FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Two games to 1 after a 12 inning marathon that got it to game 4. Top of the ninth and a 2-2 game. The Angels have a runner at 3rd with 1 out. The pitcher is behind in the count throws a fastball and the pitch is missed.

Varitek runs down the runner who was coming home on a squeeze play. Varitek stumbles. A tag is made and then varitek hits the ground and the ball goes flying from his mit.

The Ump calls the runner out, and then maintains the call after the ball came out. There is no umpire conference to discuss it.

I've read many analogies to football about the ground can't call a fumble and possession with two feet then the ball coming out on the sideline so the tag is good.

MY RESPONSE - is two initials BS.

Fact is baseball as a continuation rule -- a player must make a "VOLUNTARY" move of the ball for there to be an out. 3 examples.

 An outfielder streaks through the outfield, lays out, and clearly snags the flyball ...BUT he hits the ground and THEN the ball comes out. It is a basehit.   Same scenario but player takes two full strides  (yes both feet down and control for you football analogy  enthusiasts) and then hits a wall.  The ball comes out.  It is a basehit (no out)

 How about the play at the plate. The cutoff man takes it throws it home and clearly beats the runner. The catcher has the ball, is set (no fumbling of ball; complete control) there is a collision, a tag is made. the cathcer still has it and then hits the ground and the ball comes out. The runner is safe.

 WHY. Because in baseball, there has to be a voluntary movement. So a 2nd baseman fields a double-play chance ball touches 2nd then drops it (IN THE EXCHANGE). The exchange is a voluntary movement so the out counts. But if he had dropped it before the exchange the runner would be safe.

 BUT Here with so much on the line the UMP blew it. It is not even a question. Anyone who knows baseball can tell you this (And I'm a Cubs fan so I could careless about who comes out of the AL).

 Then not even a conference. If this had been in NY or had happened to Boston. IT would be all over the papers, television. The market would be down, some moron in Congress would call for a congressional hearing on replay in baseball. But its the Angels so the sports world attitude is who cares.

WHAT A CROC.  Baseball should be embarrased. Who knows how taking a lead, the emotional blow that could cause (change momentum etc...) the game COULD have been different. Hell it could still have gone to Boston or we could have a game five in Anaheim. But Varitek fell and the ball came out BUT THE UMPs DROPPED THE BALL.