bleacher_bum

​You kidding? He's the president, he can't be wrong. Least I've never seen one that was...

Nope

"Within the Spirit of the Rules" I see this quoted on this site literally hundreds of times. It's the reason a lot would get the strike (as described in the OP). I agree a protest would have merit (I'd take my chances as it's described in the OP). These loop-holes or grey areas or whatever you want to call them are the reason that there are interpretations and case books that seem to be the only "authoritative" means of calling a game within the spirit of the rules. Very interesting situation though.

Don't you ever believe that statement! SJA :-( I know. But I guess what is felt is a sense of appreciation, which lends itself to empathy.

IMO, they will try and try and try to keep the umpires a "volunteer" group at the LLWS. It's their saving grace. As crappy as some of the calls were this year, (there were some really good umpires there too). But when you have that "volunteer", no one seems to want to get angry at them. LL knows this, and they USE this. They're all "Volunteers" , they say. Blow any call you want, and no one will get angry....Thanks for "volunteering". It really is hard to be angry or upset at a bad call, just with the fact that they do volunteer their time and pay their way there. Most people here are critical of them, because most people here knows what it takes to become a good umpire.

When in doubt...get the out.

And a "GREEN" jacket

2 nights in a row I've noticed this. Hard for me to comment, since I've never been in front of 18 cameras, a national audience, and 35,000 fans. The thing is, I'm pretty sure these guys haven't been either. Maybe the game starts, the blood is pumping and you're concentrating extremely hard and after three innings or so the adrenalin rush ends and you "crash" or hit the "wall"? >>>Possible 5 Hour Energy Commercial?

Maybe not two different zones completely, but i do feel it was expanded a bit for the Illinois team. Maybe just due to being a faster pitch and not tracking it quite as good as when the Texas pitchers were throwing. The Illinois pitchers for sure got the outside edge call more often than Texas.... Those Chicago kids can pitch. Got some fireballers.

Prolonging the argument, because the ball didn't get checked....maybe....

^^ This ^^ I totally agree. And I've been there. (not on those headsets) but lost just the same.

Totally agree about the call. This was very close. So close that it's even difficult on replay to be 100% sure. As far as the EJ.... All that was "Chirped" was to check the ball. As they do on 100% of the balls that hit the dirt. I do not like Gardy, but I really don't think this paperwork was necessary. Should have just motioned to the bench, "I got this" then checked the ball, thrown it out and bam, you're done. That's "IF" they refused to check the ball as the video seems to portray.

Watched 90% of the game. Great job sir...

Cool video

I don't see an "offer", but the replay does look like it may have hit bat first. Maybe not, very difficult to tell.