It's Not Just The Replacement NFL Refs, Folks..

[ABM]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-b...ll-mars-cardinals-victory-003924296--mlb.html

It only took eight innings for baseball's umpires to register the worst call of the postseason and the Atlanta Braves paid a big price for it in their 6-3 National League wild card loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

With one out in the eighth inning and runners on first and second, Atlanta's Andrelton Simmons hit a fly ball to left field. The ball dropped in between backpedaling shortstop Pete Kozma and left fielder Matt Holliday and it looked as if the Braves would have the bases loaded with one out to stage a rally from their three-run deficit. Left field umpire Sam Holbrook, however, made a delayed infield fly rule call, despite the ball landing at least 60 feet from the infield dirt. The call ruled Simmons out for the second out of the inning and an angry Turner Field crowd responded by showering the field with garbage.

Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez used the 18-minute delay that followed to put the game under protest. It's unlikely, however, that Major League Baseball will take any action because infield fly is strictly a judgment call and not subject to any appeal. There is no distance mentioned in the infield fly rule language and an umpire must only determine that an infielder could have caught the ball with an ordinary effort.

The catch, however, is that the umpire must make the decision early on, not when the ball is within feet of hitting the ground....

 

[Haakzilla]

...seems like a really bad call, hopefully the Braves win their protest!

 

[44Thrilla]

it was a horrible call, I loved how the Atlanta fans handled it too. it was fucking bs.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I used to umpire as a hobby and got as far as American Legion ball and had training with major league umpires. When it comes to calling the Infield Fly Rule, the first thing is to not make the call until the ball reaches it height for that reason- in case it's drifting too far into the outfield. The ump caled it too soon. That was very clearly not a proper call.

 

[RR7]

I used to umpire as a hobby and got as far as American Legion ball and had training with major league umpires. When it comes to calling the Infield Fly Rule, the first thing is to not make the call until the ball reaches it height for that reason- in case it's drifting too far into the outfield. The ump caled it too soon. That was very clearly not a proper call.

Uh, did you watch the play? He called it about a half second before it dropped. Too late. Basically, the instant the SS got under the ball finally, it was near him, he called it, ss moved, braves got screwed. Terrible terrible call. Also glad for the fan reaction. I know it's not the "right" thing to do, but fuck it.

 

[Natebishop3]

I've always liked the Braves..... but I think they would have lost that game regardless.

Sidenote: wtf is up with teams popping the bubbly after winning a wildcard game? There is only one time when it is acceptable, in my opinion, to break out the Champagne. If you win the whole fuckin thing, you can shower yourself in booze.

 

[ABM]

I've always liked the Braves..... but I think they would have lost that game regardless.

Sidenote: wtf is up with teams popping the bubbly after winning a wildcard game? There is only one time when it is acceptable, in my opinion, to break out the Champagne. If you win the whole fuckin thing, you can shower yourself in booze.

No kidding. It's almost like taking your parents' car out for a spin before you've actually gotten your license. Kinda fun, but rather illegitimate to say the least.

Oh, and a simple, 1-game playoff following a 162-game season? Really MLB??

 

[44Thrilla]

I love the one game playoff. It made the playoff race so much more entertaining

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Oh, and a simple, 1-game playoff following a 162-game season? Really MLB??

win the division

 

[44Thrilla]

win the division

yup, winning the division actually means something now

 

[bigbailes]

technically though it was the right call. It was a routine play for Kozma to make, he just didn't make. From talking to MLB umps in the past, the infield fly rule is one of the least understood and gets confusing because of it's name. According to them, an infield fly COULD be called on a ball at the warning track, if it's hit high enough.

 

[ABM]

win the division

Sure, one might say that. That said, the Braves were tied for the 4th best record in all of baseball. Sometimes, it sucks being in a tough division. For some strange reason, that reminds me of the Seahawks hosting the Saints (and beating them, I might add), while also having a losing record.

 

[Natebishop3]

Sure, one might say that. That said, the Braves were tied for the 4th best record in all of baseball. Sometimes, it sucks being in a tough division. For some strange reason, that reminds me of the Seahawks hosting the Saints (and beating them, I might add), while also having a losing record.

That's the ups and downs of the playoffs. Doesn't matter how many games you won during the regular season, just ask the Seattle Sonics of the 90s.

 

[ABM]

That's the ups and downs of the playoffs. Doesn't matter how many games you won during the regular season, just ask the Seattle Sonics of the 90s.

Sure, then let's just let the bottom level NBA playoff teams duke it out in 1-game series. Neat story.

 

[Natebishop3]

Sure, then let's just let the bottom level NBA playoff teams duke it out in 1-game series. Neat story.

Well, unfortunately that's just how the MLB is set up. NFL isn't much different. They have division winners and wild cards. I understand why the NFL has a shorter playoff, but I don't really understand why baseball does. If anything, they have the longest season so their playoffs probably shouldn't be one-gamers.