Alabama Softball: Disappointment abounds as Tide loses on Umpire Call
By Ronald Evans
Alabama Softball lost on Monday and dropped a series to Ole Miss. A Tide home run was not allowed and fans are antsy, angry and sad.
There are some very good things about Oxford, MS. It is a charming town, redolent of the memory of one of America’s greatest writers, William Faulkner. And there is the Grove on football weekends. Hate the Rebels/Black Bears all you want, but their pre-game football party is classy.
None of those distinctions could soften the pain for the Alabama softball team on a Monday night in Oxford. The Tide lost a crucial game 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh.
The result happened in large part because in the third inning Bailey Hemphill hit a home run giving Alabama its third run and tying the game 3-3. Only that run was disallowed by the home plate umpire. The ensuing argument between was over whether Hemphill did or did not touch home plate.
The umpire won the argument and Tide ended the inning trailing 3-2.
Alabama softball needed that run – badly.
In the aftermath, twitter was sizzling with frustration, anger and sadness. Ole Miss is improved this season, but Alabama softball is not supposed to lose a key series to the Rebels/Black Bears.
Some fans have their confidence shaken in this season’s Alabama softball team. A few are even beginning to doubt Coach Murphy.
In Oxford tonight we suspect a few tears were shed. There is no shame in that. We can remember the irate Jimmy Duggan in the movie treasure A League of Their Own, exploding that no crying was allowed in baseball.
Later in the film, Jimmy learned a more restrained response to the misfortunes of his players. Alabama softball fans would do well to learn similar restraint.
Monday night a celebrating player failed to touch home plate. It may have cost her team the game. It is okay. We all make mistakes. The season is far from over. Patrick Murphy has not suddenly forgotten how to coach.
The Auburn Tigers are coming to Tuscaloosa this Friday for a three-game series. That should certainly be enough to get all our minds right.
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The weekend Auburn series is Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 7:00 PM and Sunday at 12:00 PM. Pack the Rhoades house and send those orange and blue clad ladies back down the road with three losses.