Quote:
Originally posted by WindyCityBlue
Read or listen to the Marsh interview.
He actually states why he signalled safe (he was screened) and he did it because the ball was on the ground, not because there was no tag.
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Are you referring to this 9 minute interview?
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/ne...news&fext=.jsp
If you are, then the above statement is simply a misrepresentation of Marsh's comments. He said that he didn't call interference because he was screened. He made no reference to a safe call, to a tag or non-tag, or to a ball on the ground. In fact the only way we can infer from his comments that he did make a safe call--although we know he did from the video--is his reference to calling Jeter out as a "reversal."
In my opinion, this interview does not instruct us in any way concerning the proper mechanic for a ball dropped during a tag attempt of a runner before he reaches first base.
{quote police mode off}
On a different note, I'm puzzled by the obstruction aspect of the play. Assume that Marsh's initial view of the play was correct, and the ball was dropped during the tag attempt. Then it is certainly arguable that A-Rod was obstructed by the second fielder in the base line. What should Marsh do? If he judges that obstruction occurred, then presumably he would point and call "That's obstruction!" If he judges that it is not obstruction, what action should he take? Announce "That's nothing?" Or make some other signal?