Teachable Tumpane's Toework During Pulled Foot Play

Tmac's first Teachable Moment of 2021 visits 1B Umpire John Tumpane's pulled foot vs out call in Game 7 of the 2020 American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. With Alex Bregman at the plate, Rays first baseman Ji-man Choi reached to field a throw from third baseman Joey Wendle, and in doing so stretched to try and keep his right foot in contact with first base as Bregman ran by.

For 1B Umpire John Tumpane, working his first career ALCS, this meant a quick adjustment from an expected out/safe timing call to a potential pulled foot situation, and the umpire dutifully shifted his focus to Choi's footwork to determine whether or not the fielder maintained contact with the bag.

In order to do this, Tumpane adjusted his position to form the keyhole angle (or wedge or view) required to best officiate this play and see potential separation (or daylight) between foot and base.

In this case, Tumpane confirmed that Choi had successfully keep his cleat in contact with the base and therefore ruled Bregman out, a called confirmed following Replay Review initiated by a Manager's Challenge.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Tumpane's feet focus helps the umpire get this play right in real-time (CCS)