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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WCWS Frenzy: Social Media erupts after controversial obstruction call in WCWS finals
A pivotal obstruction call in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series finals between Texas and Texas Tech has ignited widespread debate across the softball community and social media, with players, coaches and fans questioning the rule's application and its impact on the game. The controversy unfolded in the top of the fifth inning when Texas catcher Reese Atwood appeared to throw out Texas Tech's Logan Halleman on a steal attempt at second base. However, after a challenge by Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco, umpires ruled that Texas shortstop Leighann Goode obstructed Halleman's path, awarding the runner second base and overturning what looked like a routine caught stealing. Two batters later, Texas Tech scored the game's first run, a crucial moment in a tightly contested matchup. Advertisement The ruling, based on NCAA softball's obstruction guidelines, states that a defender cannot block any part of the base or impede a runner's path unless in possession of the ball. Despite the rule's clarity on paper, its real-time enforcement has become a flashpoint, especially in high-stakes postseason play. The outcry extended to college coaches and analysts, some of whom urged the NCAA to revisit the obstruction rule in their annual survey, arguing that its current interpretation is a clear problem this entire post-season and that such calls could have cost the Longhorns the game. While the rule is designed to protect runners and ensure fair play, critics argue that its rigid enforcement has overshadowed athletic performances and led to outcomes that feel at odds with the spirit of competition. 'There is no question that Halleman would've been out without the obstruction, but the rule states that on obstruction, the runner is awarded the base,' The Sporting News wrote. Advertisement As the WCWS continues tomorrow, the debate over obstruction calls is likely to intensify, with many in the softball community calling for clearer guidelines and more consistent application to preserve the integrity and excitement of the sport. The Longhorns took game one of the WCWS 2-1 over the Big 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders, who never trailed throughout the tournament until meeting the Longhorns at the championship. Game two is set for tomorrow, May 5 at 7:00pm CT. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: WCWS Final Texas vs. Texas Tech sparks frenzy online
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Obstruction rule creates Women's College World Series more controversy in Texas win
Rules and the application of those rules have gotten out of hand in collegiate athletics. In the fall, we're constantly debating what is and isn't targeting. In the spring, it's the obstruction rule in softball. The application of the rule has been incredibly inconsistent and often misapplied by umpires throughout the sport. It was once again poorly applied in game one of the Women's College World Series championship series between Texas and Texas Tech. With one out in the top of the fifth inning and the score tied at zero, Texas Tech's Logan Halleman attempted to steal second base. She was initially ruled out, and she was out by a mile, but on review, the umpiring crew overturned the call based on obstruction. The argument was that the short stop's foot was in the baseline. However, Leighann Goode received the ball just as Halleman was beginning her slide into second. Goode applied the tag more than a foot away from the base and did so without any other part of her body coming into contact with Halleman. There's literally no better way to play that than the way Goode did. But, just for reference, here is the obstruction rule from the NCAA. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle "The change is intended to simplify the rule covering when a defensive player impedes the progress of any runner who is legally running bases on a live ball. "Under the revised rule, it is obstruction if the defensive player, while not in possession of the ball, does the following: Blocks any part of the leading edge of first, second or third base or home plate. Otherwise blocks the runner from advancing or returning to a base. "However, defensive players will not be called for obstruction if they are in possession of the ball or if they are making a legitimate reaction to the trajectory of the ball after it is thrown. Additionally, if in the umpire's judgment the runner would have clearly been out, then obstruction is ignored." Later in the inning, Texas Tech took a 1-0 lead on a two-out single from Mihiya Davis. Could it be argued that it was obstruction? Sure. However, that's not the spirit of obstruction. The idea behind obstruction was to protect the players. Goode did that on her own with the way she received the ball on the stolen base attempt. She wasn't blocking the base. She wasn't preventing Halleman from reaching second. And it was clear that Halleman was out. This isn't what obstruction was intended for. It ultimately didn't matter as Texas scored two in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead and win game one. However, it very well could have mattered. That could have been the second out of the inning, which may have prevented Tech from taking the 1-0 lead. Texas got the last laugh as the Longhorns Softball X (formerly known as Twitter) took a jab at the obstruction call. And it isn't just this game. Obstruction has been front and center throughout the NCAA Tournament, getting in the way of some key moments in games. As Patty Gasso called for the NCAA to look into the way they handle the Women's College World Series semifinal schedule, there should be a call from coaches everywhere to overhaul or get rid of the obstruction rule altogether. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X@john9williams.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas rallies past Texas Tech to win WCWS Game 1, as Atwood swings at 3-0 pitch
OKLAHOMA CITY — It was supposed to be ball 4. As NiJaree Canady struggled to intentionally walk Reese Atwood in the bottom of the sixth, the batter capitalized. Atwood, one of Texas' best hitters, didn't take the 3-0 pitch that was intended to give her a free pass to first base. Instead, she swung, singling to score two runs and send the Longhorns to a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series on Wednesday. Atwood's hit gave Texas Tech its first deficit of the day at Devon Park and lifted Texas past one of the most controversial calls this June. Advertisement In the top of the fifth with the game still scoreless, Texas Tech's Logan Halleman was called out at second after being caught stealing by Texas' Leighann Goode. However, Halleman was deemed safe because Goode was called for obstruction after a review. Instead of clearing the bases, Texas Tech had a runner on second, and Halleman crossed home plate on Mihiya Davis' RBI single later in the inning. According to the NCAA softball rulebook, obstruction occurs when a defensive player without possession of the ball 'impedes a batter's attempt to make contact with a pitch or impedes the progress of any runner who is legally running bases on a live ball,' whether intentionally or unintentionally. Advertisement It is also obstruction when a defensive player without the ball 'blocks any part of the leading edge of first, second or third base or home plate.' If a player has the ball, or if a player is 'making a legitimate reaction to the trajectory of the ball after it is thrown,' it is not considered obstruction. Texas and Texas Tech meet again in Game 2 on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Texas is one win away from the program's first title after making it to the championship series for the third time in four years. Game 3, if necessary, is slotted for Friday at 8 p.m. ET. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Advertisement College Sports, Women's College Sports 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WCWS Game 1: Texas scores wild win over Texas Tech as Reese Atwood knocks in game-winning runs on failed intentional walk
Texas Tech was trying to intentionally walk Reese Atwood. But the Texas catcher had other ideas. Atwood swung at a 3-0 offering from NiJaree Canady that found the plate for a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning of Wednesday's Game 1 of the Women's College World Series. Advertisement The runs were the first of the game for Texas and ultimately secured a 2-1 win over Texas Tech. The Longhorns are now one win away from securing the program's first WCWS championship in the best-of-three series. Canady was in control of the game, having allowed a single Texas hit through 5 2/3 innings. But she allowed a pair of two-out Texas singles in the bottom of the sixth that put runners on second and third base after two steals. Then Atwood delivered with one of the more bizarre clutch hits that you'll ever see. The hit was the first of the WCWS for Atwood, who's been struggling in Oklahoma City on the heels of her All-SEC campaign. But she delivered Wednesday night when it mattered most to put the Longhorns on the cusp of a championship. "It was a close game, you got to take risks," Atwood told ESPN after the game. "On the first pitch, I thought I could have hit it. The next one she kind of slowed down on it. So I took my chance and I got it." Advertisement After Atwood's late hit, Texas starter Keagan Kavan finished the job with a scoreless top of the seventh to secure the 2-1 Texas win. The win for Kavan capped a sterling effort that was marred by only a single, controversial unearned Texas Tech run that threatened to give the Red Raiders a win before Atwood's late heroics. Controversial call almost delivered a Texas Tech win With the game locked in a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning, Texas Tech's Logan Halleman attempted to steal second base after reaching first on one of four Texas errors. Atwood delivered a perfect throw on the steal attempt, and shortstop shortstop Leighann Goode tagged Halleman out by at least two feet. The play wasn't close. Goode was clearly out. But Texas Tech challenged and was awarded an obstruction call upon review with umpires ruling that Goode's left foot was on the basepath. Halleman was awarded second base with one out instead of being called for the second out of the inning. She came around to score on a two-out single by Mihyia Davis, and Texas Tech has a 1-0 lead after the top of the fifth inning. Advertisement
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WCWS Game 1: Texas scores wild win over Texas Tech as Reese Atwood knocks in game-winning runs on failed intentional walk
Texas Tech was trying to intentionally walk Reese Atwood. But the Texas catcher had other ideas. Atwood swung at a 3-0 offering from NiJaree Canady that found the plate for a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning of Wednesday's Game 1 of the Women's College World Series. Advertisement The runs were the first of the game for Texas and ultimately secured a 2-1 win over Texas Tech. The Longhorns are now one win away from securing the program's first WCWS championship in the best-of-three series. Canady was in control of the game, having allowed a single Texas hit through 5 2/3 innings. But she allowed a pair of two-out Texas singles in the bottom of the sixth that put runners on second and third base after two steals. Then Atwood delivered with one of the more bizarre clutch hits that you'll ever see. The hit was the first of the WCWS for Atwood, who's been struggling in Oklahoma City on the heels of her All-SEC campaign. But she delivered Wednesday night when it mattered most to put the Longhorns on the cusp of a championship. "It was a close game, you got to take risks," Atwood told ESPN after the game. "On the first pitch, I thought I could have hit it. The next one she kind of slowed down on it. So I took my chance and I got it." Advertisement After Atwood's late hit, Texas starter Keagan Kavan finished the job with a scoreless top of the seventh to secure the 2-1 Texas win. The win for Kavan capped a sterling effort that was marred by only a single, controversial unearned Texas Tech run that threatened to give the Red Raiders a win before Atwood's late heroics. Controversial call almost delivered a Texas Tech win With the game locked in a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning, Texas Tech's Logan Halleman attempted to steal second base after reaching first on one of four Texas errors. Atwood delivered a perfect throw on the steal attempt, and shortstop shortstop Leighann Goode tagged Halleman out by at least two feet. The play wasn't close. Goode was clearly out. But Texas Tech challenged and was awarded an obstruction call upon review with umpires ruling that Goode's left foot was on the basepath. Halleman was awarded second base with one out instead of being called for the second out of the inning. She came around to score on a two-out single by Mihyia Davis, and Texas Tech has a 1-0 lead after the top of the fifth inning. Advertisement
