Galarraga's blown call

[PattheCatinSaudi]

There's a reason we have that phrase "That's baseball". Bad calls are a part of the game, just like bad hops in the infield, fly balls that hit off the outfielder's glove and go over the fence for a homer, and the old difference between National League strike zones and American League strike zones. To over rule the ump after the fact would be wrong.

But this is a great opportunity to institute a replay option for close plays like this.

 

[bamajake]

There are a couple of reasons that Selig didn't reverse the call. First, there is nothing in the rules to allow him to do so. This was not a rule interpretation, it was a judgment call. Nothing allows the commish to reverse judgment calls. A second reason is the problem of once a judgment call is reversed, where do you draw the line on when they can't be changed? In this case the next batter got out to end the game. Let's assume that the score was 1-0 instead of 3-0. What if the next batter had homered and the game ended up 2-1. Would the commish then decide that if the correct call had been made the Tigers would have won so the win should be taken from the Indians and the HR taken away from the player? The reality is that Selig could not afford to change the call.

Instant replay? You simply cannot use IR to review safe/out calls such as this because baseball is a game where there is continuing action. Again, let's look at a slightly different play. Assume the tying run was on second on this play and the ump called the batter/runner out at first as the runner from second rounded third and headed home. Replay shows that the batter/runner was safe. What do you do with the tying run? The defense will say he should go back to third because if the correct call had been made at first, they would have thrown home and gotten him out. The offense will say that he would have scored. Any suggestions as to how to deal with this?

 

[bama_fan01]

Having called some ball myself, I can appreciate how tough the call Joyce had is to make. No replay, no mulligans, do-overs, or second chances. I admire his candor in admitting he missed it. Now, one thing I noticed when I was watching it live on tv, he (Joyce) didnt get himself into the best position to see that play. He was up the 1B line near the outfield grass, he didn't give himself any angle. It is hard to get a good look at that type of play, where the runner is coming straight at you, as it messes with your depth perception. If he had been five to six feet toward second base, he'd have had a much better view and been more likely to have gotten the call correct. In umpiring it's all about position... oh and hustle... and knowing the rules... having thick skin helps... and it doesn't hurt to have some good common sense... well, you get the idea.

I agree with most of what you are saying, but I think he was in as good of position as he was going to get. I've always been taught that you're supposed to be 90 degrees to the throw. He was pretty close to that. I'm not sure if he blinked, had a brain cramp, or what, but I don't think being out of position is going to be the blame for this one. I think it's pur and simple human error.

 

[Jref]

So, what would you guys want Selig to do if the reverse had happened -- if Joyce called the runner out, but replay showed he was actually safe?

Now the game goes into the books as a perfect game, but everybody "knows" it really wasn't one.

And what do we do about the 2-1 pitch in the 3rd inning that was called a strike, but was actually a ball? Instead of a 3-1 count (and a possible walk), it went to 2-2.

Gallaraga will probably be remembered more now for his composure and class in the face of adversity than he would if the correct call had been made.