Umpire reverses call after off the field & still allows a run to score

[SSmom83]

Ok the scenario is:
12U State playoffs game on the 4th day. We are on the field, runner on 2nd, 2 outs. The batter hits the ball to the infield & the ball is thrown to 1st. Ump calls her out. Player covering 1st drops the ball but the ump does NOT change his call & does NOT yell "safe, she dropped the ball" or anything. Some of our players start leaving the field, 1st baseman throws the ball home to a catcher not watching because she thinks its the 3rd out. Catcher gets nailed with the ball in the chest & all the players then leave the field.
The other team won't leave the field, runner stays on 1st with the coach & the 3rd base coach then starts to talk to the umps. The umps then say the runner is safe at first & tell our players to get back on the field there is only 2 outs.
We agree the ump messed up & she should have been safe, our player dropped the ball. But our issue is they allowed that run to score & count when our team thought it was the 3rd out. The ump simply said your players threw the ball & attempted a play run scores!
It wasn't a game determining run, we were down 7-3 with that run - so the outcome would not have changed. But just wanted opinions was it a screwed up call? Can they change the call after the players leave the field? ETC... Just curious at this point. Thanks!

 

[James Smith]

Umpires make mistakes, good umpires try to correct their mistakes.

I do not agree with what they told you but they need to unwind it the best they can. Usually one side or the other is upset because it comes down to their judgment of what would have happened.

 

[Ajaywill]

Yes, the call can be changed.

The issue here is what to do with the runners when the call is changed. The rules allow for umpires to place runners accordingly when changing a call that could put either team in jeopardy.

In this case the BU did not see the first baseman drop the ball, but after conferring with his partner, the call was reversed and the runner was allowed to stay at first. As far as scoring the run, that's the tricky part. With two outs, that runner was probably off with the hit. Depending on how fast she was, it is possible she could have scored on the play (dropped ball) if the correct call had been made initially. How close was she to the plate when the first baseman threw home?

Hard to tell you what should have happened without being there to see the whole play.

 

[Comp]

If the reversal of the call puts either team in jeaporday, the umpires should do as much as they can to minimize the damage to both teams. The umpire called the BR out at 1st, it was technically the 3rd out inning over. There was no other play to be made, umpires should have placed the runner back at 3rd and continued the game from that point.

 

[SSmom83]

If the catcher would have been paying attention & caught the ball it would have been very close. The runner did not slide or attempt to slide she still had 2 maybe 3 more steps before touching home, so a clear out if she didn't slide. But if she would have slid it would have been close!

Totally agree that its an Umps call & not an easy one to make. It wasn't a game changing play either as the score wasn't within a run! Just curious on opinions is all as some of our parents wanted to go to the State/Ump tent & complain & most of us parents stated it won't change anything, get over it!

 

[Momo'sDad]

If the reversal of the call puts either team in jeaporday, the umpires should do as much as they can to minimize the damage to both teams. The umpire called the BR out at 1st, it was technically the 3rd out inning over. There was no other play to be made, umpires should have placed the runner back at 3rd and continued the game from that point.

After the 3rd out is called, is the ball considered dead?

 

[CoogansBluff]

... some of our parents wanted to go to the State/Ump tent & complain & most of us parents stated it won't change anything, get over it!

Not the parents' job to lodge official complaints, IMO. Coach should do that, if anybody.

 

[SSmom83]

Not the parents' job to lodge official complaints, IMO. Coach should do that, if anybody.

Totally agree!!! Just makes our team look like a bunch of redneck a$$holes by they way they were acting!! Lol

 

[MTR]

Totally agree that its an Umps call & not an easy one to make. It wasn't a game changing play either as the score wasn't within a run! Just curious on opinions is all as some of our parents wanted to go to the State/Ump tent & complain & most of us parents stated it won't change anything, get over it!

Parents would or should just be ignored in this case. Coaches are another story. The UIC or whomever would be in charge, shouldn't address anyone not specifically and officially associated with the team. For that matter, when the parents show up, the UIC should just walk away. The coaches should know that and encourage the fans to keep their distance. It is not a matter of being rude, but nothing good can come of interaction with the fans. Nothing is going to change their minds and interaction will more likely be contentious than helpful.

The coaches should be given full and the UICs undivided attention. Unless the game was immediately protested, nothing will change, but the coaches' concerns should be heard.