USA vs. Japan game ends on LBR violation
 

Didn't see it, but kudos to the ump for not wimping out on the call.

Although, I'm sure they'll probably get mentioned in this post.

I saw the replay and although there was a pause it didn't appear to me that the runner waited too long before returning back to first. I'd like to see the replay again but at the time the ball got back into Cat's hand in the circle it appeared that a count of "a thousand one" may not have been finished before the runner's foot started back to first. I would love to see the replay again (I knew I should have recorded that game), but from what I have seen of it it appeared to be a judgment call that could have gone either way. Anyway as close as it appeared and being it was in a championship game I think the look-back out call might not have been the proper thing to do.

Did you hear the dumb remark from one of the announcers? She said the runner should have been given a warning and then if she didn't return to the base she should be called out....:eek: Nothin' like fun at the ole' ball park!

I thought it was a questionable call. When the ball was returned from the outfield after the fly ball catch to Cat, she was outside the circle and the runner was off the base. Cat seemed to give the runner a direct look, then stepped into the circle.
When she stepped back into the circle, the runner, who was only about two strides off the base, returned to first base. Maybe not lickety split, but she did return.

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/ivp/index?id=

On this ESPN video page under "The Latest". Scroll down about 2/3.

From looking at the replay, this is the wrong call. However if it were a LBR violation, then the umpire should make that call no matter what the game situation. Afterall if a ball is caught in flight in the first it is a out just as it is in the seventh.

I thought is was interesting that the call was made by the plate ump with her back towards F1.

Taped it and played it back several times .
This was very harsh no WRONG
As mentioned in a previous post when Kate got the ball she was outside the circle she looked at the runner , then stepped into the circle .
The runner was retreating then .
A very disappointing finish to the game .
But then there were several mistakes by the umps and the strike zone was not consistent on the outside ball .

Guess it just goes to show that none of us are perfect. There is no such thing as a bad call, some are just better then others. I have told people many times that the day I have a perfect game, is the day I'm going to retire. Haven't seen one or had one yet.

Glad someone else noticed that PU never saw whether or not Cat was in the circle. Guess PU was counting 1000-1001, then bang.

I thought the call was wrong, but then heck, I am not doing World Cup either.

At the time of the call, I thought it was a horrible call and I still do. The runner was moving back to the bag - heck, she was only a few steps away - she was going back.

Wrong call - period.

Is it possible that the fact the runner didn't actually TURN toward the base to return may have confused the issue?

What about that game you and I did last year in Portland?

Well, if you thought that game was perfect, Ed's opinion of your game obviously isn't the same as YOUR opinion of his. :D

Just kidding!!!

Umpire was too quick to make the call
 

As a high school and rec umpire I have to say this call simply was a bad call. I've watched it over and over and over. The baserunner WAS stepping back to the bag and was only two steps away when Cat was in the circle. I see this SAME thing happen every week of the various seasons I umpire. Never would I have called it unless the player was failing to move. I had players farther off the base and be stepping back to the bag and not called it.

Plus we always been told "Don't become part of the game", don't end the game on a "Controversial call", and don't become the "focus of the game".

This Ump sure became the "center of attention"! What a way to end and ruin a great series for the USA team.

If the umpire is easily confused. ;)