Tim Welke blows it again

by BoulderBrian on Oct 27, 2008 9:53 PM PDT

The same umpire who arguably blew the tag call by Veriteck on Willits in our Red Sox series blew a tag call tonight. This time, being on such a big stage with much of the media backing the Rays, he got called out on it. Dave Campbell said that had the call in our Red Sox series been against the Red Sox that the Boston Globe would have thrown fits and had the front page in massive caps calling for his head. Well, thats what is happening now on ESPN after tonights call. I didn't see tonights blown call first hand, but it does sound more obviously missed than ours. However, it still irks me that MLB let Tim Welke umpire the world series after he failed to even consult another umpire while blowing the call in our game, a simple prodcedure he should have taken to make sure he did everything to make the correct call (since replay shows he didn't even see the end of the play).

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Worst-umpired postseason I can recall

I think that may be due to better tech and cameras catching the blown calls more definitively.

by Rev Halofan on Oct 27, 2008 11:09 PM PDT reply actions

They should change replay to all plays

To replace crappy umps

"Halos Heaven All Time Saves Record Holder Genius Prognasticator."

by vlad IS my man on Oct 28, 2008 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I thought it was interesting they had two of the umpires present at the post-game interview to directly answer questions from reporters.

That is at least a step toward accountability on MLB’s part me thinks.

Recipient of the 2008 "The Iron Man" award from scottnak of Halos Heaven!

by 44FAN on Oct 27, 2008 11:36 PM PDT reply actions

They embrace the mistakes

“It’s what makes baseball a beautiful sport blah blah blah human error”

When the calls habitually go for or against certain teams in a given series, season, or historically, it isn’t so beautiful. They try and make things seem like a judgement call, but honestly, safe and out is a picture. Stop the cliches and implement replay for safe and out, and start holding the umpires accountable for ridiculous strike zones.

by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Oct 28, 2008 9:09 AM PDT reply actions

The Varitek call was not blown

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Oct 28, 2008 9:12 AM PDT reply actions

yes it was

by UCIHalo on Oct 28, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

see previous fanposts

by UCIHalo on Oct 28, 2008 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Um how do you figure?

Because Dave “Soup” Campbell thought it was?

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Oct 28, 2008 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree.

Varitek had him.

Hostility abounds on Halos Heaven

by thrill000 on Oct 28, 2008 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions

you are asking the wrong question

in stead of asking if the call was good or not, the rule book is not clear on whether or not the call was blown, ask was the call made in the best most fair and impartial way possible. The clear answer to that is no, refer to Dave Campbell as to why.

by BoulderBrian on Oct 28, 2008 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions

That clearly is a statement and not a question.

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Oct 28, 2008 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions

u were answering the question "was the veritck call blown?"

i should have said “you are addressing the wrong question”

by BoulderBrian on Oct 28, 2008 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I keep forgeting that Dave Campbell's opinion is the law.

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Oct 28, 2008 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

really, where did i say that in this post?

by BoulderBrian on Oct 28, 2008 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions

The Varitek call WAS a blown call

After tagging a player, you are supposed to present possession of the ball to the umpire.

by Doctor Wu on Oct 28, 2008 11:00 AM PDT reply actions

Agree to disagree.

The ground clearly dislodged the ball.

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Oct 28, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions

This ain't football, hauldog- the ground can cause a "fumble"

Live I thought he was out, but then the ball is bouncing into left field. How could he be out?

I agree with Rev, this has been a terrible postseason for umpiring. I think the Rays have really been hosed quite a few times.

Re-sign Tex!

by hk47 on Oct 29, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

He had control of the ball when he tagged Willits

Pretty obvious call IMO

Teixeira............Everything else can wait.

by hauldog on Oct 29, 2008 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions

no one is denying that he had control when he tagged willits

nor that he dropped the ball when he hit the ground.

the rule is just unclear and inconsistent in this regard. i dont know what to make of that call because theres no right answer, just what we were given. hopefully this gets addressed in the offseason but probably not.

by linkbruin on Oct 29, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions

The Phils have gotten the business end of the bad-umpiring-stick

on a couple occasions too.

Which I think goes further to prove that the umpires are just plain B A D.

If GA wasn't so Lazy, I'd have something clever here.

by TheTypingFiend on Oct 29, 2008 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Not

Not true. You are supposed to present possession of the ball to indicate that you caught it and had control. The fact that Varitek had possession of the ball and dropped it after the tag is of no consquence because he was running with the ball and not catching the ball prior to the tag. Here are the official definitions of “TAG” and “CATCH” from MLB (notice it says nothing about presenting the ball on a tag):

A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the
ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his
hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or
glove.

A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of
a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or
any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if
simultaneously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player,
or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball.
It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team
or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. If the fielder has made the
catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall
be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall
hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his
release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.

by HungryHunter on Oct 28, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

that's what I was saying a couple of weeks ago

Varitek began the play with possession of the ball, unlike the prototypical situation where the throw, catch and tag are all part of the play. The play essentially began with Varitek holding the ball.

It doesn’t matter now.

It is interesting, though, how many blown calls we’re seeing. I have no idea if it’s just bad luck (maybe there won’t be a significant blown call for the next three years), or if the technological advances and additional camera angles have simply provided us with more opportunity for second-guessing.

by jjackflash on Oct 28, 2008 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions

I went back and checked the box score. Again.

Yep. No change. Willits is still out.

Francisco Rodriguez: 2006 to Present: 149 saves. 5 Panthers. As fabulous as Pride, Romero, Gregg, Budde and Dino Ebel combined.

by Stirrups on Oct 28, 2008 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Damn it

by Higz on Oct 29, 2008 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions

stopped reading at 'prior to the tag'

if willits was 200 pounds 6’7’’ he would of went barreling into varitek to lodge the ball, sure varitek has control in a play at the plate, but land of the lost-giants- willits drilled him and he fell backwards doing thirty flips until he finally landed, and his glove meeting the turf knocked the ball loose.

unfortunately willits is not giant, so he used a seperate tool to try and get varitek, his speed with the cat and mouse game he had going there, same play different weapon. willits was safe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlTvSUCCqPo

by ANewFoundThrice on Oct 30, 2008 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Kevin Kennedy and Dibble of The Show have spoken about the call numerous times

they are of the opinion that the rule needs to be rewritten, so that he would have been called safe. Kennedy said that if it only makes sense to call him out if you freeze frame it.

by Big Bad , "VLAD"! on Oct 29, 2008 2:40 PM PDT reply actions