[chapmaja]

Sounds like some interesting plays and umpiring decisions in the Tiger's Sox game today.

One play I saw was a R1 on 1b, B2 hits a soft line drive to F4, who muffs the catch. Thinking the ball would be caught R1 stays on 1b. B2 thinking the ball would be caught is just jogging to 1b. When the ball drops the Tigers have an issue. R1 stays put and B2 still jogs towards first, which finally draws a throw from F4 to F3, who is standing on 1b when he catchers the ball. The umpire rules B2 out, and R1 safe at first. The broadcasters (and Boston's coach) were confused over this, but the rule is simple. Once f3 caught the throw with his foot on the base, the batter-runner is out and thus the force is removed on R1, who was still standing on the base. When the tag was applied to R1, he wasn't forced, and thus he was safe.

The other play, was a not caught ball that Boston, and even Detroit's radio announcers thought was a catch. This lead to an ejection for Boston managers. Apparently it was ruled that the release was not voluntary and intentional, and thus no catch had been made. This lead to a Detroit run or 2 later in the inning, and eventually a Detroit win.

I have not seen this play, but the crew chief apparently explained the call to the media post-game and said the umpire was correct in his decision.