Did anybody see...

[socalumps]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

LOL! No kidding, Willie. He sure did. But something just dosn't seem right. This guy also likes to check his indicator often. And he does use a regular hammer on a swinging strike. When was the last time you checked with your partner on a called swinging strike?

This is Kerwin Danley who was the same guy who was run into by a fielder while watching a foul ball in the ALCS.

Ouch! And not he just missed a HBP. Yeah, this guy is human, but too human for what someone in a group that some believe are the best in the world.

The best in the world are not human willie. What are they then??

But I agree...it looked like on slow mo instant replay that the ball hit Rollins Jersey!!

I would take his assignments!!! lol

[bkbjones]

Holy Sheepdip Batman! Must be a good reason why he worked MLB for something like 12 years before getting his first World Serious...

Like changing his mind on K3. I almost messed myself when I saw that. At least it was only on worldwide television -- and now available on the 'net.

Just think: if they started their positions so the crew chief, Tim Welke, was the best umpire, and Danley is second best, then that sixth game HP umpire must be one of our SP umps with a one-foot-long leash on his leg.

[whiskers_ump]

I agree with all that say it was terrible. Then later missed the HBP.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Yes, he is human and he is making mistakes like we all have. So are we, yet we routinely critique each other's interpretations or mechanics and occassional performance.

Just because this guy umpires in the major league does not exempt him from criticism. If anything, with his contract and financial demands, his performance should be scrutinized even more so. Do you think that if he watches the game he isn't going to critique his own work? Do you think he may not have already had a discussion with someone concerning last night's game?

We all know when we screw up and the better umpires work to insure that mistake does not occur again. I just hope Danley doesn't take the attitude that he made a mistake and it is no big deal. It should be a big deal, but to the umpire more than anyone else.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

Holy Sheepdip Batman! Must be a good reason why he worked MLB for something like 12 years before getting his first World Serious...

Like changing his mind on K3. I almost messed myself when I saw that. At least it was only on worldwide television -- and now available on the 'net.

Just think: if they started their positions so the crew chief, Tim Welke, was the best umpire, and Danley is second best, then that sixth game HP umpire must be one of our SP umps with a one-foot-long leash on his leg.

Not so. Tim Tschida would have the dish in Game 6, is a crew chief during the season, and has been to the Series before. For the postseason MLB sets the rotation so that a regular season crew chief would work the plate in Game 6 because it will always be an elimination game. And of course, the series crew chief would have the plate for a possible Game 7.

I know you were kidding around a little; just wanted to explain it to those who might not know.

You are on to something, though: With a crew of 6 the SP umpire you mentioned could get by with his mobility.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

Not so. Tim Tschida would have the dish in Game 6, is a crew chief during the season, and has been to the Series before. For the postseason MLB sets the rotation so that a regular season crew chief would work the plate in Game 6 because it will always be an elimination game. And of course, the series crew chief would have the plate for a possible Game 7.

I know you were kidding around a little; just wanted to explain it to those who might not know.

You are on to something, though: With a crew of 6 the SP umpire you mentioned could get by with his mobility.

The hardest working guy on a 6-man crew is usually whoever is working 2B provided the crew chief wants him to go out on fly balls to CF.

I was hoping we'd see a crew working the playoffs that included Gorman, Wendelstedt, DiMuro and Welke. Maybe sometime soon.

[SRW]

MLB's response to the strike/ball call.

Interesting to note in this article, tho: (bolded parts are my emphasis)

Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, said that Danley had ruled ball four before asking Culbreth for help.

"The clear action was that the umpire, Kerwin Danley, audibly said, 'Ball,'" Solomon said. "There was also a checked swing. In his effort to point down to first base and the first-base umpire, he made a confusing mechanical gesture with his arm. He admits that the mechanic he used was a little bit confusing."

Mike Port, MLB's vice president of umpiring, also acknowledged momentary confusion. Though Danley told Port he had verbally called a ball, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel never heard the "ball" call and briefly argued with Danley, while Myers looked in to ask what had happened.

"His intention was to go to first base for help on the half-swing, on a pitch that he had called a ball," Port said. "He just started off with the wrong signal or mechanic, and quickly tried to correct it by going to first."

And this is exactly why we give audible ball calls.

[IRISHMAFIA]

MLB's response to the strike/ball call.

Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, said that Danley had ruled ball four before asking Culbreth for help.

"The clear action was that the umpire, Kerwin Danley, audibly said, 'Ball,'" Solomon said. "There was also a checked swing. In his effort to point down to first base and the first-base umpire, he made a confusing mechanical gesture with his arm. He admits that the mechanic he used was a little bit confusing."

Rubbish. This explanation is weak, how can it be "clear" about something which is being explained as "confusing" The mechanic he used was the same as every other swinging strike during the game. Nothing was clear about anything in the scenario.

Mike Port, MLB's vice president of umpiring, also acknowledged momentary confusion. Though Danley told Port he had verbally called a ball, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel never heard the "ball" call and briefly argued with Danley, while Myers looked in to ask what had happened.

"His intention was to go to first base for help on the half-swing, on a pitch that he had called a ball," Port said. "He just started off with the wrong signal or mechanic, and quickly tried to correct it by going to first."

This explanation is much better, but I don't believe for a second that his "intention" was to go for help until he realized his error. Granted, this comment is for the ignorant (fans & media), but how many umpires do you know who wanted have accepted a simple, "brain fart, he said ball and gave a strike signal." And if it wasn't ball four, how many would have really noticed other than the pitcher, catcher and batter?

And this is exactly why we give audible ball calls.

Yep, but better timing may have helped

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by SRW

And this is exactly why we give audible ball calls.

And that, my friends, is why SRW wears a steel cup. If your balls were audible, you would too.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

And that, my friends, is why SRW wears a steel cup. If your balls were audible, you would too.

Doesn't that create a tinny echo?