Odd play last night

[7in60]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I guess the question is --- if you didn't SEE it hit body or bat - but you otherwise KNOW it hit something, do YOU make the call?

Not within the Earth's gravitational pull. Doing 1 umpire SP games, often a ball that is hit in front of home plate changes direction. If I don't see it hit the batter, I credit topspin, call it fair emphatically and it's up to the defense to make a play. When the play is questioned, as opposed to argued, I tell them "it's just me tonight and I call what I see...or don't see".

I don't like making calls based on players' reactions because there are some good actors out there.