Swipe Tag @ 1st in the Mariners/BoSox game

[shickenbottom]

Anyone see the swipe tag call @ 1st in the Mariners - BoSox game on Sunday?
The camera angle shows a tag being applied, however, I couldn't see the positioning of the umpire to determine if he just blew it or was blocked on the play given that the throw originated at 3rd base? I know there was a runner comming in from 3rd, but the HP umps got to have some view, and why didn't the 1st base ump at least get some help or talk to someone else rather than just hold his ground. This occured 3 innings later and at least he got this one right.

[mbyron]

You answered your own question. If PU is covering home for R3 scoring, he's not watching a possible swipe at 1B. U1 gets the best angle he can, but there's no guarantee that he can get the best angle. With no help, you make the best call you can. Who's he going to talk to, U3, who's 130 feet away? U2, the only official on the field with a worse angle than his?

Now you're going to tell me baseball should have replay. Ugh.

[mattmets]

I was at the game, sitting in box seats down the right field line. In real time as it happened, it appeared that Varitek was tagged because he slowed down approaching the bag, indicating contact. However, Rick Reed was in position for a banger, not a tag on the outside of the bag, which is where the play happened. With PU taking the run scoring, he can't watch 1B.