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.
Less than two weeks ago, I ranted about a blatantly terrible call made by the left field line umpire in the Yankees/Twins Division Series game where a fair ball (that bounced out of play and would have been ruled a ground rule double) was called foul. I ranted, but didn't present a solution.
Emily Barrett Fuentes: i think both teams can agree....fire these umps!Christopher Jae Gaines: Terrible calls. I feel bad for Angel fans.Sara Hughes: well...apparently you don't have to be on the base to be safe if you are a Yankee...you can just stand there like an idiot a foot off the base with your hands in your pocket and be safe. RIDICULOUS.Brianna Villines: can i be an ump?Jill Morrow Capote: Wondering how much the Yankees had to pay the umps to make those ridiculous calls!!! Unbelievable.Kelsey Weisenberger: Haha I love that I'm not even watching the game and I know that the umps are being jerks hahahaHeather Dilley: The umps are on the Yankee payroll.Emily Barrett Fuentes: yeah!!!!!!!!!!!! home run....oh wait the umps will prob disagree-------: That was bull****!! Bull ****ing ****!!!
The umpires in Major League Baseball seem to get worse and worse every year. I have never seen more plays called incorrectly than this year. Quite possibly the worst so calls so far came last night, one in the Yankees/Twins game in the 11th inning. Right field umpire (during the playoffs, they have six umps) Umpire Phil Cuzzi called a ground rule double a foul ball, when it was fair by a good 8 inches. I think the thing that upsets me the most is that they specifically bring in two extra umps in the postseason simply to get calls like this right. Phil Cuzzi failed, and probably cost the Twins the game. Full story here.
Cory Watilo
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