Announcers need a rules clinic

[typikon]

This sure seems like a straightforward BI call, but the announcers have it all tangled up:

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=22201585

[cajunyankee]

HHWWWHAAAT? Announcers confused on a rule interp.

Shocking.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by cajunyankee

HHWWWHAAAT? Announcers confused on a rule interp.

Shocking.

I kinda like the rule they think they know: if it's intentional by the batter, why not call his buddy out, too?

[KenGibes]

Unfortunately, umpires bear the brunt of these ill-informed broadcasters who, needing to fill the airwaves with mindless banter, spew forth false information while assuming an air of authority on the matter.

Somewhere, sometime soon, an umpire will need to make a ruling on a batter who interferes with F2's throw and some ill-informed person (perhaps a coach) will whine and argue that both the batter and the runner should be called out because it looked intentional.

They saw it on TV. They KNOW the rule.

[trout78]

Originally Posted by KenGibes

Unfortunately, umpires bear the brunt of these ill-informed broadcasters who, needing to fill the airwaves with mindless banter, spew forth false information while assuming an air of authority on the matter.

Somewhere, sometime soon, an umpire will need to make a ruling on a batter who interferes with F2's throw and some ill-informed person (perhaps a coach) will whine and argue that both the batter and the runner should be called out because it looked intentional.

They saw it on TV. They KNOW the rule.

Angel Hernandez called BI on F2 throw to 2b the other night. Monday night ESPN game (Reds?). They actually complimented him. Slo-Mo showed him CLEARLY watching F2's arm, and the guy said "Angel was all over that one!" I was flabbergasted.

[cajunyankee]

Originally Posted by trout78

Angel Hernandez called BI on F2 throw to 2b the other night. Monday night ESPN game (Reds?). They actually complimented him. Slo-Mo showed him CLEARLY watching F2's arm, and the guy said "Angel was all over that one!" I was flabbergasted.

Same clip as the OP.

[trout78]

Never got it to play. I was watching the game when it happened.

[mmp1]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I kinda like the rule they think they know: if it's intentional by the batter, why not call his buddy out, too?

I don't think the announcers wanted two outs, they were just confused about who should be called out. They thought the runner would be called out for the interference and when they saw R1 being sent back to first, they went to "backswing interference" as the reason for sending R1 back to first instead of calling him out (which would have been correct if that's what had happened).

Their confusion was probably exacerbated by the batter, who was apparently the last person to accept his new status. PU had to chase him away from the plate after the manager got his explanation and was already back in the dugout.

[trout78]

Dusty Baker accepted Angel's explanation pretty well. I get more arguments on OBS calls in 9u.

[trout78]

During Yankees/Braves game tonight, a ball was bunted foul, bounced under Martin's glove and caught his forearm. Announcer said, "I think that foul tip may have gotten a piece of him." Foul Tip?

[bnumpire]

From games that I have watched on ESPN, for as much as he would get on umpires, Terry Francona does seem to know the rules fairly well and does a halfway decent job of explaining them. Obviously not in the case with the intentional/unintentional interference.