Odd play last night

[EsqUmp]

An umpire isn't required to use only sight. Sound and player reaction are relevant elements to use when making a call.

Most of us have had a swiped tag on a runner crossing a defender, who has an extended glove with the ball, and had difficulty determining whether the defender 100% tagged her. Using the player's reaction is often helpful.

Unbelievably, my plate umpire once ruled a ball fair and live after it struck a tree branch (totally in foul territory) down 3rd base because the ball fell fair. He took his eye off the ball to look at R3 (so he says). Even if he didn't see it, I don't know how he didn't hear it. What made it worse was that the branch was shaking despite the air being stagnant. Before all hell broke loose, we overturned the call and called it foul. Even I can see and hear that from 1st base.

For the skeptics, there were no squirrels or birds in the tree.