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So he's supposed to hop up and run towards second in about one second?Hes in the basepath either way end of discussion its time to move on.
So he's supposed to hop up and run towards second in about one second?Hes in the basepath either way end of discussion its time to move on.
So he's supposed to hop up and run towards second in about one second?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the call wasn't that he was in the base path as much as it was that he intentionally or unintentionally obstructed the runner, right?Hes in the base path by rule it was the correct call.
How many times has a third/second baseman thrown Papi out from right field on the shift? Part of the game.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the call wasn't that he was in the base path as much as it was that he intentionally or unintentionally obstructed the runner, right?
Craig easily could have run from third to home without making contact with Middlebrooks if he went with the most direct route to home. Thats where it's a tough pill to swallow, as Farrell said. Craig went into the area where contact could occur and wasn't able to leap over Middlebrooks back, as he was stumbling all over and actually put his hand on his back first.
Whatever,it's not going to change the call, but it's funny how it could have been avoided if Craig just ran the way most runners ran.
It also doesn't help when Joyce was asked about the baseline and he responded that Craig was right on the chalk. Ummmmm...
You don't make that call in that situation!!
If it's that close a call you don't END a WORLD SERIES game that way. That umpire should be working at a Dicks Sporting goods, not umpiring at the highest level.
Can't wait to here Francessa on the Fan talk about this one.
I wonder, can a runner just bump into a guy and be automatically awarded home?

the only one who looked like an 80 year old was Craig. He got up, went well within the 2nd base side of the baseline, and was the one who initiated contact on Middlebrooks's ass cheeks and back. Looking at it again, by the time Craig trips over him, his legs are flat on the ground, not even in contact with him.
You don't make that call in that situation!!
If it's that close a call you don't END a WORLD SERIES game that way. That umpire should be working at a Dicks Sporting goods, not umpiring at the highest level.
Can't wait to here Francessa on the Fan talk about this one.
And if they don't call it because of the "situation" how are the Cards feeling? It's the right call in any situation and can not be ignored..........

Then no complaining about a ticky tack call late in a UConn game that costs the Huskies this year.![]()

And if they don't call it because of the "situation" how are the Cards feeling? It's the right call in any situation and can not be ignored..........
The call was very questionable - hence the controversy. if it was obvious you make the call, but it wasn't - that's just a fact! I think the call was wrong, but I see how it was close.
You don't make that call, the game goes into extra innings and the outcome is settled by the players and that play is just a footnote.
Instead the game is ended on a very dubious call. It'd be wrong in a spring training game, it's ridiculous in a WS game.
It was the right call Middlebrooks certainly didnt make an effort to get out of the way he layed on the ground like an 80 year old just fell from a walker, it takes .05 seconds to get up, Salty was an idiot in the first place to throw that ball to 3rd like a previous poster stated.
I did write that I see how it was debatable!
Shoe on the other foot I feel the same way - like one of the Card players said (more or less - I don't have the transcript) we'll take it. The call was wrong.
IMO, if you think it's a clear call you're the one seeing through a prism.
By the way all of my answers here are strictly because of the "rule" of the call which makes it correct..........I certainly feel the Sox fans resistance to understand why it was called........I doubt I would be too happy!![]()
If I'm a slow as molasses runner, I look for a 3rd baseman to accidentally bump into on my way home.

The rule doesn't work that way. Once Middlebrooks didn't catch Salty's throw and wasn't in possession of the ball, he obstructed the runner. If Middlebrooks had caught the ball there would have been no obstruction.Salty had a play at 3rd and should have thrown the ball and a decent throw would have nailed the runner. Throws to 3rd are killing the Sox; the other being Breslow's throw.Letter of the law, it is the correct call. However, one can argue that Middlebrooks had made a play on the ball and was in the position he was because of it. His intention to get up and continue the play is a direct result of the play on the ball. If that is the case, obstruction can be waived if my understanding of the rule is correct.
Let's not forget the Sox were in that position because of a number of 50/50 managerial and player calls earlier in the game. I like Farrell and his explanation of why Workman went to the plate made sense but in hindsight, he should have let Napoli bat. However, he can't manage in hindsight. Similarly, Salty shouldn't have thrown that ball, he struggles making routine throws to 2nd. There were other plays last night too that put them in that position. In the end, the series is only 2-1 and this Sox team is nothing if not resilient. Let's see what tonight brings.
Nope, that would be interference and the runner would be called out.Yeah, this was my response to McCarver's explanation last night that intentional/unintentional doesn't matter. in that case, runners should just run into people and be awarded the next base.
Nope, that would be interference and the runner would be called out.
Interference after the ball is already by? What are they interfering with? Joe Torre was clear that the ball was no longer in play for the third baseman. If it was, then Middlebrooks would have every right to be there. It would not be obstruction if he could still possible make a play on the ball. It's a key part of the entire obstruction rule. So there is no interference. If the ball is by the fielder, run into him--but make it look good.
On the other hand, what if Middlebrooks were getting up to take a throw at third? Or what if he didn't know where the ball was and was scrambling for it himself? Say the ball hits Craig and rolls into the basepath? Does Middlebrooks have to wait for Craig to clear the area of the ball before attempting to make a play on it?
Crazy stuff.
As Harold Reynolds explained last night, when the fielder has attempted a play and no longer has the ball they MUST get out of the way. That's why players are taught that when caught in a run down, try to run into a guy who's in the basepath who just got rid of the ball. You'll almost always get the interference call if you take a relatively straight path to a base.
This explanation doesn't help at all, since Middlebrooks was on the ground and hadn't even gotten up yet to get out of the way.
So, again, I ask, when does the play on the ball end? Torre emphasized the play on the ball. If you dive to make a play on the ball, are you supposed to dematerialize or... what?