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I think when you speak of the "expected" call, what you are really talking about is the team that made the quality play.
I generally refer to that as "benefit of doubt".
The team making the quality play will get the benefit of doubt. Let's take that runner stealing second where the throw beats him hands down, everyone sees him as out, including me....that's what is expected....until such time as he PROVES to me that he didn't get tagged. Now, when he throws that great hook slide and I am certain he didn't get tagged, I'll call him safe. It's no longer expected. The crowd also saw that great slide and possible missed tag---it's no longer "expected" that he'll be out. Of course, it's not the great slide that makes him safe, it's the fact that it was proven to me he didn't get tagged. I won't call him out just because the throw beat him by a mile, nor will I call him safe because of a great slide---but the quality of the play itself determines who will get that benefit of doubt.
Now let's take the reverse on the play, where the throw is high and F4 is chasing the runner with the tag hoping to touch his upper body before his feet reach the base. Not really a quality throw, agreed?? So, that runner is safe (expected) until F4 PROVES to me that he beat the runner with the tag. The runner will receive the benefit of doubt on this play due to the lack of quality of the throw.
That philosophy will also apply on bangers. Take the following plays that are so close to call you really can't tell..........
1) F6 goes deep in the whole and makes a great catch and throw to F3----banger!!!! He's out.
2) F6 is nonchalant as he picks up a slow roller while BR is busting his butt down the line---banger!!! He's safe.
Reward a quality play, and don't reward a non-quality play.
Of course, if I'm certain of safe or out, that's what called. This applies only to "benefit of doubt" on really close calls where I am not certain.
Potentially illegal play, such as obstruction or interference, is not quality play and should never receive the benefit of any doubt.
Just my opinion,
Freix
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