Tennessee Softball 2025

#6,652
#6,652
IBlvNTmWrk said:
Yes... it was a bad mistake. But it wasn't the worst mistake on the field during that play. And... at least she was showing hustle and effort. And @anecwnrjcns12 is correct... it was clearly Mealer's ball and she should have been more vocal in taking control on that play.

But the biggest mistake on that play, imo, is that there were three other players on the field that should have been helping. Mealer is watching the ball, Morgan is running and watching the ball... but Dodge, Pannell, and Pickens are all infield observers and can see the whole fiasco taking place. Either one of them, or all of them, when they saw Morgan running in should have been yelling Mealer's name. If they would have done so, Mealer would have stayed on the ball and made the catch and Morgan would have backed off. Just because you're not involved in making a play on the ball, doesn't mean you're still not involved in the play.

And as for Pickens tomorrow, I hope they tell her to move the pitches around on her first pitch... and include a little more variety than just the fast pitch. It was clear the NE batters were stepping in the box ready to swing at the first pitch.
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It’s a Karen thing. Saw the same thing last week no improvement. She didn’t correct it with coaching.
 
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#6,653
#6,653
IBlvNTmWrk said:
Yes... it was a bad mistake. But it wasn't the worst mistake on the field during that play. And... at least she was showing hustle and effort. And @anecwnrjcns12 is correct... it was clearly Mealer's ball and she should have been more vocal in taking control on that play.

But the biggest mistake on that play, imo, is that there were three other players on the field that should have been helping. Mealer is watching the ball, Morgan is running and watching the ball... but Dodge, Pannell, and Pickens are all infield observers and can see the whole fiasco taking place. Either one of them, or all of them, when they saw Morgan running in should have been yelling Mealer's name. If they would have done so, Mealer would have stayed on the ball and made the catch and Morgan would have backed off. Just because you're not involved in making a play on the ball, doesn't mean you're still not involved in the play.

And as for Pickens tomorrow, I hope they tell her to move the pitches around on her first pitch... and include a little more variety than just the fast pitch. It was clear the NE batters were stepping in the box ready to swing at the first pitch.
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That play is the shortstop’s all day every day.
 
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#6,655
#6,655
dillyo51 said:
That play is the shortstop’s all day every day.
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Yes it is... and I said as much. It was absolutely a routine play for Mealer and she was there to make the catch. However, I can pretty much guarantee you that she had no idea Morgan was running in behind her, and that's when it became non-routine. When you hear someone call you off at the last minute, and you don't expect anyone else to be around, I can understand her confusion.

That's why if one of the other infielders, who should have seen what was happening, would have yelled "SS's Ball" then it would have helped both Mealer and Morgan.
 
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#6,659
#6,659
IBlvNTmWrk said:
Yes it is... and I said as much. It was absolutely a routine play for Mealer and she was there to make the catch. However, I can pretty much guarantee you that she had no idea Morgan was running in behind her, and that's when it became non-routine. When you hear someone call you off at the last minute, and you don't expect anyone else to be around, I can understand her confusion.

That's why if one of the other infielders, who should have seen what was happening, would have yelled "SS's Ball" then it would have helped both Mealer and Morgan.
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Morgan screwed up. Only answer.
 
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#6,662
#6,662
Even professional softball and MLB players occasionally make that costly mistake. It shouldn't happen, especially among people paid to perform at the highest levels, but it does. That said, I think the main reason this occasionally happens is obviously because competitors gets so hyperfocused on making sure the play is made that everybody mentally beads in on making sure the play is made, and then in that moment tunes everything out EXCEPT "I MUST MAKE THIS PLAY!"

Everybody just wants to make sure the play is made, instincts take over, and they momentarily zone everything else out. Like I said, even superstar major leaguers, who very well know better, will still occasionally make this blunder as they each focus intently on the ball.

That said, yes, I agree that players with no play on the ball have to be the ones to speak up, AND LOUDLY, to whichever teammate needs to be the one to make the play. But it all happens so quickly sometimes. It's tough.

I hated it for our kids yesterday. Hopefully today we won't make any costly defensive mistakes and will get some hits. Bahl is likely to be even more confident today, though, which is a problem. She is, IMO, the POY. What a player!
 
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#6,666
#6,666
I sure hope the ESPN cameras do not miss a move that Bahl makes today, they showed her in dugout more than the entire field of play. And commentators don’t choke on all their slobbering
 
#6,667
#6,667
chuckiepoo said:
Strong lesson for the entire staff, roster and coaches.
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At this point, you are who you are. Tough challenge ahead to pull two off with how last night went. The Bahl effect on the team/coaches will be telling early on the mindset and approach.
 
#6,671
#6,671
Smokieifyougottem said:
Our “best option” at SS, leader and senior in probably her 2nd to last game… needed to take charge and make that catch on a pop up. Everyone seems like they are more scared to mess up than make a routine play. I miss the good old days when harder plays were given much more scrutiny, you guys are getting soft.
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She called the ball and waved her arms to indicate it was her ball. The left fielder does not be catching pop ups in the infield. I like aggressive play on defense, but one has to be aware that there are other players on the field who can and should make plays
 
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#6,674
#6,674
Majors said:
I don’t want to beat the kid up as it’ll follow her. That’s a culmination of the season in one play. Pickens gets a routine pop out to end the inning and we find a way to continue it.
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Frustrating as a pitcher when you throw a pop up and it doesn't get caught. You can't give good teams extra outs.
 
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