Wednesday, June 20, 2007

More on Tuesday's controversy

Following Tuesday's game, Defenders manager Dave Machemer saw video of Eugenio Velez's at-bat in which he was ruled to have stepped out of the batters box. The home plate umpire saw a cleat mark in front of the box, determined it was Velez's and ruled him out. John Bowker doubled on the next pitch, which likely would have scored Velez with the tying run.

According to Machemer, the video shows only part of Velez's foot out of the box, which is not illegal, thus the call incorrect.

The actual rule, taken from MLB.com:

6.06
A batter is out for illegal action when --
(a) He hits a ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the batter’s box.
Rule 6.06(a) Comment: If a batter hits a ball fair or foul while out of the batter’s box, he shall be called out. Umpires should pay particular attention to the position of the batter’s feet if he attempts to hit the ball while he is being intentionally passed. A batter cannot jump or step out of the batter’s box and hit the ball.

7 comments:

thehondohurricane said...

And WOW, did that call carry over to tonights Game 1. That was the most animation I've ever seen out of Mach and Steamer put on a good show too.

Joe said...

You bet it did! Steamer said the decision to chase Pereira was the worst he's ever seen. Apparently -- according to Bob --Pereira had some choice words for himself after the homer and the umpire took offense.

Why not warn him? Or ask him to calm down? Or even walk away? Nope.

There have been problems with this crew before. That's not to mention that five members of the team/staff have been tossed by them this season alone.

greg8370 said...

Of course I had to work. Could have been a instant You Tube classic.

I wonder on the EL front office comes into play where it's pretty obvious a specfic umpire crew and team are clashing season long.

Joe said...

That becomes the $100,000 question. If there are other teams that have had problems with this crew, you have to think they won't be in the EL next year. BUT, if its a them vs. the Defenders situation, the EL will likely take the approach of the umpires are doing a good job because they are holding their own.

It wouldn't surprise me if something happens during tonight's game.

greg8370 said...

Joe,

There is a bit of discussion going on about player housing.
Do you have any insight about guys having problems finding apts.? I think you touched on this subject early April during the first road trip and mentioned some players were basically homeless with the team opening in Portland and New Hampshire and hadn't time to find a place to live yet.
Also do you know how many players are with host families if any?

Thanks,

Greg

thehondohurricane said...

As far as tonight goes, I think it would be pretty interesting if Mach lets Nick take the line-up card out to the umps.

Joe said...

I haven't heard much about the housing situation. From what I've heard, most of the guys have their housing taken care of. As for host families, I couldn't give you a number. It seems there are less host families than there once were.

It would be funny if Nick came out with the lineup card. There's a better chance it's Steamer.