I think everybody here respects you, Reb. Some might make rude comments, but they respect you. Just like the LSU/Ole Miss game when Archie had his broken arm . . . the Chinese Bandits helped him up when he got knocked down. The Bandits were nice and even Archie's momma, I think, wrote a letter thanking the Bandits for not trying to hurt Archie . . . that's respect.
It was not a bad call ... they actually got the call right, although I can't understand why it took so long to get it right. The slide rule only applies on a force play, rule 8.4. Obviously there was no force in this situation so the rule doesn't apply. However, they screwed up the call when the runner did a popup slide into Naccarata on a DP attempt ... that is clearly interference. Here is the rule about what happened at home plate: Collision Rule SECTION 7. The rules committee is concerned about unnecessary and violent collisions with the catcher at home plate, and with infielders at all bases. The intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid such collisions whenever possible. a. When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge: (1) Whether the collision by the runner was avoidable (could the runner have reached the base without colliding) or unavoidable (the runner’s path to the base was blocked) or (2) Whether the runner actually was attempting to reach the base (plate) or attempting to dislodge the ball from the fielder. PENALTY—If the runner, a) could have avoided the collision and reached the base, or b) attempted to dislodge the ball, the runner shall be declared out even if the fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball is dead and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. A.R. 1—If the fielder blocks the path of the base runner to the base (plate), the runner may make contact, slide into, or collide with a fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base or plate. A.R. 2—If the collision by the runner was flagrant, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the contest. The ball shall be declared dead. b. If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line clearly without possession of the ball, obstruction shall be called. The runner is safe and an immediate dead ball shall be called. A.R.—If the base runner collides flagrantly, the runner shall be declared safe on the obstruction, but will be ejected from the contest. The ball is dead.
Here is the slide rule: Force-Play-Slide Rule SECTION 4. The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of the defensive player. This is a safety as well as an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs. a. On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases. Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. (1) “On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground. (2) “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases. A.R.—If a runner goes into a base standing up and does not make contact or alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called. b. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner: (1) Makes a legal slide directly to the base, or (2) Is on the ground at the time of contact and the fielder moves directly down the line between the two bases to attempt a play. (3) Makes a legal slide and makes contact with a defensive player who is on or over, but not beyond, the base. A.R.—When the base runner slides beyond the base, but does not (1) make contact with, or (2) alter the play of the defensive player, interference shall not be called. c. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if: (1) The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder; (2) The runner uses a rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder; (3) The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position; (4) The runner goes beyond the base and either makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder; A.R.—”Beyond the base” means any part of the offensive player’s body makes contact with or alters the play of the fielder beyond the base. (5) The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg; (6) The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play. PENALTY for 1-6—(1) With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. (2) With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. (3) If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the contest. A.R.—If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases.
Perhaps Smoke should've made a bigger fuss when that happened, in that the whole staff could've gone out like the SC one did for their call.
I agree. Doubt it would have made a difference, but I would like to see Smoke get a little more fire in his belly. He's too laid back...
Well, I didn't think the runner put his arms in front of his chest. I think he brought them up and put a forearm to the face of the catcher. That makes it flagrant. Smoke had every right to be upset with the umps taking fifteen minutes to make a call. If they are going to consider a reversal, then do it damned quick or don't do it at all. Going to get an opinion from someone in the stands was just BS. Our pitcher got cold and out team was distracted by the delay, which was inexcuseable in a CWS game.
I didn't see it as a flagrant, but even if it was, the run still scores because Liuzza didn't have the ball. Ejecting the player would not have changed the outcome of the game. I agree about taking forever to make a call didn't help us...
