Cardinals - Marlins game, batter interference.

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by Jerry
Carl and T:

I'm assuming you meant your comments to be sarcastic; so first I'll say, "Shame on you". Secondly, as much as I admire Carl and Tim for their knowledge and experience . . . I will vehemently defend my earlier position. Contrary to Cowboy Fan's allegation, I did read the entire Rule (6.06(c)including the Exception: and the italicized explanation. I was discussing why a professional umpire would elect to invoke one rule over another. The original question, if you recall, is "is there a difference between FED and OBR".

The excuse that Carl proposes (the umpires may only see this situation a couple times in their career)isn't logical. I'm sure U1 could just as easily have said, "Interference, Strike on the batter, R3 is out." Most MLB umpires have indeed officiated at lower levels; and have more than likely seen the situation more than once. After all, he was familiar with 6.06(c), wasn't he? Why would he not be familiar with 7.09 as well? You're certainly not suggesting he didn't know about the "Exception" either; are you?

If indeed you are suggesting that, then your sarcasm and criticism of my discussion would have to apply to him as well. Yes?

Jerry

Yes.

But: It was my fault for using "see" instead of "encounter." I wanted you to understand that amateur players don't always play in the best fashion. Consequently, amateur umpires encounter more strange plays more often than the professional. Major league umpires often huddle to get a strange play right. By the time they've decided what to do, the amateur game is in the next inning.

This is from MLB.com. It might change your mind:

Three batters after Rodriguez was hit, Carpenter attempted to sacrifice Mark Grudzielanek home from third base. On a pitch down and in, Carpenter tried to get out of the way, and he and Lo Duca got tangled up as Lo Duca tried to tag Grudzielanek. Initially, home-plate umpire Doug Eddings called Grudzielanek safe, but he then quickly called Carpenter out and sent Grudzielanek back to third on a batter interference call.

The Cards were irritated that their run was taken away, while the Marlins took issue with the interpretation of the rule. According to rule 7.08(g), it is the runner, not the batter, who should be called out on such a play.

Your comment about "sarcasm" is strange. I thought my post was quite calm and orderly.

The umpire calls "Strike!" and the batter says: "Hell, that was outside." The umpire says: "You think that was outside?"

Well, maybe you should let sleeping giants lie.