Did the umpires make the correct call?

[cookie]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

No, they wouldn't have scored R3 - R3 went back to third (if he hadn't, he likely would have been thrown out too). R2 kind of has to get placed back on 2nd by default.

That's one possible outcome of the umpire conference. However, I think R3 held up because he saw the umpire signal catch. Had the umpire signaled "no catch," he would have easily scored. The umpire error caused him to remain at 3rd...

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by cookie

I think R3 held up because he saw the umpire signal catch. Had the umpire signaled "no catch," he would have easily scored. The umpire error caused him to remain at 3rd...

Perhaps. Or perhaps R3 stayed at third to tag up, just in case. And given that R3 was Ryan Howard, I seriously doubt he would have "easily scored" as quickly as the ball was thrown in. It ain't like Ryan is the textbook definition of "blazing speed".

Regardless, this would clearly be a situation where the umpires would have to "play God" to decide what to do, which is the main reason why catch/no-catch is not currently subject to replay.

[johnnyg08]

Right now, full replay at the MLB level would not be better for the game