Softball collisions are, unfortunately, unavoidable.
Videos by FanBuzz
It's a fast-paced sport where girls are moving at a zillion miles an hour, the bases are just 60 feet apart and reaction times must be lightning quick. Too many times we've seen these collisions all over the field, from first base to home plate, and they're always scary.
After a nasty collision in an Alabama-Kentucky softball matchup over the weekend, one head coach is calling for a rule change to the sport to prevent it from happening again.
Alabama-Kentucky Scary Softball Collision
Scary, scary collision. Thankfully, both players walked away. pic.twitter.com/NuamzqERWb
— Rhiannon Potkey (@RPotkey) March 20, 2022
Thank God, Dallis Goodnight ( @dallissss_ ) and Taylor Ebbs ( @taylor_ebbs7 ) did NOT suffer a serious injury, after this brutal impact in @AlabamaSB vs. @UKsoftball pic.twitter.com/M6SZd6rfAs
— Antonio Garcia (@Iruk_WomenSport) March 21, 2022
In Alabama's 3-2 win over Kentucky on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Crimson Tide player Dallis Goodnight slapped a ground ball to third base. The throw across the diamond took Kentucky first baseman Taylor Ebbs up the foul line right into the path of Goodnight. Obstruction was called on Ebbs, a call which drew some controversy itself.
I just realized the umpire called obstruction.
Are fielders not able to attempt to catch the softball any more?
and yes, we need a safety bag- although honestly, I’m unsure it would have helped in this specific situation. pic.twitter.com/svPdl1lmst
— Jen Schroeder (@jen_schro) March 21, 2022
The two dangerously collided and Goodnight was slow to get up, clearly shaken by the play. Don't worry, she's OK. She tweeted after the game, "Thank You God."
However, Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy had some heated words for the NCAA after the play. He called for the use of a safety base, which is a base that goes on the outside part of the bag, so runners have their own base to step on. It's a common preventative measure in youth leagues and slow-pitch softball leagues.
Alabama Coach Calls on NCAA For Rule Change
Alabama softball coach @UACoachMurphy with a stern message to the NCAA following today’s collision between @dallissss_ and the UK first baseman: pic.twitter.com/nwWfnL5Xn8
— Brett Greenberg (@BrettGreenberg_) March 20, 2022
"There has got to be a safety base at first base in college softball. There are way too many season ending injuries, there could have been two today. It;'s absolutely ridiculous that NCAA softball can't mandate a safety base. It's in the Olympics, it's in high school ball everywhere across the country. It's a $300 safety investment for student athletes."
Murphy is absolutely correct. Why the NCAA hasn't mandated this yet is bonkers.
This collision could have been 100 times worse than it actually was, but that doesn't mean the organization shouldn't move quickly about this issue. Let's protect these girls.
