There is a point when an adjudicator has finished making a ruling. Usually at that point, except for say a typo, it is out of that person's hands and only up to appeals if there is an appear - the adjudicator is functus. Apparently, the question of functus broke out at a baseball game last night. So sayeth the revivied CBC:
Ozuna was pinch-running for A.J. Pierzynski, who appeared to strike out swinging to end the inning, only to wind up at first base on a puzzling call by plate umpire Doug Eddings. Although video replays later revealed otherwise, Eddings ruled that Angels catcher Josh Paul failed to catch the third strike cleanly and thus needed to tag Pierzynski to record the final out. Eddings clearly raised his right arm and clenched his fist to signify strike three - but not necessarily the third out.The scene is excellently illustrated from the AP photo above from the NYT. I am not sure when a call by an umpire is finished. I know this year there was more communal review by the entire group of umpires which has overruled a single ump. Video replay is entirely based on overruling. Is it like playing Monopoly that once the next play is made you cannot go back? How far have umps or refs gone back? It would have been nice if this was reversable.Asked if he heard Eddings call Pierzynski "out," Paul replied: "No. But customarily, if the ball is in the dirt, say, if we block a ball for strike three, they (the umpires) usually say, 'No catch, no catch, no catch' and I didn't hear any of that. That's why I was headed back to the dugout." Taking no chances, Pierzynski hustled to first base anyway. "I didn't hear him call me out," Pierzynski said. "Josh didn't tag me. "Do we feel lucky? No."
Angels manager Mike Scioscia argued vehemently, but to no avail as the umpires huddled and upheld the call. "When an umpire calls him out, rings him up with a raised fist, he's out," Scioscia said.
Comments
ry - October 13, 2005 11:03 AM
I am still livid(LIVID!) over that blown call. The Wife is mad that I woke her up yelling profanity over it. We wuz robbed! Maybe I should be like Nader and sue MLB over it?(Nader filed a case against the NBA because he felt the officials skewed the game in favor of the LA Lakers over the Sac Kings, which deprived the people of something or other--of course it was summarily dismissed.)
Argghhh!
Oh well. We got a split in the Windy City. Just have to win at home now to make the WS.
Umpires. Can't play the game without 'em and so you can't lynch 'em.
Matt F. - October 14, 2005 12:27 PM
I'm not sure about baseball but I know that in soccer the FIFA rules stipulate that a referee can change his own decision up until play has been restarted. I have occassionally seen referees in amateur leagues change a decision I can think of no occassion in a professional league where I have seen it occur except for one bizzare case from the Premier League this year.
In Newcastle's opening game this season versus Arsenal (my team v. your team, if I'm not mistaken) Jermaine Jenas was sent-off in the first half. After the game and after video review, the referee of the match contacted the F.A and downgraded Jenas' red card to a yellow.
I was astounded that this ruling was made as it seemed to violate the rule that a refereee cannot alter his own decision after play has restared. For the F.A to overrule the decision would be one thing, but for the referee to do so, after video review, I think sets a very bad precedent.
Law Five of the Laws of the Game clearly states:
"The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee, provided that he has not restarted play."
The only possible out, comes in the last clause of the 'Powers and Duties of the referee" section under Law Five which states, the referee
"provides the appropriate authorities with a match report, which includes information on any disciplinary action taken against players, and/or team officials and any other incidents that occurred before, during or after the match."
One could perhaps argue that because the decision was related to discipline in the match report the referee could still change his decision. In amateur games I have witnessed referees send-off players in a game but later only record a yellow card on the game sheet.
This is a practice I loathe. If it was a red card during the game, it should be a red card after the game. I also hate the practice of video review.
portland - October 14, 2005 12:31 PM
it's part of the game. dont watch it if you can't take it.