Why Wait

[Sal Giaco]

Pete does bring up a good point that West, who probably had the best view of the play, could have killed it immediately. However, the reality is at the MLB level, plays like that develop so fast and with the players continuing on with the play and 55,000+ fans screaming, I guess if there is any doubt, let the play continue and fix it afterwards if necessary.

One thing to remember is the media, players, managers & fans don't think the umpires look like "congressmen" out there when they discuss a call. Actually, they think that the umpires are doing the right thing. It is us (amateur umpires) who thinks it looks shaky because we've been trained for so long to get it right ourselves.

Bottom line - yes it would have looked better if West banged the interference right away (which would have eliminated the huddle session) but for one reason or another he didn't. So they did the next best thing and got the call it right in the end. Did they look bad doing it??? Maybe to some of the "umpire purists" on this board but to everyone else in the world (especially MLB officials) - they looked fine.