Lady Blues victory reversed by MIAA Commissioner

April 22, 2002

An apparent Washburn Lady Blues’ softball victory ruled by the MIAA’s Commissioner on Saturday afternoon following the first game of a doubleheader with Central Missouri State has been overturned by the conference office this morning leading to an appeal by the Washburn Athletic Department.

On Saturday, MIAA Commissioner Ralph McFillen awarded the 3-1 victory to the Lady Blues after the game had been called by field umpires in the top of the seventh inning with lightning in the area after the Jennies had tied the score 3-3 with two outs. However, because of Rule 6, Section 16 in the NCAA Softball Rule Book and a ruling by the conference office - the game was reverted back to the score at the sixth inning awarding the victory to the Lady Blues. Rule 6, Section 16 states:

“A regulation called game shall be declared by the plate umpire if, after five or more innings have been completed, he or she terminates play (for reasons such as lightning, darkness, rain, fire, panic or other causes that place the patrons or players in danger). The score shall be that of the last equal inning played.”

The decision by McFillen has been appealed by Washburn Athletic Director Loren Ferré and a hearing has been scheduled for next Monday morning.

McFillen has ruled the game is to be considered a “halted game” with play resuming in the seventh inning with the score tied 3-3 at 3 p.m. on April 30, when the Jennies return to Topeka for the second game of the doubleheader.

“We are disappointed with the decision,” Ferré said. “We played the game by the rules that are in the MIAA Policy Handbook and in the NCAA 2002 Softball Rules Handbook. To me it is pretty straight-forward, the game was completed and Washburn won.”

The decision reverts the Lady Blues record back to 43-8 and 13-1 in the MIAA. The Lady Blues travel to Emporia to take on Emporia State tomorrow at 3 p.m. The Lady Blues can clinch a tie for the MIAA Title with any combination of two wins or two Central Missouri losses. The Jennies play at Truman State tomorrow.