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Claysburg 12, Somerset 10
Somerset 9, Claysburg 6
Claysburg 15, Somerset 13

29 innings
Claysburg 33, Somerset 32

It's a real shame the 2 best teams, by far, in the area can't move on to regionals because of Bedford's automatic bid..

Crusher grad 98 wrote:It's a real shame the 2 best teams, by far, in the area can't move on to regionals because of Bedford's automatic bid..

I think Bedford split with each team in regular season so I'm not sure "by far" applies.

I drove up for the final game and what a zoo it was. Terrible baseball but great drama. Teams out of pitchers. Players having hard time picking up ball under the lights. Both teams arguing balls and strikes. And I'm not sure it's over yet. If Somerset protested on the balk call in the eighth inning (and I think they did), I think they should win it. Unless there's a Legion rule that supercedes it, it's my understanding a pitcher CAN throw from the rubber to an unoccupied base for the purpose of an appeal.

Sounds like another case of wonderful officiating. Rule 8.01(c) allows a pitcher to pitch, throw to an occupied base, or step off while in contact with the rubber. The pitcher may also throw to an unoccupied base if appealing that a runner missed a base or left too early on a fly ball. Legion does use MLB rules, so if the protest isn't upheld then what a travesty this will be.

You are correct that a pitcher can throw to an unoccupied base to appeal leaving too early but the problem arises because he didnt disengage from the rubber first. He HAS to step off then appeal not throw while still on the rubber.

According to MLB rule 8.05 it is a balk when (d) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play.

An appeal is an attempted force play questioning that a runner missed the base or left early. Therefore it should not be called a balk. If that is the case, then Somerset deserves to have their appeal heard and the game should have to be resumed at that point.

Talk to several college-level umpires who all agree this rule is often misinterpreted and a balk should not be called if pitcher throws from the rubber to an unoccupied based FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETIRING A RUNNER. Considering the timing of the regional and the logistics involved, it will be very interesting to see how this is handled (if at all).

Even if the appeal would be upheld, what would even happen? The information for regionals had to be in this morning for finalizing purposes. Claysburg is in regionals and with all the info turned in, how would you replay it?

A little birdie told me Somerset withdrew its protest, which is a classy gesture and probably the right thing to do given the circumstances.