World Series Game 4 Discussion

[HoustonGM]

Well, wow. Terrible call there. Rollins was out by a mile.

The umpiring this series has been absolutely terrible. It's really pathetic.

[BINGLEBOP]

Sonnanstine should have went for the double play, and the inning would have been over, especially with Howard being a slow baserunner.

But agreed, horrible horrible call.

[OldFatGuy]

Well, wow. Terrible call there. Rollins was out by a mile.

The umpiring this series has been absolutely terrible. It's really pathetic.

Yep, worst I've seen in a series. And again, this is what will lead to the expansion of replay. And I'm tired of hearing "it's part of the game" because it's not. When a guy tags a guy out, he's supposed to be out. Those are the rules. THAT'S part of the game. If you have to use real live umpires, video replay, or friggin robots, it doesn't matter. The part of the game that counts is when you tag someone out, he's out. Period.

[OldFatGuy]

And now, if the call was made right, the inning is over with no runs. Instead it's at least 1-0 Phillies, and maybe even more. Absolutely pathetic. Especially when the replay was so clear. He tagged him, he was out. Only he wasn't. Truly pathetic.

[KowboyKoop]

The Phillies have gotten every possible break you can get this series. The completely ridiculous non-balk call on Hamels, a tornado-like wind (exaggeration) keeping Longoria's ball in the park....Iwamura just missing a HR in the first inning today...that completely ridiculous call at 3rd base......Jamie Moyer getting a gigantic strike zone.....everything is going the Phillies way so far.

[BINGLEBOP]

How far can a runner (like Rollins) go out of the baseline to avoid getting tagged?

[HoustonGM]

The Phillies have gotten every possible break you can get this series. The completely ridiculous non-balk call on Hamels, a tornado-like wind (exaggeration) keeping Longoria's ball in the park....Iwamura just missing a HR in the first inning today...that completely ridiculous call at 3rd base......Jamie Moyer getting a gigantic strike zone.....everything is going the Phillies way so far.

To be fair, there's been some pretty terrible calls that went in favor of Tampa as well. The umpiring has been terrible for both sides.

[OldFatGuy]

How far can a runner (like Rollins) go out of the baseline to avoid getting tagged?

From MLB Official rules, it's three feet.

7.08 Any runner is out when—

(1) He runs more than three feet away from his baseline to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s baseline is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach safely; or

(2) after touching first base, he leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base;
Rule 7.08(a)

Comment: Any runner after reaching first base who leaves the baseline heading for his dugout or his position believing that there is no further play, may be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases. Even though an out is called, the ball remains in play in regard to any other runner.
This rule also covers the following and similar plays: Less than two out, score tied last of ninth inning, runner on first, batter hits a ball out of park for winning run, the runner on first passes second and thinking the home run automatically wins the game, cuts across diamond toward his bench as batter-runner circles bases. In this case, the base runner would be called out “for abandoning his effort to touch the next base” and batter-runner permitted to continue around bases to make his home run valid. If there are two out, home run would not count (see Rule 7.12). This is not an appeal play.
PLAY. Runner believing he is called out on a tag at first or third base starts for the dugout and progresses a reasonable distance still indicating by his actions that he is out, shall be declared out for abandoning the bases.

[RedsoxRockies]

Wow, I wonder if this is fixed, or being bet on by umps....

[HoustonGM]

Wow, I wonder if this is fixed, or being bet on by umps....

The umpiring has progressively been getting worse it seems...and I think part of it, or maybe even most of it, is because they aren't held accountable.

[KowboyKoop]

To be fair, there's been some pretty terrible calls that went in favor of Tampa as well. The umpiring has been terrible for both sides.

That's true....I'm talking about more than just bad calls though. The Phillies have clearly been luckier so far. Nothing wrong with it, that's what happens in short series.

[RedsoxRockies]

The umpiring has progressively been getting worse it seems...and I think part of it, or maybe even most of it, is because they aren't held accountable.

I have never seen such bad umpiring over a short period of time though, jeez. Even Buck and McCarver have noticed it!!

[BINGLEBOP]

Sonnanstine sucks so far. He had a long rest, but Blanton had even more time off since his last start.

[Reade]

Another stupid McCarver saying, "He's not used to fielding a ground ball that close to first base"

Its a groundball no matter where its hit in the infield, you f*u*c*k*i*n*g idiot

[OldFatGuy]

WTF ???? WTF is up with the Rays second baseman???? He can't catch a friggin cold tonight !