High school play mirrors the big leagues
 

I worked a HS varsity game last night between two top-10 ranked teams. In extra innings with the underdog visitor winning by a run, 2 outs and runners on 1B & 2B, the game ended on a force play at 2B made by F8.

It looked exactly like this play from a day earlier: Rays lose challenge | MLB.com

I called the runner out, too. Game over. On the way out, a handful of dads thanked us for our hard work, good eyes, and hustle. It was such a good call that in the parking lot, a lady (who was easily eligible for Social Security) told my partner and I that it was the worst G@da#n officiating she'd seen in her entire life, and she hopes we get fired after she writes a letter to the school board. I thanked her for attending the game and supporting the players. I'm still laughing about the collection of compliments.

Isn't this a fun avocation?

If it looked exactly like that play, then you blew the call, just like Chris Guccione did! :D

With 2 outs there is no excuse for a runner from 1st not beating a throw to 2nd from the outfield for the force unless they were a complete bone head. Coach should be having a little chat with his runner.

Anybody notice the blue bird trying to take off on the play? :)

I've had a few thunder-foooted runners that it could happen to. :)

As we walked off the field, Coach was more interested in having a chat with me than the runner (who tried a pop-up slide and may have made it if her foot had not been 4 inches above the bag when the ball came in). I let her say her piece and then asked her which element she thought I needed help on: I told her I clearly saw the ball, the runner, and the fielder's foot on the bag.

She told me she was just hoping for a second opinion, and left amicably when I told her we weren't just going to go shopping around for answers on a close, but otherwise unremarkable play.

I'm not rooting for anyone, but after that display of professionalism from a HS coach, I hope her team goes deep into the playoffs.

If you're going to believe the coaches and spectators who tell you that you did a great job, you better believe the ones that tell you that you sucked. You don't get to choose only those that favor you.

"She told me she was just hoping for a second opinion, and left amicably" :confused:

Ummm.. what in the wide world of sports are you referring to here?

She (home head coach) was respectful and professional, even when she strongly disagreed with my game-ending call. She was even honest about the fact that she was fishing around for us to change the call. I appreciated that display of mutual respect in a tough situation.

My sarcasm (in the original post about my opinion of the quality of my own calls) may have again gone undetected on a Internet board, but I'll let Esq clarify as needed.

Both of us were responding to esq, not you. :rolleyes:

More sarcasm ??

None intended on my last post, but it killed the thread nonetheless.

Hmmm. I didn't see anywhere where he believed or accepted anybody's comments.