Guccione nailed it

[scarolinablue]

I had a similar sitch this year in a 4A first-round playoff game here in SC, and it provided me a lesson in slowing things down before rushing a call.

Bottom of the 8th, 1 out, R2, 2-2 count on the batter. F1 brings a high curveball, catcher raises up enough to mostly block my view of the check swing by the batter. In the heat of the moment, I reflex the "Did he go" to U2 who is in the "B". About the time the word "go" gets out of my mouth, I realize that I heard double contact (nick of the bat, ball into the glove) - like the OP sitch, didn't see it, but I heard it. About the time my man in "B" give the safe sign, I'm coming up waving it off and declaring the foul tip and punched the batter out. I know it looked terrible, but I know it was the right call, and had I just hesitated a second or two more, would have saved me the deserved "discussion" with the HC. He did accept my explanation after some discussion, and we moved on.

They ended up losing the game after giving up 7 in the top of the 9th. Major ignorant fan screams exiting the field (of the "you cost us the game" variety). I beat myself up for a week about the timing, or lack thereof, on the call. However, the team rebounded (each round of the playoffs here are double-elimination) and ended up winning the 4A state title in SC this season. The HC is a class guy and I was happy to see them win it all. And, I learned a lesson to keep things under control in the heat of a big game.

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

That was a bit more than "good timing" IMO. It seemed to take him a couple of seconds to realize what had happened. Not suprising, but it allowed F2 to make a big enough scene so when Guccione finally did make the call, it looked like he was persuaded into it by F2. Good call, decent sell, but delayed beyond what would be considered "good timing".

Girardi threw a big league tantrum not seen in Yankee Stadium for years. Welke came in from 3rd and said "Ok Joe, you've made your point." He sure did.

Frustration over on how the Yankees are playing.

Bob

[MajorDave]

C'mon guys. You know joe six-pack and his little Mrs. and the snotty youngun's love that cuss and kick dirt on the umpire stuff. To most people, and let's face it, we are NOT even close to thinking like most people, the show includes a couple of bean balls, a manager cussing the ump and getting dumped and if they are really lucky a dugout clearing brawl.

I have friends who are MiLB umpires. They spoke to my Sports Marketing Class I teach about how they are part of the marketing. They get briefed on how many minutes between innings, which inning the hot dog race will be so take a little longer, etc.


Unfortunately, to most of America, including the owners, employees other than players it is a side show and umpires are a big part of it, in pro ball.


My two cents.

[David B]

Originally Posted by umpjayfire

We spend a lot of time dissecting bad/questionable calls by the big boys on these boards...Well, this time it is kudos to Chris Guccione in the ninth inning of last nite's Yankees/Orioles game

If you have ever had this happen to you in a high level game, you know how difficult a call this is.

with 2 strikes on Giambi, the O's pitcher through a high and tight fastball that barely nicked the butt end of Giambi's bat and was caught by F2 for strike 3.
Guccione heard something, had to determine if the contact was bat or batter and after a few moments (fraction of seconds), determined it was bat and whacked him out.
the catcher heard it too and was pointing it out to Guccione, which made the call look indecisive so Girardi came out, acted like a fool and got dumped.

Just one of those calls that is difficult and Chris handled very well, I thought....

Watched this morning and in fast motion it did look like nothing happened, but as you stated, he heard something and it takes a good umpire to make that call, and he did.

Thanks
David