Licking the bat before every pitch and other softball stuff, a breakdown

May 22, 2023 408.6K views 5:20

What Happened

In a close regional softball tournament game, the George Mason batter steps up to the plate down by one run in the seventh inning. Before taking her practice swing, she does something out of the ordinary - she licks her bat. Commentator notes this is an "odd" superstition, wondering if it will "help her out." The pitcher then delivers the 1-0 pitch, and the batter swings and misses. Undeterred, she steps out of the box, looks at her bat again, and gives it another big "licky licky" before stepping back in. However, the next two pitches result in a strikeout, and the unusual bat-licking ritual does not pay off this time. Later in the regional tournament, an Auburn batter is hit by a pitch on the forearm. She is clearly upset, telling the umpire "it hit me in my forearm right there." The replay shows the ball striking her arm hard, causing it to visibly vibrate. The next time she comes to bat, it's a 2-0 count with the bases loaded in a one-run game. Rather than take the favorable hitting opportunity, she tells the pitcher "hit me again" - and that's exactly what happens, as she is plunked once more. However, this time she gets her revenge, crushing a grand slam over the fence to put Auburn ahead. The action continues, as a Duke batter facing elimination fouls off pitch after pitch in an 0-2 count, staving off the Charlotte comeback. She eventually drives a double to the wall, tying the game. The next Duke batter then singles to give them the lead. However, the game goes to review on a close play at the plate, and the umpires controversially rule the runner safe, much to the bewilderment of the announcers. Elsewhere, a Long Island outfielder makes an incredible bare-handed catch after the ball bounces off the top of her head and shoulder, drawing excited reactions. A similar play happens in the Louisville-Indiana game, where the shortstop knocks the ball out of the second baseman's glove, only to catch it herself bare-handed. The second baseman is not amused, feeling she should get credit for the original catch. Through these varied softball moments, the video showcases the game's unique superstitions, intense rivalries, and athletic feats that captivate fans and onlookers alike.

Full Transcript

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over the weekend I let my screen

recorder run over some softball games

that are taking place it's the regional

tournaments and then I just went through

the footage and I just said let's see