Close game-ending play in 19th inning of Braves/Pirates baseball game. Did the umpire get it right? You decide.

Normally when I mention Major League Baseball umpires on my blog, it's to rant about a bad call (like here and here). This time, however, the ump got one right. And this call was big, because it was the 19th inning (for those not familiar with baseball, games usally go for 9 innings unless there's a tie, and games can't end on a tie) and this play ended the game.

It's funny how, even when things are black and white, people still see all sorts of colors. It's pretty clear (based on the replay in the clip above starting at 2:08) that the tag was never applied (simple contact between players doesn't matter - the catcher has to touch the player with his glove or the ball directly). It's just about as close as a play can get, but umpire Jerry Meals made the right call because that contact wasn't made, yet he's getting tons of flak for it. I just don't understand how people don't see that the runner wasn't tagged.

Here's the clip from the Braves' broadcast, if you want to see it from some slightly different angles.

What do you think? Do you see what I see?

Comments

SAFE! bY A MILE!! He tagged him way before the plate.. on the knee.. How dissapointing!
I mean OUT! He was NOT safe at any angle... bad call.. bad bad call.
Agree, that was not such a succeseful call as I wanted...

Add a comment