Phillies/Marlins play at the plate, 5/23 game

Nobody likes to see it called because most people only focus on the tag and not where the runner's foot is. I have similar calls every second or third game. When I see it, I point and say right away, "under the tag, under the tag". Sometimes I'll say "high tag" if the fielder has a chance to place the proper tag but does so very high that the runner is easily there.

[Texas Aggie]

Not a baseball guy, but years ago in Referee mag, the editors responded to a coach's letter by supporting the idea of "ball beating the runner, call him out." This play seems to suggest that at the very least, this umpire doesn't go by that. Does anyone go by that, or is that philosophy a thing of the past?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Not a baseball guy, but years ago in Referee mag, the editors responded to a coach's letter by supporting the idea of "ball beating the runner, call him out." This play seems to suggest that at the very least, this umpire doesn't go by that. Does anyone go by that, or is that philosophy a thing of the past?

The philosophy exists as long as the fielder does what he's supposed to do. In other words, if F2 had laid his glove in front of the plate and R2 had *maybe* gotten a hand on the plate a microsecond before the actual tag, there'd be no debate here. But even in real time watching the game (I'm a Phillies fan), the runner was clearly safe, proving that Barajas is still a poor excuse for a Major League catcher.

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

The philosophy exists as long as the fielder does what he's supposed to do. In other words, if F2 had laid his glove in front of the plate and R2 had *maybe* gotten a hand on the plate a microsecond before the actual tag, there'd be no debate here. But even in real time watching the game (I'm a Phillies fan), the runner was clearly safe, proving that Barajas is still a poor excuse for a Major League catcher.

Looks like Barajas expected a collision and set up for that by forgot to 'close the door' (Keeping legs spread), letting the runner slide under the tag.

As Rich says, poor play for a HS let alomne MLB catcher.