Did anybody see...

[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?

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Doesn't that create a tinny echo?

I had to read that twice...first time I thought it said TINY.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

I had to read that twice...first time I thought it said TINY.

You were not alone. I read it that way initially and laughed. I came back through the thread and read it a second time later and realized it said TINNY. I laughed even harder.

I am easily amused...