Detroit @ Boston foul tip that wasn't call...

[CT1]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Did I miss someone asking why the heck the 1B umpire called a foul ball here?

I would rather the HPU look at the ball and see no dirt than have this happen. (not that that is a good policy, either).

In viewing the replay, you can see PU immediately look to U1 for help before making any call. PU got screened.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CT1

In viewing the replay, you can see PU immediately look to U1 for help before making any call. PU got screened.

Don't most umpires get screened on plays like this? You almost always have to get some help or some kind of confirmation from the base umpires in these situations. Or you hope the players act appropriately to help you make the call.

Peace

[jwwashburn]

Ok, but if i am the 1BU...there is no way I am calling anything other than the out that the HPU already called unless I am SURE of something else. The guy at 1B guessed.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

Ok, but if i am the 1BU...there is no way I am calling anything other than the out that the HPU already called unless I am SURE of something else. The guy at 1B guessed.

The HPU called something? It looked like he was totally confused. Not sure why the 1BU could not see this or just make a call. Then again maybe he was sleeping like a lot of us do when nothing is going on at the plate. But this is why you have to concentrate and be engaged in the game.

Peace

[jwwashburn]

The HPU put up his fist.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

The HPU put up his fist.

It looked more like he was going to call and out and realized that the play was tighter than he anticipated. In other words, his actions were more routine and realized he might want to get another opinion to get it right. Well his partners did him no favors and I would not care what he "kind of" signaled, I would have called what I clearly saw after he comes from behind home plate and looking confused.

Peace

[jwwashburn]

But the 1BU did NOT clearly see the ball hit the ground. He obviously had no call that he could make without guessing.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

The HPU put up his fist.

PU did not make a call. In that situation, if he had a catch, he would have emphatically and repeatedly signalled and called "That's a catch! That's a catch!"

In the post-game interview, Welke said he thought he saw dust come up from the ball hitting the ground, but admitted that he was wrong. The fact that F2 had to reglove the ball probably added to his perception -- he thought he saw what normally happens in that circumstance: that the ball hit the ground.