In the words of Bob Uecker ....

[Thunderheads]

.....................juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust a bit outside!

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=26132663&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_26132663&v=3

[JaxRolo]

I saw Jocko call one like that

[dumbdumb]

And how many would have this way low by a mile???, yet look at pitchf/x. Pitch easily gets the knee (not even touching the knee line).

 

Also FWIW, I see this at practically every game, and as i have said before, this is being played out all over the country at all levels every day. Hopefully those pitches that everyone calls are on the first strike and not the third. I wish that for everyone who misses a pitch every day. Kind of keeps ones perspective when we get to see it missed on the big screen, doesn't it. Lends credence to the phrase, nobody's perfect.

 

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=150274&game=gid_2013_04_08_tbamlb_texmlb_1&batterX=73&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif

[BigUmpire]

I have a really smart dog that can read lips.

I had him watch the video 4 times and he states Marty Foster said to Ben Zorist:

"Too bad you overpaid prima donna, I am ready for a beer and a steak at Landrys, hit the showers"

 

My smart dog also read Joe Maddons lips after he came out to argue the call:

"You blew this call. You will be on Umpire Empire tomorrow morning"

[johnnyg08]

And how many would have this way low by a mile???, yet look at pitchf/x. Pitch easily gets the knee (not even touching the knee line).

 

Also FWIW, I see this at practically every game, and as i have said before, this is being played out all over the country at all levels every day. Hopefully those pitches that everyone calls are on the first strike and not the third. I wish that for everyone who misses a pitch every day. Kind of keeps ones perspective when we get to see it missed on the big screen, doesn't it. Lends credence to the phrase, nobody's perfect.

 

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/numlocation.php-pitchSel=150274&game=gid_2013_04_08_tbamlb_texmlb_1&batterX=73&innings=yyyyyyyyy&sp_type=1&s_type=3.gif

 

 

Those are my exact thoughts every time I see something like this.  I will say that these are the biggest zones I've seen at the beginning of the MLB season since I started paying attention.

[Thunderheads]

Those are my exact thoughts every time I see something like this.  I will say that these are the biggest zones I've seen at the beginning of the MLB season since I started paying attention.

I'm glad someone else (aside from this local hack) has noticed this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[cyclonehokiece]

Thunder spell the man's name right, it is Uecker.

[noumpere]

And how many would have this way low by a mile???, yet look at pitchf/x. Pitch easily gets the knee (not even touching the knee line).

Couldn't tell on the pitch tracker which pitch it was but its common that curve balls that the system judges to be strikes are caught at the shoe tops and are balled.  the umpire is given a "correct" marking on those calls.  (At least that's how it used to be -- don't know if it has been changed)

[Thunderheads]

Thunder spell the man's name right, it is Uecker.

FIXED

[Umpire in Chief]

Ouch. 

 

Not trying to bail Foster out on this one but the catcher did nothing to help on his presentation of the pitch almost as if he'd given up on it too. Had the catcher presented it better it wouldn't have looked so bad.

[24sdad]

Ok, Foster missed a pitch.

 

Tampa Bay batted 2-12 with runners in scoring position, LEFT 21 RUNNERS ON BASE, made one error, allowed five earned runs and had to rely on speedy Jose Molina to steal their only base.

 

Maddon might consider directing his anger elsewhere.

[BalkHawk]

F2 never bothered to frame the pitch and F1 can be seen clutching the back of his cap in self-disgust until he realizes he got the call (instead of ball 4). As the two walked up to congratulate each other in between the mound and the plate, F1 could clearly be seen mouthing the expression, "Wow."

I watched the whole AB a few times. I took note of:

-the 3rd pitch to Zobrist, which looks almost identical to the final strike, in that it was also a curve to the same part of the zone, was called a ball.

-with the count 3-1, Zobrist calls time, apparently to tighten the velcro on his batting gloves. His request seems to be triggered by F2's move to come set. Again, with the count 3-2, Zobrist calls for time to fix his gloves. This time, F2 was already set. Foster signals time, then looks and walks in the direction of the batter. Zobrist can be seen nodding his head in agreement.

-although F2 couldn't frame the called strike 3 pitch, he was able to retrieve it "thumbs down."

-in the last two seasons, one game has been enough to decide whether or not the Rays made the playoffs.

[BalkHawk]

Ok, Foster missed a pitch.

Tampa Bay batted 2-12 with runners in scoring position, LEFT 21 RUNNERS ON BASE, made one error, allowed five earned runs and had to rely on speedy Jose Molina to steal their only base.

Maddon might consider directing his anger elsewhere.

IMO, this argument means absolutely nothing at the professional level. As you may know, Texas has solid pitching. Those pitchers are highly keen on stranding runners and getting outs when runners are in scoring position.

There was one error on Zobrist, the Rays first error of the season.

Texas also has a lineup built for scoring. Giving up five runs to them in eight innings is almost the most you could ask.

Jose Molina stealing a base is good for a laugh. In this instance, he realized he was being ignored all together by the pitcher and got a huge lead. The Rays as a team steal bases liberally. Obviously, Texas made a point to watch the runners.

My point- this was a well-fought, professional baseball game. To say Tampa could have done more is taking a whole lot away from the Rangers.

[CentralOhioUmp30]

Ok, Foster missed a pitch.

 

Tampa Bay batted 2-12 with runners in scoring position, LEFT 21 RUNNERS ON BASE, made one error, allowed five earned runs and had to rely on speedy Jose Molina to steal their only base.

 

Maddon might consider directing his anger elsewhere.

 

Generally I would agree with that line of thinking in regards to late-game calls (especially in basketball with these block/charge disputes), but this one I can't defend.  It's too obvious, especially for someone who does this for a living.

[KLAH316]

What is Foster saying to Zobrist at the :48 mark???  I can tell he says the word "Ball" but that's all I can make out.

 

I doubt he's owning up for the bad call.

[24sdad]

Ok, Foster missed a pitch.

Tampa Bay batted 2-12 with runners in scoring position, LEFT 21 RUNNERS ON BASE, made one error, allowed five earned runs and had to rely on speedy Jose Molina to steal their only base.

Maddon might consider directing his anger elsewhere.

IMO, this argument means absolutely nothing at the professional level. As you may know, Texas has solid pitching. Those pitchers are highly keen on stranding runners and getting outs when runners are in scoring position.

There was one error on Zobrist, the Rays first error of the season.

Texas also has a lineup built for scoring. Giving up five runs to them in eight innings is almost the most you could ask.

Jose Molina stealing a base is good for a laugh. In this instance, he realized he was being ignored all together by the pitcher and got a huge lead. The Rays as a team steal bases liberally. Obviously, Texas made a point to watch the runners.

My point- this was a well-fought, professional baseball game. To say Tampa could have done more is taking a whole lot away from the Rangers.

I understand your defense of TB and I am not bashing them or their effort.  However, my point is no nine inning baseball game is ever decided due to one play, one error or one call.

[IABlue]

-in the last two seasons, one game has been enough to decide whether or not the Rays made the playoffs.

This is just ridiculous.  They play 162 freaking games.  I'm sure there are dozens and dozens of games that they have and will lose that have absolutely nothing at all to do with umpire calls.

[johnnyg08]

 However, my point is no nine inning baseball game is ever decided due to one play, one error or one call.

 

False.  

[mstaylor]

People are clueless. 

[IABlue]

 However, my point is no nine inning baseball game is ever decided due to one play, one error or one call.

 

False.  

Unless it's a play at the plate at the very end of the game that represents either the tying or winning run, you are completely incorrect.

[Lindsay]

 

 However, my point is no nine inning baseball game is ever decided due to one play, one error or one call.

 

False.  

Unless it's a play at the plate at the very end of the game that represents either the tying or winning run, you are completely incorrect.

Such as this call right here... or so LA would like to believe.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=23042581&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_23042581&v=3

[johnnyg08]

 

However, my point is no nine inning baseball game is ever decided due to one play, one error or one call.

False. Unless it's a play at the plate at the very end of the game that represents either the tying or winning run, you are completely incorrect.

So you simply proved that I was correct.   

[scrounge]

 

 

 However, my point is no nine inning baseball game is ever decided due to one play, one error or one call.

 

False.  

Unless it's a play at the plate at the very end of the game that represents either the tying or winning run, you are completely incorrect.

Such as this call right here... or so LA would like to believe.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=23042581&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_23042581&v=3

 

Not a surprise to anyone, but in intelligence, eloquence, and class?  Vin Scully >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dick Enberg

[24sdad]

 However, my point is no nine inning baseball game is ever decided due to one play, one error or one call.

 

False.  

I am not here to banter back and forth worth with such an absurd statement.  I will agree with you certain plays, calls, etc influence and/or impact the outcome of a game more than others, but no one specific play decides a game.  A game is decided in his entirety, beginning with who the Mgr plays, every play missed or converted, strategic moves by each team, hits, errors, base running successes or mistakes, calls, etc, etc, etc.  All of the this combined, from inning 1-9, is what determines the outcome of a game. 

 

We will just have to agree to disagree.

[mstaylor]

I agree with 24 1000%. Certain calls can be pivotal, but does not in itself decide a game. How teams react to a major or controversial call can help decide a game.