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Today's Poll: You make the call: Out or Safe?

By Howard B. Owens
Steve Ognibene

He looks out from the beginning of the video, but as they zoom in closer towards the end of the replay it almost looks like he never touched him with the glove on his leg. Changing my call to safe.

Jul 28, 2011, 9:01am Permalink
Bernie Thompson

To me it looked as though he was out, but on the other hand I really don't care because I am a Proud Member of the Great Red Sox Nation--Enough Said!

Jul 28, 2011, 9:10am Permalink
Adam Riexinger

Thats a bang-bang play and when you look at the similar angle the umpire had you have to call him out on principle alone. It's no different when middle infielders turn double plays and they dont touch the bag but the runners are called out. However, being a Braves fan I was glad he was called safe.

Jul 28, 2011, 9:17am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

that's what I'm saying -- the first time I watch it, easy call, he's out. With each repeated watch, I'm like, gee, where did the catcher ever tag him? Maybe on the leg, but hard to say for sure and in one angle it looks like the catcher's glove could have easily missed the leg.

And, btw, the fact that this call is even controversial is largely the catcher's fault. He's out of position to take the throw ... too far forward from the plate and in a position where the only tag he can apply is a sweep, which is slower and riskier than getting in front of the plate.

Jul 28, 2011, 9:18am Permalink
Elizabeth Downie

To me, if you look at 1:06 through 1:11, it looks as if the mit does not touch the runner. The runner does a good job deflecting the mit from touching him, which is what is required to make an out. I say the runner is safe. I am not saying that what the runner did was fair, though, but it is all part of the game!

Jul 28, 2011, 9:43am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

The umpire said in review (and perhaps he's seen video from an angle we haven't seen) he sees the pants leg move as if it got brushed. I question whether that's a real reliable way to say the tag was made. Further, this explanation only further bolsters the idea that this isn't a cut-and-dried call. If that's the best the umpire can do in review ... that's pretty weak.

The only time you can possibly say the runner was possibly tagged was the sweep across the leg, and one angle makes it look (though not clearly) the tag was missed.

It doesn't matter by how much the ball beat the runner, it isn't an out until the tag is made. And it's not clear the tag was made. There's no such thing as out on "principle alone" (to quote Adam). Either the tag is made in time or it's not.

Also, the runner did touch the plate. As for his reaction, he would have thought he was out just merely from the throw getting there first, so you can't read too much into that.

Jul 28, 2011, 10:05am Permalink
matt riggi

lol.. he admitted he was wrong! twist however way you would like, the ump admitted he was wrong..Everyone knows he was out, including the runner. I think its funny people actually believe he was safe.

Jul 28, 2011, 10:12am Permalink
Jason Crater

He was tagged on the shin. The umpire admitted yesterday that he blew the call.

I'm glad I went to bed during the 15th inning of this game (lifelong Pirate fan) because I wouldn't have been able to sleep the rest of the night if I'd have seen this.

Oh well, life goes on. They lost again in extras last night. One more in Atlanta, and then 3 in Philly.

LET'S GO BUCS!

Jul 28, 2011, 10:47am Permalink
matt riggi

The call stands? So, theres not going to be an appeal two days after it happened? Jeez, i thought that was the whole point of this poll..i completely misunderstood! lol

Jul 28, 2011, 10:59am Permalink
Dave Olsen

Just received this e-mail: "Although I respect the opinions of the readers of the Batavian, I stand with my close friend, Dave Olsen in supporting the call on the field" Signed; Bud Selig.

Jul 28, 2011, 12:46pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

The real problem here is the poor play of the catcher.

1. He positions himself too far from home plate, presumably anticipating an easy tag out.

2. He has ample opportunity to tag the runner a second time after the sweep. Watch the video and tell me if we'd be talking about this today if the catcher had the sense to hook his glove arm in front of the runner's chest.

I think the catcher got him on the sweep, but it's hard to say. The umpire had time to make the call, it's not like it was a timing play at the plate.

I'll side with the folks who think it was a blown call. My take is that if the ump doesn't have a clear line of sight to the physical tag, he has to side with the defensive player due to the position and timing of the play.

I guess my point is the catcher could have saved us all this trouble by not being terrible, but baseball is a mental game and after 16 innings you have to expect a lapse or two.

Jul 28, 2011, 1:08pm Permalink
Jason Crater

I'll side with the folks who think it was a blown call. My take is that if the ump doesn't have a clear line of sight to the physical tag, he has to side with the defensive player due to the position and timing of the play.

-I think this is a pretty standard interpretation about how an umpire is supposed to make calls.

I guess my point is the catcher could have saved us all this trouble by not being terrible, but baseball is a mental game and after 16 innings you have to expect a lapse or two.

-In his defense...he's a career minor leaguer and he's the 6th catch on Pittsburgh's depth chart.

Jul 28, 2011, 2:13pm Permalink

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