Call of the Month - July 2022

1B Umpire Pat Hoberg's safe call on Rays batter Roman Quinn's infield single in Kansas City, confirmed via Replay Review, is our Call of the Month for July 2022.

For Hoberg, Quinn's pushed bunt up the first base line leads to several potential scenarios, as Royals first baseman Nick Pratto dove to his right to field the batted ball, with pitcher Brady Singer and second baseman Whit Merrifield converging upon first base as Quinn ran toward the bag.

When Pratto tossed the ball to Merrifield, 1B Umpire Hoberg had to officiate what tmac describes as a "no sounder" play at first base—that is, one in which the umpire cannot listen for a sound of a thrown ball hitting the fielder's glove or mitt, because Merrifield didn't receive a hard throw, but a soft lob. Furthermore, the question of whether or not Merrifield was able to place his foot on first base before the batter-runner Quinn's arrival adds to the seemingly simple play's complexity.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Hoberg calls Quinn safe at first base on bunt single, a call confirmed via Replay (CCS)