Marty Foster's call at 3rd base today

[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?