HP Umpire Jeff Morrow ejected Angels LF Brennan Boesch for arguing a strike three call in the top of the 2nd inning of the Angels-Rockies game. With one out and one on, Boesch took a 2-2 pitch from Rockies pitcher Juan Nicasio for a called third strike. Replays indicate the pitch was located approximately belt high and over the outer edge of home plate; however the replay remains inconclusive due to the fact that pitch f/x is unavailable for Spring Training games, the call was irrecusable. Boesch previously argued the strike one pitch of the same at-bat. At the time of the ejection, the Rockies were leading, 2-1. The contest ultimately ended in a 4-4 tie, in 10 innings.
This is Jeff Morrow (-)'s 1st ejection of Spring Training and first ejection of his MLB ST career.
This is Crew Chief Jim Wolf's first ejection of 2014 MLB Spring Training.
This is the 2nd instant replay review of 2014 Spring Training.
This is the 1st player ejection of 2014 Spring Training.
Wrap:
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Colorado Rockies (Cactus League Spring Training), 3/15/14
Video:
Morrow dismisses Boesch for arguing a strikeout early in the Angels-Rockies game (LAA)
Link to video not working.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sick of spring training replay.....
ReplyDeleteDo you think it will be better during the season? I think you'll find the beginning of the season will have a lot of replays as well and the number will only decrease if the number upheld remains as high as they've been during spring training.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that the number of angles for spring training is much less than they'll get for the regular season. There have been a few replays, this one included, that I think could have been reversed had there been a closer or better-angle shot.
I think it will be a work in progress..... Remember the 1st time the NFL did replay it failed.... and the NHL's first replay system failed also in large part. I think when the regular season goes on as we get deeper and there's more of a microscope there should be transparency as to which umpire is not overturning calls that CLEARLY need to be overturned. There are such things as close plays that are definitive. I don't care how many angles there were hand on bag glove touches hand.
ReplyDeleteIf we get to the point there's a sunday night ESPN game (because remember it was ESPN who drove us to replay) and a call like this isn't made to be correct it will be all anyone talks about for a week which isn't good for baseball in general.
My biggest concern is that managers will handle replay like the nfl and wait for upwards of 40 seconds before coming out to challenge. And while I have a lot of problems with the system one is that it makes umpires not stand up for calls that they know they got right. After the 7th inning it should NOT be up to the umpires to go to review. It's not right and puts them in impossible spots. Give a manager two challenges and one more if it goes to extra innings. You'd be surprised how rarely umpires would get 6 calls wrong in a game. It NEVER happens. That would cover the system.
The game the other day where there were 3 challenges in the 8th and 9th innings was disgusting. And that will happen. Managers will be trained to come out of the dugout and ask for review. Part of it is gamesmanship. Notice how rarely the defensive manager has asked for a challenge. That will occur in the regular season also. Two guys were out by 1/2 a step yesterday after the 7th inning and both went to reply. I can't wait to see that happen to Joe West.
SO in summary it's part of baseball now, and it will be something I talk a lot about this season.
I think we'll find a lot of the 7th-9th inning reviews won't be done once the season begins. A lot of what they're doing now is simply getting practice at using the system. For those when the umpire is absolutely sure he got it right, there's no reason to do a replay.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I can say is that the reviews are going a lot quicker than I expected. Most of the clips are 3 minutes or less, which includes the play itself. Many of the reviews are being done in less than 2 minutes.
I hope this gets better!
ReplyDelete