Comments?
 

I think he got it wrong.

I think he is a circus clown who needs a shave.

TH's get one right... "Bob Davidson has been known for, um, seeing things a bit differently than anyone else..."

Bad call.

I don't know how many times this season I have seen the PU keep a batter in the box after getting hit, but it is more than a few. Maybe they received some instruction on it. I was a bit more amazed at how he demonstrated the lean multiple times to Roenicke. It seems to go against the grain of what we see others doing.

I can't comment on the ejections since I don't know what was said.

I can say that I don't agree with Bob Davidson's judgment on this call. It is my opinion that he tends to be a little over officious.

I think he missed it but it shows how plays can look different from different angles -- so the next time a coach comes out to "discuss" a similar play in my game where I leave the batter at the plate, maybe the coach will be right. ;)

Yes, Bob, but how much weight are you going to take his opinion when deciding whether or not to change your opinion? :)

I assume that Bob meant that given the kicked call here, a coach may be correct in thinking we did the same. While we learn how to handle situations from video like this, coaches learn that even the best boot calls and how to respond. Roenicke was right to challenge it, but obviously crossed a line. BD has a history of creating spotlights where none need be. The expected call was ignored for a more demonstrative one.

Warning - change of subject! I have noticed that MLB umpires are being more assertive on calls this year. Consider the check/half swing and you see many more being rung up than in the past. Maybe another instruction from above?

I saw the same play called that way about a month ago. He did not try to get out of the way that is for sure. Not saying it is a good or bad call, just that the player allowed himself to get hit. I might have given him a pass on a fastball, but that looks close to me. And I can see why it was called that way.

Peace

No offense personally...

But this understanding is part of what's wrong with MLB, and it trickles down to our levels.

WHY is he right to challenge it. He might be right that the call was wrong... but what is the benefit from "challenging" it. I HATE this mentality. If the umpire's wrong ... then we MUST go yell at him about it. WHY?!?!?! At the highest levels all it does is waste time. At lower levels, it builds you an enemy that doesn't serve your purposes. I've never understood the assumption that anyone has a "right" or worse a "requirement" to go yell at the official.

I won't change the call, but rather than thinking "wtf is he out here for? that call was obvious" I might think "maybe he saw something else; i should remember to ask my partner."

At that level, to show his team and his players he is fighting for them and has their back when they think they've been wronged. Pretty basic stuff.

Why?

Kind of childish then, don't you think? These millionaires need to see this to get support from their coach? Pah-lease. Somehow football coaches and hockey coaches can manage to garner the support of their troops without running out onto the field stopping the game to yell at someone. Why is it accepted as the norm in baseball?

Because of the scruff... you can see it right there in the video...

Because baseball spends more time with these unwritten rules and traditions that other sports do not care about or does not matter. And this is why people here argue about what is a tradition they once did and unwilling to change. Just look at the umpires, we have guys that are worried about how the umpire explained the call as if that was totally unacceptable. That is why baseball holds onto stars that played 50 years ago and cannot believe that someone that just stopped playing could hit more home runs or were better athletes than some guy we never have seen much tape on. Because there are football coaches that would tell their players to be smart and to not worry about things that are happening to them, where as baseball coaches have to come out yelling or making it seem like they are yelling in order to foster the support of their players. It is a culture problem in baseball that does not seem to go away. And funny this is the least physical sport out of those and they seem to play the macho game a lot.

Peace

It might have to do with fact he prefers not to shave before he does a plate game to avoid skin irritation. I didn't see any clown makeup either, but then again my eyes aren't what they used to be.

As a coach, we are taught to teach the kids to do exactly what Morgan did to avoid injury. He took it on the shoulder blade. If he had "opened up" it could have hit his foearm or hand and broken a bone or it could have hit the bat and been a foul ball strike. Mr Davidson seems to enjoy injecting himself into the play of the game with balk calls that nobody else can see and calls like this. I don't understand why he still has a job at the MLB level.

The reason some of us are concerned over how many times he demonstrated the reason for the call is that it controverts what is being taught at the highest levels. BD showed the wing - in error no less - multiple times.

I have enjoyed coaching my son for the past couple seasons. During that time, umpires have kicked calls that hurt our chances to win. If you have to wonder why a baseball coach would contest a call then I suggest you try coaching at the youth level some time. While other professional sports have adopted replay, baseball has maintained tradition and not. While it may have not helped on calls like this, it has changed the way other games are called. Most of us know that if a coach asks a question, we will do our best to answer it. If they confront, we respond accordingly. It looks like Roenicke wanted an explanation and then became angry at BD's reaction to the bench baiting.

It was right for the manager to question the call. BD blew it and a number of us have agreed to that point. He is still a great umpire and can officiate rings around all of us. Millionaires or not, complacency exists in professional sports. Passion amongst managers is also involved in these highstakes contests. Roenicke may have also been told by the clubhouse replay guys that they were screwed on the call. He argued, crossed a line and was tossed. BD will have his call evaluated and may lose out on post season assignments if they add up. That's pro ball for ya'll.

Good thinking
 

I like that thought process. This play was an example of how an umpire can completely just blow a call, and in his mind, he probably thought he had it right until he went and watched it on video.

Thanks
David