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Here is an exact play from a Super Sectional (Final 16 teams) in Illinois a few years ago. The batter for the better seeded team hits a bomb, clearng the fence by more than a high school kid should. His team is celebrating, but we have a policy that keeps the teammates off the dirt until he touches home. He is beaming as he sees what awaits him and misses the dish by half of a foot - that's all, but enough that people could see it. At Nortwestern University's field (the game site), the fans are right on top of the action. Predictably, the umpire, fans and defensive team see him miss. They wait for him to enter the dugout amidst the revelry. Then...yep, they appeal and the home plate umpire (three man crew) calls him out. The run comes off the board and the place is up for grabs. You better believe that he took the heat for making the proper call on an unusual play. He wound up working the State Final that year and went back for his second trip this year. So much for stunting your advancement. He is consistently ranked as one of the top officials in this state and works multiple high school sports at the championship level.
My question - again not answered by anyone here - what do you do on the fence clearer and the batter/runner misses first base by a few inches/half a foot/full step? It is no less trivial to the outcome of the play, much less the game. While I can appreciate your contention that certain coaches demand the expected call, they only do this when it is their favor. These same men jump up and down about missed bags, tags and dropped baseballs. They want the 12-6 strike in the dirt when their ace is on the mound. They scream bloody murder about it when it is called on their .106 hitting batter. I submit that no matter which tact you choose, you ultimately have to sleep knowing that you called it fairly. That doesn't mean both ways, it suggests objectivity and respect for the game.
I was glad to see that my words have not lost their command. I appreciate your honesty and look forward to more exchanges. Who knows, maybe we'll agree completely some day.
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