Brett Lawrie throws helmet at Miller

[SAump]

Laurie needs anger management counseling along w/ the four game suspension. We are not going to discuss balls and strikes. I have seen worse calls this year.

Hey batter, batter swing! Would not defend his actions if I could.

Placing the umpire above the game? Was there a previous incident or two to confirm the umpire's inappropriate behavior or did he happen to be the guy to trip over Laurie's helmet? Perhaps he shouldn't have been standing there.

[Jay R]

Lawrie was lucky the helmet didn't bounce higher and hit Miller in the face. I'd be curious to see if the suspension would have been longer if the two pitches had been in the strike zone.

[David B]

Loved reading the managers comments on ESPN how he went to great lengths to say that he doesn't think the umpire would make a call just because the player showed him up on the pitch before.

LOL - trying to keep from getting a fine or he just don't understand umpires at MLB level.

I do like what one of the ESPN guys said though, "if he doesn't respect the umpires, then he can't expect the umpire to respect him."

That's great commentary.

Thanks
David

[MD Longhorn]

4 games is a travesty. This is a felony in most states.

That said, while I have no problem with the FU call when warranted, I feel it was nowhere near warranted in this case.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I feel it was nowhere near warranted in this case.

Do you know the whole story? Not saying I do, but there might be more to it. If not, then I'd agree it's a little much.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

4 games is a travesty. This is a felony in most states.

That said, while I have no problem with the FU call when warranted, I feel it was nowhere near warranted in this case.

Pitch f/x says the pitch was borderline (although I think it would easily be called "high" in college/adult games I work locally).

I think it's a huge assumption that this was an FU call.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

...I think it's a huge assumption that this was an FU call.

Really? That was a FU call if I ever saw one! That pitch was going to be a strike no matter where it was (unless it bounced on the ground).

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

4 games is a travesty. This is a felony in most states.

That said, while I have no problem with the FU call when warranted, I feel it was nowhere near warranted in this case.

A felony for throwing a helmet on the ground? In what states would this be a felony? Remind me not to travel through them.

I think Miller would have called strike 3 even if the ball had been higher and farther outside than it already was. That wasn't even a Senior LL strike, which has to be the biggest zone out there.

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

That wasn't even a Senior LL strike, which has to be the biggest zone out there.

Jr LL is even bigger. For some, this is their first experience with a 60' 6" distance.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by nopachunts

Jr LL is even bigger. For some, this is their first experience with a 60' 6" distance.

Yeah, forgot about that monstrosity.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

A felony for throwing a helmet on the ground? In what states would this be a felony? Remind me not to travel through them.

I think Miller would have called strike 3 even if the ball had been higher and farther outside than it already was. That wasn't even a Senior LL strike, which has to be the biggest zone out there.

Yes, that's where he was throwing it ... the ground. OK.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Yes, that's where he was throwing it ... the ground. OK.

Okay then, in what state would throwing a helmet at an umpire be a felony? What's the charge? Assault with intent to make a boo-boo?

I am not excusing moron Lawrie for throwing the helmet folks, but the call was clearly sent as an FU, and was the catalyst for the tirade. Not an excuse for it, but the reason behind it.

If Miller would get a real strike zone, because according the sainted F/X charts, he misses a lot of pitches, it may help.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

A felony for throwing a helmet on the ground? In what states would this be a felony? Remind me not to travel through them.

I think Miller would have called strike 3 even if the ball had been higher and farther outside than it already was. That wasn't even a Senior LL strike, which has to be the biggest zone out there.

Did you actually see the Pitch F/X chart? Pitch 5 was clearly outside, but look at pitch 6. Doesn't look *that* high to me based on where MLB sets the strike zone and how they evaluate umpires.

[thumpferee]

Better Know An Umpire: Bill Miller

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

Did you actually see the Pitch F/X chart? Pitch 5 was clearly outside, but look at pitch 6. Doesn't look *that* high to me based on where MLB sets the strike zone and how they evaluate umpires.

No, I just saw the pitch from knowing what is and isn't a strike from many years of calling balls and strikes, many more balls and strikes than Miller has EVER called.