Tag - Play at the plate ...

[Thunderheads]

Guys, ..

listen to the announcers ....

discuss....

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21054115&c_id=mlb

[Welpe]

Let's put it this way, in this play it is picking up the poopy end to say there was no tag there.

[24sdad]

I watched it a couple times and am still not convinced he didn't accidentally "tag" him following the collision. Either way, good call and good description of the call by whoever the color guy is for the Padres.

[cyclonehokiece]

I watched it a couple times and am still not convinced he didn't accidentally "tag" him following the collision. Either way, good call and good description of the call by whoever the color guy is for the Padres.

That was the Brewers color man, and his name is Bill Schroeder. Former MLB catcher.

[noumpere]

If he would of slid he would of been safe I think. And I noticed either U2 or U3 hustling to get behind third in case there would of been a play there.

[Jimurray]

Catcher sets up for swipe. PU is 3BX. Throw takes catcher into blocking position. PU reads and rotates to the opposite of 1BX. Maybe if I think about it enough I'll be able to do it in real time.

[johnnyg08]

am still not convinced he didn't accidentally "tag" him following the collision.

I agree.

I didn't like how they called it a "rule" it is more of a guideline and a good one at that.

[mstaylor]

The proper term is "Rule of thumb." I'm not sure he didn't get his arm as he goes down.

[johnnyg08]

The proper term is "Rule of thumb."

I think this is a joke. So I will laugh. :D

[Umpire in Chief]

I think the call was correct, it looks like there is a tag on the left hip and up to the armpit. Knight looked to have pretty good position and adjusted well.

The announcers are incredible.

[mstaylor]

Do you prefer accepted practice? I actually never heard that particular instruction.

[johnnyg08]

I guess to me "rule of thumb" is somewhat slang. Personally I wouldn't use the words "rule of thumb" when explaining that type of a play to a coach who comes out and wants to know why I called his player out w/o a tag. I think we'd probably all say "I had a tag coach"

I don't think you'd ever hear anybody who wants to run a reputable clinic to go on record and say if it's close enough call the tag even if you don't think there was a tag.

If it works in your part of the country to say "rule of thumb" go for it. In my neck, it doesn't sound very authoritative and probably wouldn't go over very well in terms of giving a coach a credible response. I'd probably stick with "I had a tag on that play"

YMMV

[mstaylor]

I wouldn't call him out without a tag so I don't need to use the term. If I am making a call that is unclear in the rulebook or even counter to the book, I will explain to the coach by interpretation and common usage it is called this way. This hasn't failed me yet.