Play-In Game Discussion Thread

[inkcil]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

LOL at the MLB Network "no spin zone." The Cardinals shortstop was never under the ball...it dropped a good 3-5 yards behind the furthest point he ever drifted out to. It would be different if the ball dropped right on the spot that he drifted back to(and then abandoned), but instead he abandoned the play in a moment of confusion with the LF.

Funny how HR thinks he can talk to a country of people who have been playing/watching baseball their whole loves like they don't know the most basic rules.

[msuduo]

While I understand the call I don't understand what took the Ump so long to call it...

[Sportsforever]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

Buster Olney mentioned this morning that since they started tracking IFR's 3 years ago, this one exceeded any IFR called by 47' (it was 225' from homeplate and the farthest had been 178').

I had to work yesterday and didn't get to see the game. It was a horrible call, but that isn't why Atlanta lost. It was typical Braves post-season baseball: bad defense, runners left on, throw in some bad luck and it's golf time. I'm used to this.

[daflyboys]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

I agree that the "judgment call" language needs to change. Most calls in baseball ARE a judgment call. As far as the timing of the umpire. If there's an opportunity to make that call, he needs to do it early enough to give the base runners the option to advance if they want to, especially if the call is going to be from that deep in the "infield".

Personally, I say do away with the judgment bull**** and make the edge of the dirt the determining factor. For cryin' out loud, this ain't the soccer offsides call.

[Cardot]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

It seems the ump also lost sight of why the rule is there in the first place. Which if I understand it correctly is to prevent a cheap double play...which clearly wasn't the case here. Bad call.

[Blzer]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

This is the actual rule so I can't really see how they can protest. No rule was broken.

One rule was broken: the outfield umpire made the call, not the infield umpire.

And here's an interesting hypothetical scenario... what if there was a time when they moved an outfielder in as a fifth infielder, and he's the only "infielder" who can potentially catch a pop-up with ordinary effort? Does the infield fly rule still apply, or is he still a "left fielder" by the lineup card alone?

[bonafied0034]

One rule was broken: the outfield umpire made the call, not the infield umpire.

And here's an interesting hypothetical scenario... what if there was a time when they moved an outfielder in as a fifth infielder, and he's the only "infielder" who can potentially catch a pop-up with ordinary effort? Does the infield fly rule still apply, or is he still a "left fielder" by the lineup card alone?

I believe I read that if he is playing in the infield, he will be treated as such and the rule would still apply.

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[Chaos81]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

One rule was broken: the outfield umpire made the call, not the infield umpire.

Where is this rule? All I see in the rulebook is "the umpire." Nothing about it having to be an infield umpire.

[Blzer]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

I believe I read that if he is playing in the infield, he will be treated as such and the rule would still apply.

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

Okay, but where's the "infield" threshold then? Playing on the dirt when the ball is put in play? If so, what about a shift where the 2B or SS is starting out in the grass? Are they no longer an "infielder"?

These things must be addressed in the rule book, because these are legitimate concerns which can occur.

They really have to revise the infield fly rule so that a play like this one would not be deemed an "infield fly," primarily because the baserunners were in an appropriate position where the IFR was not preventing a cheap double play from occurring. After all, that's the reason this rule is put in place. That being said, I think there should be more discretion involved and less "infielder this, ordinary effort that."

[Blzer]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

Where is this rule? All I see in the rulebook is "the umpire." Nothing about it having to be an infield umpire.

I don't think I can find it in the rule book, but a retired MLB umpire clarified this on the radio waves last night. I don't know what to make of that regarding the truth behind it, but it makes sense. If only an infielder can set the rule off, then only an infield umpire should be able to make this decision IMO.

[decga]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

Joe Torre ruling was that the infield fly rule could be applied at the umpire discretion. So umpire Sam Halbrook truly did cost the Braves an opportunity to do so damage at that particular point in the game.

[Chaos81]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

If only an infielder can set the rule off, then only an infield umpire should be able to make this decision IMO.

But if the rule can be applied in the outfield, shouldn't an outfield umpire be able to make the call? It's not like he doesn't know which player is the infielder, and in the case of last night, he was what, 75 feet closer to where the ball landed and the fielder was? Seems odd not to let him make the call because he wasn't in the infield when the play started.

[Blzer]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

But if the rule can be applied in the outfield, shouldn't an outfield umpire be able to make the call? It's not like he doesn't know which player is the infielder, and in the case of last night, he was what, 75 feet closer to where the ball landed and the fielder was? Seems odd not to let him make the call because he wasn't in the infield when the play started.

It also seems strange that a considerably shallow outfielder (with a ball falling in front of him and his momentum coming forward, mind you) can't be the object of the IFR taking place, should he let it drop in front of him. My only point about the umpire was that an infield fly should be called by an infield umpire, if only infielders can initiate the call.

I think we're ignoring the bigger issue that the rule in itself has too many flaws. It's supposed to protect the offense, yet no single baserunner could have been forced out in this situation, much less been doubled up. Not to mention how late the call was made, and Kozma was never truly under the ball's landing spot during the play. Essentially, this could be the new "flop" in baseball.

[Brandon13]

The 18 inning loss to the Astros was still more painful than this. But this is right there. Such a great season and a shame to end it like that.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Play-In Game Discussion Thread

Just another addition to my list of stupid sports ****.