After a week and a half removed from the event and talking to players, coaches, and fans who actually witnessed the game, I can "tell the tale", and let the reader make his own opinion, as nothing can really be done about it.

 

The situation:

 

 

Wolfe County at Breathitt County. 6th inning. Wolfe led for most of the game, but Breathitt fought back, tying the game and eventually taking the lead. in the bottom of the sixth inning. They had runners on second and third with two outs and two strikes on the hitter. On the next pitch, the batter checked swinged (swung???????????), strike three. The home plate umpire raised his right arm, calling strike three. The catcher didnt handle the pitch very well, and dropped the ball. The batter, realizing the ball had been dropped, started to run to first base, but the Wolfe County catcher picked up the loose ball and put the tag on the runner. The same home plate umpire who called strike three then called the batter out on the tag. The Wolfe County players ran off the field and huddled on the first base line to talk. (This included the OUTFIELDERS, so as to give you referance to the time frame).

 

 

The home plate umpire, at that point. went to the huddle, broke it up, and told the players to return to the field, that he had called the check swing a foul tip, no strike three.

 

 

After a protest by the Wolfe County coach, play resumed, and, of course, the batter, who had really struck out, hit a gapper, driving in two runs, and effectivley ended the game. Most baseball players I know will produce when given four strikes.

 

 

I have described he above incident as accuratley as I can. The Wolfe County catcher swears the batter did NOT foul tip the ball. The batter tried to go to

first base after the check swing, indicating he KNEW he had thre strikes on him. There was NO appeal to the base umpire, to the umpire-in-chief made the call on his own.

 

 

I know there is no time frame on an umpire changing his call, other than when the next pitch is made, but this is rediculous.

 

The bad thing, is that there was really no recourse that the Wolfe County coach could do.

 

KHSAA informed him that there is no appeals process for high school baseball, but they would talk to the umpires to get more information. Big Deal!

N

After a week and a half removed from the event and talking to players, coaches, and fans who actually witnessed the game, I can "tell the tale", and let the reader make his own opinion, as nothing can really be done about it.

 

The situation:

 

 

Wolfe County at Breathitt County. 6th inning. Wolfe led for most of the game, but Breathitt fought back, tying the game and eventually taking the lead. in the bottom of the sixth inning. They had runners on second and third with two outs and two strikes on the hitter. On the next pitch, the batter checked swinged (swung???????????), strike three. The home plate umpire raised his right arm, calling strike three. The catcher didnt handle the pitch very well, and dropped the ball. The batter, realizing the ball had been dropped, started to run to first base, but the Wolfe County catcher picked up the loose ball and put the tag on the runner. The same home plate umpire who called strike three then called the batter out on the tag. The Wolfe County players ran off the field and huddled on the first base line to talk. (This included the OUTFIELDERS, so as to give you referance to the time frame).

 

 

The home plate umpire, at that point. went to the huddle, broke it up, and told the players to return to the field, that he had called the check swing a foul tip, no strike three.

 

 

After a protest by the Wolfe County coach, play resumed, and, of course, the batter, who had really struck out, hit a gapper, driving in two runs, and effectivley ended the game. Most baseball players I know will produce when given four strikes.

 

 

I have described he above incident as accuratley as I can. The Wolfe County catcher swears the batter did NOT foul tip the ball. The batter tried to go to

first base after the check swing, indicating he KNEW he had thre strikes on him. There was NO appeal to the base umpire, to the umpire-in-chief made the call on his own.

 

 

I know there is no time frame on an umpire changing his call, other than when the next pitch is made, but this is rediculous.

 

The bad thing, is that there was really no recourse that the Wolfe County coach could do.

 

KHSAA informed him that there is no appeals process for high school baseball, but they would talk to the umpires to get more information. Big Deal!

N

 

Judgement call on the umpire's part. He probably thinks he heard/saw a foul tip. Let it go. Only the better umpires will make the tournament- I would focus on making a better team for then. Bad breaks are part of the game.

The thing I don't understand is how can he call the runner out on the catchers tag if he thought the ball was fouled and dropped. It seems like the foul call was some sort of an after thought.

Welcome to Breathitt County brother!!!

That sounds like something you'd find happening in Louisa. :irked:

Crappy part of the game, but regular season games don't mean much. The lack of experienced quality officials is a problem in a lot of areas. Not saying the umpire was right or wrong, because I was not there and I know how fans are about their teams.

Bad call or not you need to let this game go... Its a sign of a good player coach etc. if you let these things go and roll off your back... Tough break but thats the amazing thing about baseball is there is always tommorrow.

Got to remember that coach of Breathitt used to be an umpire in this region for a long time before taking over as coach, and he also still referees with most of them too. So if he questioned that his player foul tipped the ball, they probably went with that without even thinking the play through.

I try to watch as many games as I can and it seems to me that many umpires are very inconsistent with calls in general especially balls and strikes. I like to see a good game where inside and outside corners are called along with knee to letters strikes. I guess that s still the strike zone, but you NEVER know that by the way a lot of umpires call the games now adays. Maybe they should have schools and make it mandatory to attend to be able to call games. As stated before I just wish that there could be a little more consistency in the GAME that we all love so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we are all forgetting the umpires are still human. They make mistakes just like me and you.. its a thankless job and mistakes are gonna happen... The quicker we get over those mistakes makes everything easier, because I can only think of of one guy that didnt make a mistake but he didn't umpire high school baseball

Also, not enough $ for the abuse they take.

I could see the story you told happening. The only thing I can't imagine is waiting that long to make a decision. If he felt it was a foul tip, that's fine, but what took him so long to come to that conclusion? Sounds pretty sketchy to me.

I try to watch as many games as I can and it seems to me that many umpires are very inconsistent with calls in general especially balls and strikes. I like to see a good game where inside and outside corners are called along with knee to letters strikes. I guess that s still the strike zone, but you NEVER know that by the way a lot of umpires call the games now adays. Maybe they should have schools and make it mandatory to attend to be able to call games. As stated before I just wish that there could be a little more consistency in the GAME that we all love so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I've seen a pretty big drop off of quality umpires over the years. JMO.

The poor guy made a mistake ya maybe schetchy but man he made a mistake... how would you like it if people came to your job and you made a mistake and they posted it on the internet. He made a mistake I feel bad for the guy.. Yes he blew the call but mistakes happen let it go.. be the bigger man and walk away and let it go.. Baseball is a great game but it is just that a game!

Blowing an occasional call is human nature. But waiting that long to change your mind to blow the call is fishy.