Is anyone watching the news conference with the Umps?

[ChiefsFAN]

it was real close but like the announcers said, the catcher knows if he caught it or not.

[vinnyvegas]

Chiefs, doesn't matter what catcher thinks...that's why he's framing pitches and trying to get the ump to make calls versus just waiting...of course he's going to SELL he caught it...just like a batter selling he's hit by pitch when he's not or pretending he's fouled ball into his foot so it's called foul versus a fair ball...

I'm sure we'll debate this for some time...

[CHICAGODOG]

Why not just tag the runner to make sure ??????????????
See it all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vinnyvegas]

CDog, your 100% correct...that's what most do not realize...it's done from Little League to Majors...millions of times by now...tag or toss it to make sure...

[frankb03]

it's RARE that the umps/refs are even questioned...look at the FINES given out to coaches & players for making comments after games about calls...it's just not done...why these Umps were interviewed is BEYOND me...Vegas behind it, I'm SURE OF IT...HA!

Umps and refs are such a huge part of sports today. IMO They should be required explain their calls.

[moneyman]

Two things should happen...1 for sure.

1. Catchers won't be so quick to roll ball back to the mound assuming an out.

2. Instant replay is used in football, refs review plays in basketball....the technology is there..USE IT...in baseball too..whatever it takes to get the call right !

.02

[jhedrick]

First off MLB umpires are tradionally asked to face the media when there is any type of controversial play during the playoffs. I remember specifically when Jeff Maier caught Jeter's HR ball as well as when Chuck Knoblach didnt chase after the ball when it had hit the runner, in both cases the umpires faced the media.
I dont think this happens in any other sport and I give major PROPS to MLB for making them accessible.

As far as the play is concerned my question is not whether the ball hit the ground but to WHY didnt the home plate umpire check with the 3rd base umpire for his opinion, it is perfectly within his rights to due, if he is unsure.

Either way the catcher still should have made the tag, you see it all the time and it cant hurt to do that!!!

[jhedrick]

And if anyone jumps in here and has the audacity to jump in here and make a debate for baseball having instant replay -- SAVE YOUR BREATH!!!

[Spark]

Angels got screwed .... He struck out, ball never hit ground and even if it did the home plate ump signaled him out, which ends the play..... I have umped for years and when I make a strike call it is a strike but when I come down with the arm in front of me with a clinched fist that is a signal that the batter is out ... Play ends ....No argument about it ... Great advertisement for instant replay but I hope we never see it in bases ...

[Spark]

One more thing if I may add ... I'd be very surprised if those umps worked anymore of these playoff games, especially in Anaheim ....

[BackDoorCvr]

There have been alot of good arguments here both ways but I have not heard anyone bring up something that Josh Paul said. Paul said that all home plate umpires instantly say "no catch, no catch" on 3rd strikes such as that to let the catcher and batter know that the ball was not fielded cleanly and the batter needs to be tagged or thrown out at first. In this case nothing was said. The ump was never asked at the news conference if he said anything of the sort. He was simply babbling about his mechanics of calling a 3rd strike. IMO this was a terrible call. I had the Halos on the RL so I'm not just saying this because I am bitter....had Crede's hit left the yard then I'd be bitter.

[RFC]

Fitting that A.J. was involved in the play. He is a hard-nosed gamer who plays to win. Kudos to A.J.

[jhedrick]

RFC!

BIG fan of the way AJ plays the game as well!!!

[bilbal]

Seeing it in slo mo replay, it looks to me like it was the ball's force pushing the mitt into the ground and his mitt was definitely in the dirt. But there is no frame that shows the ball hitting the dirt, none...the mitt, yes, the ball, no way. Badly blown call and the wrong team won the game. No one in MLB will ever have the balls to admit they F'ed it up.

Too bad they can't give umpires an error like they do the players.

[RFC]

Are you saying the angels should have won the game? Best they have is extra innings. A smart catcher would have tagged the hitter or thrown the ball to first because he should have realized that there could be an issue of doubt. Those two things were in his control and he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is not rocket science.