Rule 7.08(a)(1) is ambiguous. It says, in part: "Any runner is out when - He runs more than three feet away from his baseline to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner's baseline is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach safely. . . ."
John Smallwood from Philly.com summed this one up best: Crew chief Sam Holbrook told a pool reporter, "Per MLB Baseball, we are not allowed to talk." Maybe "MLB Baseball" doesn't allow umpires to comment, but by the rules of Major League Baseball, that's a fib.
These umpires simply believe that Manuel, the players and the fans don't need to understand why that call was made the way it was. And frankly, that's the problem with this entire incident. It's not about a bad call costing the Phillies an important game. Not too long ago, the Phillies got a victory over the Florida Marlins because of a bad call. Human error is a part of baseball. We can accept that. What's not acceptable is umpire arrogance, and this is clearly an example of that.
Is it me or does it seem like the umpires this year have blown more really obvious calls than in the past? I can't find a video of this one yet, but the Astros runner was a mile outside the baseline and only established his "own baseline" when he saw Howard about to tag him. The home plate umpire had to have see this - but can't step in unless he's asked. So now the go-ahead run is safe on base
Its time for MLB to consider something... I can accept error as a part of the game, but theres never any budging - the only thing a manager accomplished by arguing a call is getting ejected from the game. Thoughts??? Is it time for replay for Safe/Out? time for a "challenge" system like the NFL? or should baseball be left to the eyes of the aging?
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