and humans can get caught up in the moment of the game. They can get caught up in the celebrity of the pitcher or the batter. Batters like Ted Williams get the benefit of the doubt, pitchers like Nolan Ryan get the benefit of the doubt and yes there are more recent examples today in MLB and there are those players in softball today who get the benefit of the doubt. If I'm behind the plate with a pitcher like Tincher it's a moment of pride for me, same if I'm behind the plate with McMillan or Peck up to bat. If Chatfield takes pitch, it probably was a ball, she's that good an eye around the plate. Umps shouldn't be giving the benefit of the doubt or having pride in the moment - not supposed to be human - but we are. So it's not weird - that stuff you're talking about happens even in MLB and it has forever.