both sides. Hickory has the best pitching in the league by far. I dont understand how they don't win more.

 

in this case the officals were ask specificaly about wheater the bat was legal or not because the player wanted to make sure before game started if he could use it or if he need to use his other bat.

 

just a little helpful information...

from a thread back in March, this should make it very easy for a COACH to check on the legality of a bat so that things like this don't happen. it really would look horribly irresponsible if a coach knowingly allowed a player to use a bat that wasn't up to the allowed specifications.

if the bat is in this database, swing away...Legal bats

if the bat is on this database, put it back in the bag....ILLEGAL bats

 

who said Hickory blamed the loss on the bat?

 

Well put! It's not rocket science. There was no victim in this situation. No need for false motivation. Just a case of - as you say - coaching irresponsibility.

 

All Conference / Player of the year

Does anyone know who was named to the all conference team and who was named player of the year?

 

names aren't allowed to be released until after everyone is out of the playoffs. individual teams can announce their selections at their banquets, but the entire group will be put in the paper as soon as the last team is finished with their season.