USA vs. Japan game ends on LBR violation

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by softball_junky

I don't know I can't read the runner's mind.

Weak "excuse" for not making a call or not being able to determine intent.

[Mountaineer]

I went back and watched it again and I don't see it - she's clearly retreating to the base when the PU calls her out. Wrong call - period.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I went back and watched it again and I don't see it - she's clearly retreating to the base when the PU calls her out. Wrong call - period.

Instead of looking at when the PU made the call, look at when the ball was back in the circle. How long after that before the runner moved? I can imagine the reason for the delay in the call ("Did I just see what I saw????"). At least I can see me hesitating on the call...

[IRISHMAFIA]

Tom, I agree. I think part of the issue was the umpire's position. She was in a position that did not allow her to see both pitcher and runner at the same time. In her explanation to the coach, the umpire supposedly noted she looked at one then the other (pitcher and runner) and then again and made the call.

From our angle, and that of the cameras, we can all sit at our computer and judge, but none of us can say we would do anything different if it were us on the field. To do so would be very presumptuous.

[dtwsd]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Instead of looking at when the PU made the call, look at when the ball was back in the circle. How long after that before the runner moved? I can imagine the reason for the delay in the call ("Did I just see what I saw????"). At least I can see me hesitating on the call...

There was a replay of the game this weekend and I recorded it on my DVR. In watching the replays that ESPN showed, all of them were in slow motion. There was no "real time" replay to judge exactly how long Cat had the ball before the runner took her first step. I would like to have seen a replay at regular speed but from what I saw I believe (1) the PU was not in a good position to make the call and (2) was "probably" too quick on the triger. BU1 was in a much better position and didn't even put up the hammer until after PU started to.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

I went back and watched it again and I don't see it - she's clearly retreating to the base when the PU calls her out. Wrong call - period.

Clearly retreating WHEN the PU calls the out is irrelevant, don't you think? Aren't most baserunners past first base when you call the out? What matters is the umpire on the spot's perception of "immediately". I agree it was borderline, but I think one could make just as good an argument FOR this particular call as against it, and this thread could have been about how they missed an LBR in such a big game had she not called it.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Clearly retreating WHEN the PU calls the out is irrelevant, don't you think? Aren't most baserunners past first base when you call the out? What matters is the umpire on the spot's perception of "immediately". I agree it was borderline, but I think one could make just as good an argument FOR this particular call as against it, and this thread could have been about how they missed an LBR in such a big game had she not called it.

Yes, yes, yes, you are right about the word WHEN. I'm glad that as an official I'm not judged about the words I write. Still - after looking at it (yet again today) it's still a bad call. Ever been accused of making a call (or not making one) to hurry up and get the game over?

Hmmmm, I wonder if she was being paid off like Tim Donaghy?

[CecilOne]

There aren't enough in the world to make that funny!

[Rachel]

Larry:

Knowing Dora and knowing her professionalism and commitment to the game I am offended by the so called joke.

Just don't go there.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rachel

Larry:

Knowing Dora and knowing her professionalism and commitment to the game I am offended by the so called joke.

Just don't go there.

Rachel, it is a joke, plain and simple. Tasteless? Maybe, but whether you like it or not, he's allowed.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Hmmmm, I wonder if she was being paid off like Tim Donaghy?

Honestly, I'm already dreading how often we will hear this in softball, baseball, football this next year. I SURE don't need it from a fellow official. Bad taste.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Weak "excuse" for not making a call or not being able to determine intent.

All I am saying is I don't know why the runner is standing there and don't care. I do know the runner has a a time period when she is required to start moving.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by softball_junky

All I am saying is I don't know why the runner is standing there and don't care. I do know the runner has a a time period when she is required to start moving.

And that time period would be ...

My rule book says immediately. Many officials will give a silent count of "one thousand one..." but that is not cast in stone.

[Rachel]

I called a look back rule violation to end a state tournament several years ago. I saw it and I called it. Any umpire that calls a game should just call the game. I did not think "Wow this will end the game". No TV though, but I did get followed to my car.

Was anyone who posted here at the game? What happened off camera?

Originally Posted by bkbjones

And that time period would be ...

My rule book says immediately. Many officials will give a silent count of "one thousand one..." but that is not cast in stone.

My rule book says immediately as well. I beleave that leaves it up to the umpires judgment of what is immediately. For me, having a set peroid of time (around two seconds) gives each team the same chance to return or advance to a base. Once you call the dead ball, even if at that point the runner has started moving you have already made the call.