[Matt]

Originally Posted by tballump

Did Jim Joyce actually call interference on the original play? It would seem that if he did, he would have immediately called interference and then time and then pointed at first base and called the batter runner out and then told each runner to go back to their original base. There would have been no need for the Milwaukee manager to come out and ask about the play or where the runners should be placed. Charlie might have come out but not Phil.

Or, did Jim Joyce not see the interference (hip action) because he was positioned on the 3rd base side of 2nd base, and when the Milwaukee manager inquired, he asked Fielding Culbreth if he had a better view, looking right down the basepath from the 2nd base side? Then interference was called and the runners called back.

This would be much like the old play (Yankes, Dodgers) from the dark ages on Reggie Jackson years ago, where Frank Pulli asked Joe Brinkman if Reggie intentionally stuck out his hip to deflect the ball or was he just off balance because of the play, since Joe had a clearer view right down the line whereas Pulli was back behind 1st base.

Anyway, in the post-game conference after the game, Charlie said Jimmy Williams told him to protest. Charlie asked him if he knew the rule about the placement of runners on the interference. Jimmy said no, so Charlie said he felt he should just leave well enough alone, since he didn't know either.

So, Jimmy Williams (who's older than dirt and a waiter at the last supper) would have protested just to protest, just to make himself look good to the Phillie fans and front office back home and try to cover his backside. He would have protested without ever going to the trouble to learn the rules himself (come on he's had since the last supper), so he would know when to protest and when not to protest. And you want to know why some poster's call them rats. Need I say more?

Tim_C Help us out here on the play, cause I am just guessing Jim Joyce is in your neck of the woods and is a darn good umpire or he would not be working the 5th and deciding game (if needed) on the plate. Maybe he'll get the WS also.

He called interference when it happened--he might not have been thinking of the other runners.