Terrible call in the 9th...huge arguments for awhile

[Cubsmac]

Check the replay then, ok? Trust me, I know what I'm talking about here. He made a no catch signal, before anything else.

Im pretty sure that the safe signal was to indicate the batter did not make contact. The fist signal was to indicate a 3rd strike, but not that the batter was out. Had he said out, then that wouldve been that, but AJ heard no such thing and did the smart thing to run to first. Not a great call by the ump, but an even worse play by Josh Paul to assume the ump ruled it a catch. He shouldve simply tagged him out and then that wouldve been that. Id put more blame on Josh Paul then I would the home ump, and give credit to AJ for the heads up play to run to 1st.

 

[Illini]

Im pretty sure that the safe signal was to indicate the batter did not make contact. The fist signal was to indicate a 3rd strike, but not that the batter was out. Had he said out, then that wouldve been that, but AJ heard no such thing and did the smart thing to run to first. Not a great call by the ump, but an even worse play by Josh Paul to assume the ump ruled it a catch. He shouldve simply tagged him out and then that wouldve been that. Id put more blame on Josh Paul then I would the home ump, and give credit to AJ for the heads up play to run to 1st.

The safe signal was for "no catch". There is no signal for "no contact" like the ESPN guys were saying. They are wrong. That signal is instead called a strike. Everything else I agree with you.

 

[cutacrossshorty]

The safe signal was for "no catch". There is no signal for "no contact" like the ESPN guys were saying. They are wrong. That signal is instead called a strike. Everything else I agree with you.

That explanation isn't consistent with what went on with previous swinging third strikes. The ump made the same slashing signal on swinging third strikes where the ball clearly didn't hit the dirt (like belt high) on several occasions earlier in the game. So it certainly didn't mean "no catch".

 

[tchaser58]

If you watch Sportscenter, they replay some swinging strikeouts of the game that showed the umpire consistently making that same 'safe' signal before pumping his fist for the out. So it's obvious his 'safe' signal is really a signal indicating the batter has swung and missed. But on a swinging strikeout on Benjie Molina, the White Sox catcher digs the ball out of the dirt and then tags out Molina. Watching the replay, the ump makes his 'safe' signal but does NOT pump his fist for the out until AFTER the White Sox catcher tags Molina. So when you get right down to it, the ump screwed up.

 

[cincy_]

Isn't there a theory which says that when there is a dispute with many arguments/theories, its the SIMPLEST one that is correct?

The ump screwed up (and if I was his bookie, I wouldn't cash his ticket).

 

[arniesarmy]

How about this point. didn't Pierzynski take a couple of steps toward the Sox dugout immediately after the call? Wouldn't that constitute running out of the baseline? Just wondering as I have no rooting nor monetary interest in the game.

 

[GoHogsAR]

How about this point. didn't Pierzynski take a couple of steps toward the Sox dugout immediately after the call? Wouldn't that constitute running out of the baseline? Just wondering as I have no rooting nor monetary interest in the game.

You can walk all the back to the dugout but you are not "out" until you acutally enter the dugout. In the postgame interview, Pierzynski talked about a similar play happening to him last year. In that game, the opposing batter swung and missed, Pierzynski clearly dropped the ball, but for whatever reason didn't bother to tag the hitter. The hitter walked all the way back to the dugout, where his teammates must have been yelling for him to go to first, so he just walked out to first and was called safe.

 

[Illini]

That explanation isn't consistent with what went on with previous swinging third strikes. The ump made the same slashing signal on swinging third strikes where the ball clearly didn't hit the dirt (like belt high) on several occasions earlier in the game. So it certainly didn't mean "no catch".

If that is true, then this umpire is really a one-of-a-kind dipshit. He has a "no contact" signal? That just kills me, cause it's fucking hilarious. It's called a strike, retard! Watch the replay when he walks to the mound after AJ is safe at first. He makes the same "safe" signal, indicating no catch. Same signal as his "no contact" signal. No contact? That's classic.

 

[barman]

There is no rule mandating a runner "stay in the baseline". You can detour to the outfield if you wish.


What you cannot do is move 18" outside the baseline To Avoid a Tag.

 

[Illini]

There is no rule mandating a runner "stay in the baseline". You can detour to the outfield if you wish.


What you cannot do is move 18" outside the baseline To Avoid a Tag.

Very true that the runner makes his own baseline. He can run to the outfield fence if he wants. He cannot move more than 3 feet, or an arm's length, to avoid a tag, though.

 

[cutacrossshorty]

If that is true, then this umpire is really a one-of-a-kind dipshit. He has a "no contact" signal? That just kills me, cause it's fucking hilarious. It's called a strike, retard! Watch the replay when he walks to the mound after AJ is safe at first. He makes the same "safe" signal, indicating no catch. Same signal as his "no contact" signal. No contact? That's classic.

Are you calling me a retard? Or are you calling the umpire a retard?

If you are calling me a retard, are you disputing that he made a safe signal with his right hand on a swinging strike that was caught by the cather several feet off the ground? This happened multiple times during the game. Are you disputing that?

Call it whatever you want, but he made that signal on swinging third strikes that were caught cleanly by the catcher several times during the game.

 

[Illini]

Are you calling me a retard? Or are you calling the umpire a retard?

If you are calling me a retard, are you disputing that he made a safe signal with his right hand on a swinging strike that was caught by the cather several feet off the ground? This happened multiple times during the game. Are you disputing that?

Call it whatever you want, but he made that signal on swinging third strikes that were caught cleanly by the catcher several times during the game.

Not you, bro. The umpire.