Bizarre incident in a 2016 Atlantic League postseason game leads to confusion on and off the field in an adventure to find out what the actual rule is. Sugar Land manager was mic'd up for the broadcast.
In this situation, because the issue is a rule interpretation, the losing team should protest the game, and let the league figure out the proper rule interpretation.
The runner never interfered with the throw. The throw was made before runner got to bag. Runner also stayed on bag. Runner at first should be safe period.
Michael Heathman That’s part of the problem. I don’t even know what level of baseball this is, and different levels have different sets of rules. It’s been about 25 years since I umpired, so the new collision rules is an area I don’t have any experience with. But if the umpires don’t know the rule, they should have a copy with them. It would easily fit into the plate umpire’s ball bag. As I said in another comment, the team that loses the interpretation of the rule should protest the game, and let whatever league this is sort out the call. At least everyone acted civilly and respectfully to each other, so kudos to the umpire for his honesty, and to the players and coaches for their sportsmanship. That whole thing could have gotten ugly. While the umps should know the rules, unless an umpire is in one system (pro ball, NCAA), you have to be aware of the different sets of rules, depending on what game you are assigned. It can get confusing, hence the importance of someone in the crew having a copy with them. But things can happen to even the best. I once was watching a game (nationally broadcast) in the late 1980’s, when Pittsburgh was playing the Cubs, and both were contending for the division (this was before the leagues split into three divisions and added a Wild Card.) Jim Leyland was managing the Pirates, Don Zimmer the Cubs. And all four umpires somehow lost track of the count. (You cannot rely on the scoreboard). The crew knew they kicked it, and eventually they ruled in favor of the Cubs. Leyland was understandably furious, and he ranted for what seemed like 20 minutes. Since the crew knew they kicked it, they didn’t toss him.
Owen S. No, not good for them. Not only were they ALL completely wrong about what actually happened. None of them fucking knew what the rule was for which what they were wrong about. Fuck them
