Strike two/Ball four
 

Braves vs Dodgers - 3 - 1 count - R1 stealing on pitch - Eric Cooper HP right hand comes up for strike two - R1 out at second - then Cooper calls pitch a ball for a walk. Cox ejected but Cooper obviously gave strike mechanic. Dodgers just hit a two run bomb - should have been solo shot - bases empty

Oops.

My question on this subject is what if a mistaken signal affects the action on the field. What if this play happens on a 1-2 count with 2 outs. Ump gives strike signal, ss sees it and thinks inning is over and does not apply the tag, but had plenty of time to do so. Then what?

Should the 2 base umpire still signal safe or out depending on how he sees the home plate umpires ball/strike call?

What if HP signals a 3rd strike at home for a 3rd out? Does 2B even make a call on the advancing runner?

The base umpire should continue to watch the play and note (to himself / herself) what the call would have been, but make no call / signal.

Just a question. If it was ball four then wouldn't the home run have been a 3 run bomb?

I asked because the 2nd base umpire (Chuck Meriwether I believe) clearly called the runner attempting to steal "out".
I think he may have been fooled by Eric Coopers signal as well.

According to Vin Scully the count was 3-2. It woud have been a strike 'em out throw 'em out situation. Cooper came up and signaled a swinging strike call. He must of said ball because Ethier dropped his bat and was removing his shin guard at the plate. Meriweather banged Furcal out stealing at 2B.

Cox came out to find out what was going on and Cooper ran him almost instantly. Ramirez struck out and then Blake hit a three run homer.

Cooper looked very frustrated at the end of the inning.

Cox was not run immediately. Looks like he was given plenty of leeway. Cooper walked away once and was getting ready to walk again when he dumped Cox. Right after the ejection, about 1:20 in the vid, you can see Cooper tell Cox something like " I told you what I did. I'm just being honest with you." From what I can gather, Cooper ate crow, admitted his mistake and Cox continued thus the ejection.

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | ATL@LAD: Cox is ejected for arguing with the ump - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

Like I always say, "as many times as Cox can get tossed, it's just not enough." He is just a miserable ole man.

Meriweather should not have made a call at all. Coop called timeout as the ball was in the air to second so the play was dead.

I believe the only thing Cooper did after the strike call was bring his hand back to his chest quickly like "I really hope nobody saw that strike call just then." (Having refereed basketball I'm familiar with this move having both done it and witnessed it on a foul/violation almost-call - fortunately we have a whistle to fall back on but it still doesn't look good). His hands may have started to go up when the ball was at second but by that time it's too late, Meriweather had turned to make the play.

the worst thing is Coop's timing was so fast. The pitch was a ball like he thought it was. Maybe that was Bruce Campbell's hand signaling strike.

That's not realistic. Meriweather's back was already turned when Cooper's feeble time signal went up. And when did the rule change that a walk killed play?

If the count was 3 and 2, then Cooper's strike signal was as weak as his Time signal. It's like he called it too fast, then mid-signal changed his mind, and didn't do a full punch out. The old "strike-ball" call. I've never done one. Whatever I call it, it stays that way, even when I know immediately that I screwed it up.

Oh, but now after watching the video, it was 3 and 1. Never mind.:rolleyes:

The pitch was right on the corner, or just off. It was very close and he should have left it a strike. Changing your mind is weak. Cooper has never impressed me all that much, speaking of which umps rank where. You are right that he called it too quickly. I haven't seen an arm shoot out that fast since Frank Pulli retired.

You are most certainly correct, it was a 3-run shot.

7.04 Each runner, other than the batter, may without liability to be put out, advance one base when (b) The batter's advance without liability to be put out forces the runner to vacate his base, .....

You are correct, the ball is not dead but he still gets 2nd without liability. If he would have overslidden, he could be tagged out. If there was an overthrow, he could advance further, (unless you consider Coopers weak timeout signal killed the play).

I think we all know this.

It seems that is what Cooper said.

[QUOTE=Ump153;619578]I think we all know this./QUOTE]

I'm sorry, I misunderstood your original post. My bad.