Softball incident challenged

Press, 20 January 1981, Page 3

Softball incident challenged

Canterbury’s chief softball umpire, Mrs Joyce Phillips, has challenged the version published in yesterday’s edition of “The Press” of a controversial decision in the senior women’s match between Albion and Burnside on Saturday. The report said that an Albion base-runner was given out by Mrs Phillips (the plate umpire) for failing to retouch third base after a fly ball was caught at right field. The base umpire. Mr jjohn Eagar, subsequently I overruled Mrs Phillips without consultation, the report said. 1 During the play the run- 1 jner on third. Mihi Dewes. had come home and allowing the run to stand meant that Albion tied- up the game at 1-1. with only one regulation innings remaining. Albion went on to win, 2-1, in the tenth innings. 1

“In no way was John Eagar responsible for any call being altered,” said Mrs Phillips yesterday. Mrs, Phillips said that she had herself changed the decision, and given Dewes the benefit of the doubt about her possible "lead-off” from third base. “I was watching the high flyball to right field and by the time the catch was taken and I turned round after calling the batter out. the girl on third had gone.” After a request by Albion she did consult Mr Eagar, and found that he did not see the play. But Mrs Phillips ! decided that while she was! unsighted Dewes might well) have retouched third base.! Thus she ruled Dewes safe: and allowed the run. , ‘ “If anybody was at fault] about the way things hap-j pened, then it was me,” she! said.