Gotta Smile!

[blueump]

MLB yesterday. Tigers/Reds game. 0-0 tie in the 7th. 2 outs with 0-2 count on the batter.

Everyone, including HP umpire Marvin Hudson expects the big hanging curveball but are caught toally unprepared when a fastball cuts right down the middle of the plate. This was a sweet pitch, thigh high, right through the middle of the white. No doubt. The batter spins to head back to the dugout. The fielders start breaking for their own dugout. The pitcher is halfway to the foul line...but no call.

I love it when these guys show that they are human. Detroit's catcher actually started laughing it was so obvious. Hudson just stood there, without any expression (at least from what you could see behind his helmet and sunglasses). The batter eventually grounded out, but at least these guys can show once in a while that they are human too!

I've only umpired for 14 years, and I know that I miss calls. I hate doing it, but when the pros show that they can mess up too, and still have fun at the ball park, at least I know its still a game!