Marty Foster's call at 3rd base today

[w_sohl]

I may have called him out I may have called him safe. If I would have called him out, after seeing the replay, I would have eaten my crow and admitted I blew the call. Jeter was safe, Hirsh missed it. Happens.

I just don't get this "expected call" and "neighborhood play" crap. Don't get me wrong, if that is what my boss wants, that is what I'll do, but if a guy is safe/out he is safe/out. I can explain to a coach that the runner got his hand in before the tag was applied. I can't tell him that the throw beat him so he is out and then expect a coach not to question every single call I make after that point. I know a coach is going to questions calls, but an explanation like that invites a questions every time and eventually a shat storm. If I tell him the throw beat him now he is going to expect an out on every throw that beats the runner, whether force or not even if it is obvious the runner is safe.

Why throw fuel on the fire of the perceived incompetences of our fraternity? Especially at the D1 and Pro levels with all the replays they have. This just adds more ammo to the morons that want everything called electronically and to take out the human element of the game.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by w_sohl

I just don't get this "expected call" and "neighborhood play" crap. Don't get me wrong, if that is what my boss wants, that is what I'll do, but if a guy is safe/out he is safe/out.

I was taught (by professional umpires) that if a fielder has a tag down waiting for the runner, and he does not drop the ball, that the runner is out when he slides in. The umpire bosses want it that way, the coaches want it that way. Except when it goes against their team, of course.

[ozzy6900]

Why didn't Marty just say "Derek, to me it looked like he tagged you so go sit down!". That would have ended the whole thing. Wrong call? Maybe, but there is no IR on safe/out calls - yet!

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Why didn't Marty just say "Derek, to me it looked like he tagged you so go sit down!". That would have ended the whole thing. Wrong call? Maybe, but there is no IR on safe/out calls - yet!

Yep. Marty's only mistake was a bad choice of words.

[jicecone]

Out all the way, period.

I agree Ozzy, "Ball was there and in my opinion, the tag was made."

Jeter may have fooled him at the last minute by pulling his hand back but I would have still called him out also. In fact, he probably would of had to throw out the Toronto skipper if he didn't call him out.

[voiceoflg]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Yep. Marty's only mistake was a bad choice of words.

Did Foster say that? Every account I can find goes like this:

"He didn't tag me," Jeter told Foster.

"He didn't have to," Foster said, according to Jeter. "The ball beat you."

I think there is a possibility Jeter made up the conversation to deflect. Is there an account from Foster himself?