Illegally batted ball?
 

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Maybe. A little hard for me to tell from the video. And the guy that was standing three feet behind the plate who has responsibility for this call probably had an even worse view!

Watching the pitch would take your eyes away from the spot the foot was touching and the batter is probably blocking your view anyway.

I just thought it was cool that a team won a game 1-0 on a suicide squeeze, cooler yet than it was the Tribe and even cooler that they swept Boston. I couldn't watch the game yesterday, so was watching the STO replay this morning while getting ready for work. Had to stop brushing my teeth and walk to the living room when Cabrerra came to bat!

The last angle was the best angle to see this. It looks pretty obvious that he was out of the box, but the PU would not be able to see that very well based on his angle and the catcher blocking the view.

Peace

Illegally batted ball?

Apparently not. I checked the box score.

Very rarely called (or expected to be called) in MLB.

Not to mention the horrible base running by Boston to end the game.

Prescriptivist. :p

Man, PU blew the snot out of this call. :mad: He has a clear view of B's foot out of the box but he's looking up the line. The mechanic here is simple, once B has made contact, a quick glance down (don't have to dip your head) to check feet and the right call is made.

Pitiful. :rolleyes:

You have to be out of your f@*#ing mind to call that an illegally batted ball.

Exactly. The inside line of the box is obliterated -- the PU is supposed to be able to tell if the back of the heel is out of the box or not based on that quick look?

Quick glance down? Prove that the foot was ON THE GROUND and completely out of the box at the INSTANT contact with the ball was made. You simply can't do that.

If you go looking for this crap, you're failing at your #1 job -- tracking the pitch.

C'mon. Umpires are perfect. How can you possibly say this?

1) IMO probably a play on. Unless you clearly see his foot COMPLETELY outside the box....play on!

2) Would it be at all appropriate for a field umpire to help out on this call since he has a better view that PU?

No.

I understand why the ump may have missed the call (for all the reasons previously stated); but the line is not "obliterated". You can plainly see it in the different camera angles and the batter's heel (and his entire foot) is clearly outside the box when he makes contact with the ball. By rule it should have been called an out.

+1