Did that really happen????

As the night went along, I felt that the Pirates had a really good chance of winning the marathon game that was the Pirates vs. Braves in Atlanta. But in the bottom of the 19th inning and at 1:40am EDT, home plate umpire Jerry Meals decided that he was done doing his job and suggested that it was time to get what his last name says! With runners at 2nd and 3rd and 1out in the inning, Pirates pitcher Daniel McCutchen faced off with Braves pitcher Scott Proctor. Proctor hit a ground ball to 3rd baseman Pedro Alvarez who was playing in with the rest of his infield mates. Alvarez threw a strike to Pirate catcher Michael McKenry, who was positioned perfectly as Julio Lugo raced towards home. McKenry reached down as Lugo was sliding in for a win and "TAGGED" Lugo for the second out of the game. WAIT, WHAT??? Umpire Meals calls him safe and the game is over!!! Are you kidding me???

While I struggled to sleep after that disappointing finish to one of the most exciting games of the season, I thought to myself, "That didn't happen, did it?". As I awoke this morning, the reality set it. What makes me furious is that one of the unwritten rules umpires have is that if the ball arrives ahead of the runner, the runner is out when in doubt. The ball arrived what seemed like minutes before Lugo got to home, but still called safe. Now I know, fatigue probably had something to do with it. But wouldn't the most conservative approach to this situation would be to call him out, unless there was absolutely no doubt that he was safe? The tag occurred 3 feet from home plate and the umpire made the call prior to Lugo ever touching home plate. How does something like this happen?

Human factors plays a part in everything we as people, do on a daily basis. When fatigue sets in, the human mind and body is capable of almost anything and most will surprise you. Being a professional airline pilot, I have encountered fatigue on the job more than once. Studies show that when someone becomes fatigue, their decision making ability becomes that of someone who is over the legal alcohol limit of .08. Could fatigue have cause this mistake to happen? One can argue yes, however human ego is what, in this case, prevented this umpire to correct his call once any doubt entered his mind. Additionally, his fellow umpires on the field can conference with the home plate ump and discuss this call. Could they have changed the call? The answer is YES!!

So this begs the question - will baseball expand instant reply???


Bels

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Dare I say it....

It is 3am EDT on Saturday July 16, 2011 and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in 1st place in the National League Central division. No, that is not a typo! Believe it or not, it's true. The 2011 Pirates are 5 games over .500 and in 1st place. Although, they are currently tied for 1st with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates have the edge by a mere few percentage points better than their divisional foes from the "Show Me State." It is the first time since 1997 that the Pittsburgh Baseball Club is at the top of the division.

Can you believe it? The 2011 installment of this baseball team has been playing very well. While good baseball hasn't been seen in the "Steel City" for a long time, fan support and interest in this team is at the highest in two decades. There is a buzz around town about our Pirates. Wherever you look, Pirate gear is all around us. In light of the current NFL lockout, this city is electrified over the success of this team. In years past, the talk on the radio, in newspapers and on street corners would be how the Steelers are looking going into training camp. Typically, sometime in June, the Steeler chatter really gets going. Not this summer. The lockout helps keep the chatter down, but the Pirates are the focal point of sports conversations in Western PA.

Has the national stage taken notice? Not yet, but starting to. Does it matter? Not really. This team relies on young talent and the teamwork concept, which is eloquently choreographed by the newest manager of the Pirates, Clint Hurdle. Not only has he brought some success to town, he has demonstrated poise, character and the ability to put together this masterpiece that is the Pittsburgh Pirates. In an early season interview, manager Hurdle revealed that as soon as being hired as skipper, he read a few books about the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise. Great move! One of my biggest complaints of managerial choices in the past was the lack of knowing what it means to be a Pittsburgh Pirate. Clemente, Stargel, Bell and Bonilla, are just some of the names that brought success to town. Oh, there are others. Bill Mazeroski, Steve Blass, Bert Blyleven, Kent Tekulve, Dave Parker, Andy Van Slyke, Bob Walk, John Smiley and Doug Drabek. These players are the history of the Buccos. By Clint Hurdle realizing how important it is to reconnect to the past, he could in fact be prepairing to add his name to the list of successful bosses of this team. Murtaugh, Leyland and especially the late Tanner, would be proud to add Hurdle next to their names. With the trade deadline just around the corner, could there be a push for the playoffs? Only time will tell.

Let's Go Bucs!!!!