Triple-A call-up umpire John Tumpane had a whacker of an out call in Boston on Sunday, ruling Red Sox runner R3 Dustin Pedroia failed to beat Rays pitcher Alex Cobb's throw to catcher Jose Molina for the force out at home. Replays indicate Pedroia's lead foot glided over home plate without actually touching the dish; his trail foot only came into contact with the plate after Molina already fielded Cobb's throw. As the "Calls of the Call" video below demonstrates, more than one broadcaster had his doubts about the accuracy of Tumpane's call at first, but after consulting replay, all agreed Tumpane got the call right.
Meanwhile in Anaheim, it was 2B Umpire Tim Timmons who stuck with the play as Brandon Barnes' throw to second retired Angels catcher Hank Conger, whose foot Timmons ruled broke contact with the base as Astros shortstop Ronny Cedeno kept the tag on. [Video: Conger retired after long single]
Wish John would have been standing still on the play and either been at the point of the plate or 3rd base extended for the play....great call and good job with the duscussion with the manager
ReplyDeleteI don't think Tumps expected Cobb to do that whole bobbling exercise, so when he finally saw what was happening, he had committed to 1BLE and couldn't really get back to third base line extended that would have been optimal. Though he read steps -- more like read gallops -- all the way to the third baseline dirt/grass cutout, so looks like he knew exactly what angle he should have had and was trying to position adjust to the reverse view (180 degrees), though as we all know, when you have a runner barreling down from third base, there is really no chance of getting to third baseline before the tag play (whether force or body). Nonetheless, this is a big time play that will earn kudos.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of positioning (and I know that's what observers will always get you for, even if the call is 100% correct), that's a great call. Pedroia clearly missed home plate and although Im' not sure that's what Tumpane saw necessarily, it turned out to be absolutely right. Timmons meanwhile with an incredibly gutsy call at Angel Stadium. Scioscia coming out to argue probably just was trying to save face for Conger as that is a petty way to get out. Hey at least it wasn't Josh Hamilton from last night on the bases, who jogged around the bases on a one-out foul pop up, double play to end the game.
ReplyDeleteBTW, great new video guys. Calls of the Call, fantastic.
I agree. Tale of the tape here is that reverse third base angle or whatever they call it (the one looking straight up the 3B line from the right of home plate). This is the optimum angle to receive this play at the plate. Great education piece, this video!
ReplyDeletetoday there was some pitches and a close call at 1st in Longo's AB
ReplyDeletehttp://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26302673&query=%26game_pk%3D346932
I have no idea how Longoria was not ejected here. Not in the slightest.
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT call. Not as easy as it looks either, I imagine.
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