What Was He Thinking??

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by maven

Not sure where you see that, dash. He's signaling fair in every clip in this link.

Better view here. The one I looked at had a weak fair point (at about 1:10) and I couldn't see the right hand. I don't know if the right hand came up and confused U1 into thinking PU was calling it foul. In any event, it's not a good job by either PU, U1 or both.

[maven]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

In any event, it's not a good job by either PU, U1 or both.

No disputing that.

[DG]

Why do opposing coaches come out to argue on calls reversed when they know darn well the right call was made?

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by DG

Why do opposing coaches come out to argue on calls reversed when they know darn well the right call was made?

I wonder if it is to get IR and making these scenes is the way to do it. Then, when reviewed, no doubt and there is video to prove it. I don't know.

First, they want the umpires to make their calls and stick with it. Then, they want IR/group hugging to confirm/deny the call if it goes their way.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by DG

Why do opposing coaches come out to argue on calls reversed when they know darn well the right call was made?

Just cuz, I suppose. Gibson probably wanted clarification why U1 initially made a safe call. Either his runner was out if the ball was fair, or he should have returned home to bat if it was foul. The safe mechanic was totally wrong and Gibson wanted to let the umpires know that.

What I don't understand is that if U1 thought the ball was initially foul, why didn't he change his call to out when he checked with the PU? There was no reason, in my mind, to have the four-man group grope that lasted over a minute. What in the world did U1 need help with?

Oh, wait a minute. I just thought of something. Perhaps U1 is a softball umpire, and when he saw the PU put his right arm out, maybe he thought U1 was signalling catcher's obstruction (that's what softball rules call catcher's interference). So maybe that's why he signaled safe, since the penalty for catcher's obstruction is to award the batter first base.