[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by mbyron

I was surprised at Greg Gibson's call at 2B last night. Replay showed that Biggio (Astro's F4) missed the tag on a Molina by at least 3 inches. LaRussa came out to argue, naturally, but apparently didn't ask Gibson to get help.

Biggio has been in the majors a long time and give him credit for "selling the call".

Another F4 might not have received the same result. Yes, Greg Gibson was out of position on the play but it is his call. It should have been an "expected call" but the way the play developed, the defense proved to you that is was not EXPECTED.

Therefore, since Gibson was out of position his experience and training tell him to "look for other evidence" to aid him.

The "Other Evidence" was Biggio selling the call. If you noticed Gibson's call came after Biggio showed him the ball and sold the call. Gibson then gave the emphatic OUT signal. I give Gibson credit because even though he was out of position, he did not panic, "weighed" the evidence as best he could and then SOLD the OUT call.

We know how volatile LaRussa can get, so Gibson by giving the emphatic out call, did not get a REAL argument from LaRussa.

IMO, we as amateurs learned a good lesson.

In umpiring many games it is a fact that we are going to be out of position during the course of the season. When we are out of position and the call is OURS to make, do what Gibson did. Do not panic, "weigh" the evidence (players expression/gestures) and then right or wrong SELL the call. Even if you are wrong, for the most part you will not get a heated argument as evidenced by LaRussa.



Pete Booth