[blue1424]

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the 7th, Johnson Central hit a 2-run HR to eliminate Ashland 2-1. However, Ashland's coach argued the call saying that it bounced over the fence when clearly that was not the case. However, the umpire overruled the initial call that it was a home run and changed it to a ground rule double. Ashland then won the game 1-0.

Here is video from WYMT proving that Johnson Central won the game.

https://www.facebook.com/WYMTNews?fref=nf

It is extremely sad that Johnson Central was cheated in such a way at the state tournament and inexcusable by the KHSAA. Ashland gets to play on knowing that they don't deserve to be doing so.

[Pulp Fiction]

That call was BULL CRAP!!!!!

Julian Tackett should be ashamed that these ump's were selected!!!!!!

The video CLEARLY shows that it's a home run. Look at the players reactions.... they know it's a home run.

JC's head coach is my cousin... and I've known most of the JC players since they were in the pee-wee league. This is a SHAME. A PURE SHAME!

And you can quote me on this one. My name is Alex Green. I don't care if you "Re-Tweet" or pin it to your wall. THIS IS CRAZY!!!!

[Pulp Fiction]

This the JC home run in question. I got these screen shots from the video that Jamie McCracken from WYMT posted on Facebook.

The first pic shows the ball clearing the fence before it hits the ground the first time

[Image: https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...9174_n.jpg]

The second pic shows the Ashland players reaction and the ball on it's 2nd bounce. You can tell the player on the right didn't even make an effort to go after it because she knew IT WAS A HOME RUN! And in case your wondering, the Ashland player on the left sliding in to the fence is the reason the fence is moved.

[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/h...7038_n.jpg]


This is the best screen shot I can get of the ball clearing the fence. The ball IS IN THE AIR..... AND GOING OVER THE FENCE!!! The ball doesn't hit the ground until IT GOES OVER THE FENCE!!!! JC was cheated! I can't wait til football season.. The 2005 field goal was bad enough. But this takes things to a whole new level!!!!

[Image: https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...0385_n.jpg]

[blue1424]

You can tell from the video that all of the Ashland players, coaches, and fans knew that it was a home run and that their season was over. However, their coach still argued the play and they advance knowing they cheated Johnson Central out of a win. I have no ties at all to either team but this makes me so mad. I feel so bad for the Johnson Central players, especially the girl that hit the game winning home run.

[Diogenes]

Wow. No words.

There's cheated, and then there's THIS.

No words at all. I know Ashland's coach is doing whatever he can to win, but...I'd think it'd be tough to sleep at night with that on your conscience when every player standing out there saw it bounce behind the fence. Enjoy your ill-gotten win, Coach.

[Pulp Fiction]

You can tell from the video that all of the Ashland players, coaches, and fans knew that it was a home run and that their season was over. However, their coach still argued the play and they advance knowing they cheated Johnson Central out of a win. I have no ties at all to either team but this makes me so mad. I feel so bad for the Johnson Central players, especially the girl that hit the game winning home run.

Getting beat is part of playing sports. There will be a winner, and there will be a winner.

BUT GETTING CHEATED IS WRONG!!! Being cheated goes against everything sports represents. They should make Ashland vacate the win and send the umpires assigned to this game home.

[Pulp Fiction]

Wow. No words.

There's cheated, and then there's THIS.

No words at all. I know Ashland's coach is doing whatever he can to win, but...I'd think it'd be tough to sleep at night with that on your conscience when every player standing out there saw it bounce behind the fence. Enjoy your ill-gotten win, Coach.

Would you expect anything less from the good ole Ashland "On The Take" Tomcats.

[Pulp Fiction]

The first pic is of the Ashland outfielders... THEY KNEW IT WAS A HOME RUN!!! LOOK AT THEIR REACTIONS!!!

[Image: https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...6119_n.jpg]


The second pic is of the Ashland pitcher.... SHE KNEW IT WAS A HOME RUN!!!! LOOK AT HER REACTION!!!!

[Image: https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hpho...4115_n.jpg]

[walterwhite]

I've seen a lot in my day but this is the most obvious missed call of them all. CLEARLY a home run. Just wonder how far out the ump went to get a view. I feel so sorry for the Johnson Central girls, because when all is said and done that's who has been wronged and will have to remember it forever. Another fine example of the KHSAA at it's best.

[eagles2011]

Even if it wasn't a home run shouldn't the girl on fist scored two make it a tie game ?

[eagles2011]

How many outs were there ?

[Pulp Fiction]

And to make things worse...

Ashland beats Highlands 12-0 in 5 innings.

[Strikeout King]

This isn't the only game I've heard that the umps were bad in, I've heard that they were bad throughout the whole tournament so far.

It's a shame that grown men that are chosen to call high school games that high school kids play in want to cost them their games.

[Panther Thunder]

I would have done something incredibly stupid if I was a JC fan, so props to those that didn't do anything incredibly stupid.

[Pulp Fiction]

I would have done something incredibly stupid if I was a JC fan, so props to those that didn't do anything incredibly stupid.

JC's head coach my first cousinn
He has 2 good friends of mine on the staff. One is a teacher for the JC school system and one is a Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement Lieutenant. All three are great men.

But for real... something stupid like this would cause the most level headed person to doing something they might regret later.


Stupid stuff like this right here is why referee's/umpires get assaulted.... and cause players, coaches and fans to fight during and after the game.

[Greyhound]

Rachelle Fairchild hit a walk off home run and 14th region officials robbed her. Ashland is a really good team, but micailyn pierce pitche a heck of a game while the jc defense played their butts off. This is a travisty.

This is what happens when you play state tournament games on men's softball fields with temporary fences. These fields are a joke and the field along with inadequate officiating cost johnson central a possible deep run into the state tournament.

Khsaa ought to forget about governing middle school and try take care I what they got. Because they are struggling to do that.

[GOREDDEVILS]

Johnson Central got robbed, I just saw the video on wsaz channel 3. I will be rooting against Ashland hoping for a loss. Normally I pull for the 16th region but that was awful.

[Harry Rex Vonner]

A review of the video leaves no doubt that it was a home run. Johnson Central won the game. No one knows it better than Ashland. However, Ashland's entire athletic program has always had an attitude of win by any means possible. They have done it for years- particularly in home basketball games. So don't expect any sympathy or honesty from Ashland.

You would think that in this day and age that KHSAA would have something in place to avoid these disasters. KHSAA looks incompetent and impotent- which we all already knew was the case.

Which umpire made the call? Was it originally called a home run and changed? If so, what basis could possibly be used to change it? Was the change or the final call made only after the Ashland coach threw a fit? If so, that would be rather strange, wouldn't it? Did the fence play a part in the decision? It shouldn't have because it was knocked out of place by an Ashland player after the ball cleared the fence.

All in all, Johnson Central was deprived of a win that they obviously deserved. But, don't ever expect Ashland to budge one iota. The win, by hook or crook, is the bottom line for that school.

[EKY]

Athletics in todays age has completely fell apart, the officials aren't very well trained, most of the time they are biased by who they want to win. Sportsmanship has gone out the window, all that had to happen was one of those girls to step up to their coach and say, "no coach, we got beat, it was a homerun", but have they been taught to be honest, no, that doesn't happen today.

[108 Stitches]

Sad these young women had to have their season end on a bad, bad call! The Ashland Coach should be ashamed of him/herself! I am sure they would not like this if it was on the other foot! Great job Lady Eagles, hold your heads high!!!!!!

[Harry Rex Vonner]

Athletics in todays age has completely fell apart, the officials aren't very well trained, most of the time they are biased by who they want to win. Sportsmanship has gone out the window, all that had to happen was one of those girls to step up to their coach and say, "no coach, we got beat, it was a homerun", but have they been taught to be honest, no, that doesn't happen today.

Honesty? Don't hold your breath. For someone from Ashland, coach or player or official, to have stepped up and shown a degree of integrity was never going to happen. Never. The win was all that counted.

Johnson Central won the game. You know it. I know it. And, most of all, Ashland knows it even though they would never remotely admit it now.

Ashland isn't going to win the tournament. they aren't that good. Therefore, wouldn't it reflect well on them, their school, and their followers to be honest? But, as I said earlier, don't hold your breath. They have already moved on. Another moment for the cause of truth wasted.

[108 Stitches]

What a sad, sad, sad day for KHSAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a shame!!! You might expect something like this at a weekend round robin tournament, but at the High School State Tournament!!!! Mercy!!!!!! What has athletics in KY come too!!!!! Shameful!!!!!!

[PHSForever]

Rachelle Fairchild hit a walk off home run and 14th region officials robbed her. Ashland is a really good team, but micailyn pierce pitche a heck of a game while the jc defense played their butts off. This is a travisty.

This is what happens when you play state tournament games on men's softball fields with temporary fences. These fields are a joke and the field along with inadequate officiating cost johnson central a possible deep run into the state tournament.

Khsaa ought to forget about governing middle school and try take care I what they got. Because they are struggling to do that.

Let's be honest here. They're 14th region officials. Besides the 13th and 15th, no other regions officials (all sports) are complained about more. And deservedly so. Competency is an alien word for MOST of their officials.

[Eagle Eye]

Honesty? Don't hold your breath. For someone from Ashland, coach or player or official, to have stepped up and shown a degree of integrity was never going to happen. Never. The win was all that counted.

Johnson Central won the game. You know it. I know it. And, most of all, Ashland knows it even though they would never remotely admit it now.

Ashland isn't going to win the tournament. they aren't that good. Therefore, wouldn't it reflect well on them, their school, and their followers to be honest? But, as I said earlier, don't hold your breath. They have already moved on. Another moment for the cause of truth wasted.

Isn't it ironic with all the coach's honesty and integrity that he will be the new college head coach for Kentucky "Christian"?

[Skimps]

It was obviously a home run, but I heard they called it a ground rule double and THEN only awarded Fairchild first base. So the continuation of the game was Delong at third and Fairchild at first..? Can anyone inform me if that is correct or not?
I feel so awful for JC's girls having to end the season and some, their career on this terrible call.

[KyRock]

That call was BULL CRAP!!!!!

Julian Tackett should be ashamed that these ump's were selected!!!!!!

The video CLEARLY shows that it's a home run. Look at the players reactions.... they know it's a home run.

JC's head coach is my cousin... and I've known most of the JC players since they were in the pee-wee league. This is a SHAME. A PURE SHAME!

And you can quote me on this one. My name is Alex Green. I don't care if you "Re-Tweet" or pin it to your wall. THIS IS CRAZY!!!!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm would this be an excuse? I thought just the people from LC made excuses and complained about the Umps or Refs. I watched the replay and it is a horrible call and I really hate it for JC.

[kaylamoore]

Absolutely absurd that this was even a possibility.

Let's go back to the REAL problem here:

The KHSAA preaches to us about Title IX continuously and we are in violation if we play double headers where the girls aren't given the same amount of prime-time games as the boys (which is TRIVIAL in comparison to this)

YET our girls don't deserve the opportunity to play on a regulation women's softball field? Better yet -- the boys tournament is held at Whitaker Ballpark? Can someone please clarify how this is practicing the need for "equality" that is shoved down our throats season in and season out?

Fact of the matter is -- if this tournament were held at a regulation women's field, the fence would have never been a factor and the game would have ended the way it SHOULD HAVE.

The saddest thing is that this is the norm for our female athletes. How many regulation high school softball fields do you know of? They're either playing on these men's fields or little league fields... but baseball, bet your ass they have a nice stadium just. for. them.

I'm not trying to go feminist on everyone. But things like this are the reason we don't have to say "your sports are inferior, ladies." We SHOW it.

Clean your act up, KHSAA. Practice what you preach.

[Commanche]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm would this be an excuse? I thought just the people from LC made excuses and complained about the Umps or Refs. I watched the replay and it is a horrible call and I really hate it for JC.

You are an idiot pal. No place for this here.

[Strikeout King]

During the 7th inning of game 14 of the Worth/KHSAA State Softball Tournament (a consolation bracket elimination contest) a judgement call was made by the umpiring crew which in hindsight, and upon postgame review by the KHSAA staff, was in error. The situation occurred when Johnson Central’s Rachelle Fairchild hit an apparent game-winning home run, but following a brief conference, the crew of officials declared that the hit was a ground rule double instead of the game-winning home run.

“Following today’s game between Ashland Blazer and Johnson Central, KHSAA staff reviewed news footage of the at-bat which was ruled a ground rule double in the seventh inning. With the benefit of slow motion, high definition video, it is clear that the ball left the park on the fly, and a home run should have been ruled,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “Unfortunately, our umpires don’t have technical access to slow motion, high definition video during a contest (or any other type of video), nor are they permitted within the bylaws or playing rules to review these situations; and left to the judgement of the naked eye, they clearly erred.”

“While NFHS playing rules do not permit the review of video, I felt it important to make a determination so as to help identify areas of emphasis for training in the future, ” noted Darren Bilberry, KHSAA Assistant Commissioner with primary responsibility for softball. “Under both the NFHS playing rules, and KHSAA Bylaw 21, protests or appeals of judgement calls are not permitted once the contest has ended, and the judgement of the official, right or wrong, must prevail. On review, clearly the ball left the park, and a fielder attempting to make a play then displaced the fence afterwards. The fence was not a factor in the play, it was simply an error in judgement.”

“Assessments and evaluations of the officiating crews are made following each set of games at the state tournament, and the official’s involved in the Ashland Blazer-Johnson Central game were not retained to officiate additional games,” added Bilberry. “In reviewing the play in question, we felt that had they properly rotated per the NFHS three-person coverage, they would have been in better position to be able to accurately make the correct call.”

“At the amateur level, there is always an element of human judgement and performance, whether that’s a coach in his/her decision about playing time or strategy, player execution of game strategy and coach directives, or the judgement of an official. Interestingly, I had a conversation with a couple of individuals before leaving the park about a coach’s decision to pitch to a very good hitter earlier in the tournament in a situation that resulted in that player getting a game-winning hit. The human element simply can never be removed from amateur sports. We put a great deal of time, energy and resources into recruiting and training the independent contractors that serve as umpires and other officials, in an effort to help make them consistent and allow for their advancement and expansion of knowledge. In addition, our staff and hundreds of workers and volunteers devote countless hours and resources to making the participation experience optimum for all players, coaches, officials and fans. It is a shame that some of the participant’s memories of this unique experience may be permanently marred by this incident. We will continue to strive to help our officials improve to help the participation experience of the students, ” Tackett concluded.

http://khsaa.org/060614-statement-on-end...ball-game/

[zaga_fan]

I know that this was a bad call...
it was a horrible call that carried some tough repercussions...
but let's not kid ourselves.

No one cheated, no one purposefully robbed anyone...
Some guys screwed up because they weren't in the right position.

To say that THIS is the reason that refs get assaulted after games is a disgrace to all of us civil human beings.
Referees get assaulted after sporting events because the people that assault them are barbarian wastes that think they've got something to prove.