On the transfer?

[Thunderheads]

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=30205607&query=blackmon

[afaber12]

My first thought about this one is that he was attempting to transfer the ball to the bare hand for the throw, but that it would be tough to call it given that the ball dropped pretty much straight down, as opposed to the usual fling out to the side. I really noticed it on the slow-mo replays from the CF cameras where you can see the glove open up a little more indicating that he was letting go of the ball to drop it in to the bare hand, but missed.

 

I wonder though whether it was ruled that he never had secure possession of the ball? F6 initially has to reach out for the ball enough that he comes off the bag. The ball goes into the glove and at least appears to be caught, then the foot comes back down onto the bag. F6 overbalances and the ball drops to the ground. This happens at about the same time that F6 is reaching with his bare hand to get the ball. Then it comes down to did the overbalance and fall cause the ball to drop, or was the mishandled transfer attempt cause the overbalance and fall?

 

I can see it both ways on this one with the benefit of the replays, but also realise that in real time that's going to look like a straight drop and "safe". Even if its the wrong call, I'm not sure this would be one of the hen's teeth of overturned calls on replay next year.

[Mudder]

Definitely on the transfer, in addition i thought the standard for a catch/gloved ball of a thrown ball on a tag of the base in that case is much less stringent than the standard for a catch of a batted ball?  in other words he only has to show control at the moment he tagged the base.

[mstaylor]

You are correct, he has to control it through the tag, then the transfer is another play. The problem is he is looking where he wants to throw it and drops the ball. With the benefit of replay it is a transfer drop, live probably not. 

[noumpere]

Definitely on the transfer, in addition i thought the standard for a catch/gloved ball of a thrown ball on a tag of the base in that case is much less stringent than the standard for a catch of a batted ball?  in other words he only has to show control at the moment he tagged the base.

If it wasn't on the transfer then he never had control almost by definition.

 

Now I agree with you that it was on the transfer.  And the umpire could have helped himself if he had better timing.  He pointed to the base showing the foot so he was going to call out.  If he had waited he could have sold the drop easier.