MLB play - could it be different in softball?

[AtlUmpSteve]

As long as all of this is opinion and speculation, here's my .02.

I believe I see a tag; and I think U2 saw it clearly enough. He asked for the review to dump this stinking sack on someone else. I also think it is clear enough for the review official to rule according (although I also agree with my good friend Irish that there are many times the angle is deceiving, but I believe I see the tag bounce back off the runner's butt).

The runner was never out of the established base path in attempting to avoid the fielder fielding the batted ball; red herring. Ignore all related to that argument.

Now, if you look again, the safe signal by U1 starts AFTER F3 throws the ball. There is NO WAY F2 saw the "safe", and no way jeopardy was created by the "safe" or reversal of the "safe". He saw his F3 apparently tag R3, but made no effort to tag R1, even though it looks like he had enough time. I am convinced he simply screwed the pooch and didn't realize there would be no force; or wasn't watching what F3 did until he threw the ball, simply assuming F3 would take the force at home on the play.

And F3 screwed the pooch even worse; he NEVER saw the "safe" behind him, if he KNOWS he made the tag, he's just steps away from the easier step on first than throwing home. He's the one defensive player that HAS TO KNOW there was no force at home anymore, so why throw there?

I think this was the correct ruling in this play; and the one that I think I would reason out, NOT put the runners back if/when getting together (the most a softball crew would have) put R1 out on reversal. It is the outcome I would have expected, based on what I see in the replay, if U1 signaled an out immediately; so no reason for the umpire crew to change that.