5/3/2018: Controversial play at the plate; Glen Barker ejected

[@pork123100]

You gotta love fans at least twenty feet away from play and still see if runner safe or out.

[@adriangaushausindahaus20]

or the fans in third deck above the left field foul pole who know better than the ump 24 inches away

[@BigSkyCurmudgeon]

ya, all 12 of them

[@bug-lf4sg]

Looked out to me. Not that controversial.

[@gordlawson11]

i concur

[@Gbpsfitness]

If I would have been the plate umpire I would have been 3BLE and closer using the wedge. Yes, he looks out to me but his positioning could've been better

[@mikedunn2460]

from this angle it is hard to tell

[@mikedunn2460]

I would also since the tag was late and behind the runner you cannot tell if the glove made contact, the ball beating the runner is not an automatic

[@parklloyd6690]

The thing that's most telling to me? The whole team is chirping at the ump all during the at bat. The coach should shut that down. But then again, "attitude reflects leadership, captain." They're just doing what they've seen the coach do. And I watched the play in slo mo and it looks like the catcher made the tag before the hand reached the plate. It was a bang-bang play, so acting like he was safe by a mile is ridiculous. Cheers.

[@Gbpsfitness]

Then what do you do when the coach doesn't stop that! I've been umping for a while and I hate to exercise my discretion in a way that I'll come across as being the show. But I've done it! I give them one warning: coach! Somebody is not going to finish the game if this continues. Depending on the coach's response I'll know what to do next. I cannot stop them, he says. Ok. Play! Next chirp! I turn around and toss the first player I see whether he's the one or not. Coach says it wasn't him. Coach! Well, you cannot do that! Coach get back to your bench! I don't think you know what you are doing, coach says. Coach! You are done! Out of the game. I'm in Canada, I must admit! One day, I rejected 3 players in less than 5 minutes. You could hear a pin drop. Nobody said another word. I also ump softball and when the coach doesn't control the players, we are instructed to inject the coach, so the coach is always on top! It all depends on the age, too. Youth, issue bench restrictions, meaning restrict the coach to the bench and he cannot communicate with anyone unless it is for safety reasons. But I have never issued a Bench Restriction because once you turn around how can you control anything. Bottom line, do not be afraid to step in on time before you lose control of the game

[@ericjohannsen]

Freeze frame at 2:54, it's really hard to tell from that angle whether the tag is on the hand or behind it. The umpire is, no doubt, in a better position to see it than the clueless fans. However, as others have noted, he's not in a good position. He's sort of third base extended (the old mechanic) but too far into foul territory. The current mechanic would have him off of and behind the catcher's hip on the side the play will be, rotating as the catcher rotates to make the tag.

[@kyleh1919]

I absolutely agree and would like to add that the PU appears to have no credibility leading up to this imo, I can't even tell how he's seeing the pitches cross the zone with his positioning behind the catcher. bad positions leads to bad calls which typically leads to ejections so not really surprised

[@prsguitars42]

The "wedge technique" is now taught.

[@johncronin9540]

One can debate the proper positioning in making a call, but it’s very difficult to judge the correct call from watching the video. Part of the problem can’t be helped - the point of view of the video is well behind the plate. But part of the problem is that the camera follows the runner, not the ball. That’s fine for the camera, but that’s not what a plate umpire should be looking at. The focus should be on the ball. Also, even more importantly, from whatever position the umpire is at, his head should be as still as possible. If an umpire is moving his head, then his eyes will be moving also. When the play happens, you want your head as still as possible, to see the play.

[@withamarshview1436]

About the head being still allowing the eyes to follow the ball.. I knew that the standing position or vantage point for the ump was important, but never understood how they could be so confident of a split-second decision. But having your eyes having a stable view of the ball allows the brain to the necessary overwhelming attention.

[@randallsavage3795]

@Witha Marshview Old timers told me years ago that on a banger or a close play that u know is gonna fire up one side no matter what, U make ur call and g8ve a lil extra verbally and physically on the safe or punch out. it gives the projection that U are as good as u look.

[@davidrooks3274]

22 things to remember, this was a bang bang play AND they don't have replay

[@pattiross3798]

Are you blind he never touched him

[@chrisharrington1409]

a couple years late on this but the camera angle isn't in position to make the correct call, because you can't see the back of R2 or the glove on the swipe.. so the angle for this play is almost in front of the lefty box as close to the plate as possible to get wedge, or keyhole..

[@Ghostrider6A]

After reviewing the play, the call on the field is confirmed. Out at home.

[@gavinvelicevic1907]

Yep.

[@joshuanmemphis73]

slow motion....frame by frame......catcher had the plate cover, the runner had to slide around him but the catcher had the tag down and waiting on him.....good call Blue.

[@Chewieization]

he tagged him in the hand.

[@justafanintexas7913]

ESPN had this on and put it to the slo-mo. Catcher's tag was late as the hand got in first.

[@dartmaster501]

He did not have the tag down and waiting him.

[@MaydayAggro]

Pu has a great view of pitches behind the catcher's head.

[@jordanissport]

Horrible slot placement :(

[@michaelhorsey5871]

@@jordanissport I think he thinks there's no room for him inside since he's getting squeezed. If he goes any further in the slot, he won't see the outside pitch at all. Doing college ball and only being 69" myself, I have a really hard time getting set in the slot when the catcher is setting up for the inside pitch on some of these big catchers and batters.

[@alanhess9306]

@@michaelhorsey5871 Shouldn't he raise his head a bit if he cannot get in the slot? Looked to me like his head was way too low.

[@michaelhorsey5871]

Alan Hess possibly, but he could have eye level on top zone.

[@alanhess9306]

@@michaelhorsey5871 From his position, I don't think he could possibly see a pitch at the low outside part of the zone.

[@howie9751]

Played it at .25 speed, he looked out from the camera angle. If he wasn't tagged on the hand, he was tagged on the hip and before his hand touched the plate. Unfortunately we don't have the advantage of four replay angles.

[@David-vx7ht]

So many of the self proclaimed professional umpires on this thread have over looked three important factors. Initially, the umpire had to pause and determine if the ball would be fair/foul, caught or no catch on a sinking ball, (with field umpire in the C ) and he had to ensure the runner rounding third touched the bag. Lots of responsibilities prior to him trying to get 3rd base extended. At the end of the day. IMO, The catcher tagged the runner before he reached the plate and the problem was the 3rd base coach sending the runner on a shallow hit ball.

[@MrBaseballump]

There are 3 umpires. U1 was in A…

[@snapmalloy5556]

In a two man system with a man on 2nd that check swing better be VERY obvious or I wouldn't be calling a swing

[@willowbrook2717]

First it is 3 man. Second he appealed to the correct umpire. Third, what does having a runner on second have anything to do with appealing a checked swing? C'mon now.

[@aniwack]

Watching in super slow-mo, he's still out.

[@southernmissdude1]

The umpire needed to do a better job of anticipating the play at the plate and staying in the catcher's hip pocket as he swiveled, instead of only just barely getting into 3B line extended at the last possible moment. The ump was probably right, but his positioning and body language made it seem like he was wrong.

[@joelzand3594]

I have an umpire clinic you can come to in May 🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@josephthibodaux6033]

My first instinct was out at the plate

[@lakemichigan6598]

Without a properly positioned camera with slow motion and a rule stating a call can be overturned by clear evidence to the contrary from that camera, argument with the umpire over a call will always be fruitless.

[@lmnopotay7433]

Oh well, just wasted 4 minutes of my time watching Busch League baseball. 😀

[@howie9751]

@@lmnopotay7433 Did you mean Bush League?

[@brandonmilligan7706]

Even if you disagree with the call, you're the guy who made the terrible decision to send the runner, ball beat him, and its a swipe tag so it isn't going to be as obvious as if it were a tag down low on a slide attempt. He didn't sell the call enough for my taste, but it looks like the right call to me.

[@MarkAnthonyGray]

Nasty run , Didn't beat the ball but he did beat the catcher

[@500stoney]

In slo mo and given the camera angle, no contoversy...definitely out

[@romero8163]

Love all the comments from the greatest umpires from the stands. Just think how good they would be if they were on the field they would never miss a call

[@tarheelsfan1981]

Exactly.....always right but too scared to sign up

[@TR-vr5pz]

love the losers that dont understand baseball--like yourself

[@robertbrown7470]

This umpire was screwed no matter what. The dugout and fans were very fired up. He had a fantastic view of the play at home plate regardless of wedge technology and all that. Coach charging from the dugout - he's gone. His head height is really low behind the plate. His heel - toe stance is opposite of what it should be. Moving on the pitch as well. Those are the main things I noticed. He could have sold that call at the plate better but still looked like he had it nailed.

[@larrywilson6555]

Umpire has the best view. He is looking and listening Team and fans can’t complain on every call and expect to get a call in their favor.

[@bossfan49]

For everyone wondering...which is likely nearly everyone... this is AAA Atlantic League. Somerset (NJ) Patriots vs... not sure...maybe Long Island Ducks. Glen Barker is a former Houston Astro.

[@zgaviation6481]

it's not AAA...it is independent, unaffiliated baseball. They'll claim it's AAA-level play, but it's not even close

[@mae2759]

@@zgaviation6481 Yep, AAA only has the International League and West Coast (?) league.

[@zgaviation6481]

@@mae2759 It was the International League and Pacific Coast League. After the restructuring by MLB, now it's AAA East and AAA West

[@jonstewart7474]

The umpires positioning calling balls and strikes is horrendous

[@mikeloosemore6301]

It looks to be the hand barely beat the tag, but it’s funny how the third base coach and the first base dugout think that a guy standing 3 feet away is wrong

[@stephenherring]

You wasted 2:30 getting to the play. And then the video shows absolutely nothing to indicated whether the runner was safe or out. Catcher could have missed the tag but there is no way to tell in this video. Also, plate umpire was out of position to get a good look.

[@MississipVol]

2:45 to get to the play

[@leonmatthewsiv1699]

First thing I noticed, the umpire is out of position on the pitches...should be over the right shoulder of the catcher. Then, out of position on the play at the plate. We need to be down the 3rd base line, extended. Not saying the call was wrong, but if I'm on the "losing" side of this call that is what I am complaining about.

[@RichardMillerMMVVIDEO]

and for fans to complain your blocked by batter no way you can tell if there was a tag or not unless your up the line where the ump was

[@willowbrook2717]

The camera angle is even worse than the plate umpire's angle. No way to tell if he tagged him or not.

[@PhillMcRevis]

Looked out to me and I typically always go for the runner on bang bang plays.

[@alanhess9306]

I tend to get the out on bang bang plays. One team is going to disagree with either call, so you might as well get the out.

[@Daisyno2]

jackass hollering "Replay"

[@nasacollector3676]

I hear that once a game on bang bang plays, especially when working solo. I usually yell back "I called New York, they agreed with my call".

[@billbuffington3037]

Ump was in a bad position to see the gap between the runner and the catcher's glove.

[@garybowles9062]

Nice throw and tag; good base running; runner looked out; Coach added some drama; looks like a fun game for all involved

[@jstarr920]

He was safe.

[@alanhess9306]

@@jstarr920 Impossible to tell from the view we get.

[@tsquare9168]

The plate umpire can't call proper balls and strikes when his head is directly behind the catchers head. He's not in the slot between the catcher and batter with his head.

[@BigSkyCurmudgeon]

one of those gimme plays. throw in time, tag was down, tag held secure. if runner wasn't out, he should be. right call by Ump.

[@perfect1150]

Oh I'm sorry. I forgot the guy in the dugout 30 feet away has a much better angle on the play than I do. 3rd base coach is arguing to cover his fuck up for sending the runner.

[@alexh8613]

Based on the video, even in super-slow motion, you can't tell based on the angle. So the ump called him out, he's out. Did the catcher miss the tag, you can't tell. Although it is annoying all these comments saying that he clearly was out. You can't tell one way or the other from the angle that was provided. But it does seem that the ump had a better angle, and he called him out

[@billbuffington3037]

I agree with everything you said, except the final sentence. The ump needed to rotate towards the first base line, so he can see the space between the runner and the catcher's mitt. From behind the plate, the ump can't see if there is a 1 or 2 inch space between the runner and the glove.

[@nasacollector3676]

As a long time umpire at the High School, College and competitive adult league umpire, where 50% are minor & major league players, this umpire is an embarrassing example of why we are so hated. His game management skills are severely lacking, his zone is horrendous and he needs to call the coach out and tell him to control his players chirping. That said, this umpire is so incompetent, I'm sure this is how he's typically treated. The plate umpire looks like a sloppy kid who bought old gear from a used sporting goods store. Obviously he's afraid of getting hit so he hides behind the catcher, instead of setting up in the slot, so he can see the outside low pitch. He waves his fingers like a prom queen waving to the crowd when giving the count and he's so far out of position when calling the play at the plate. What I want to know is how in God's name this guy got to be an umpire at this level. What assigner would put him on high level games, when he is clearly over his head. Regardless of the call, I thought R3 was safe on the slide, if you're in 3rd base extended or my preference is the slot, at least you'll give yourself the best opportunity to see the tag. This guy needs to go do High School freshman or JV, not high level competitive ball.

[@ghstark]

The throw beat him but I can't tell if he made the tag.

[@reaper12bravo3]

I’ll tell u one thing, the other ump should not be where he’s at in the field! Completely in the way of the fielders & if the batter decides to bunt!

[@alanhess9306]

Reaper12Bravo, Don't tell us anything. You know nothing about umpire mechanics. The umpire was exactly where he was supposed to be.

[@danielsworld8832]

Timing is a little fast......he’s not third base extended.....either way I think he’s safe...

[@joecosgrove167]

i see it all the time..hand came into plate before the body tag..we call it a bang bang call..only a trained eye with can catch it..vectoring 5 things..runner, player, plate, ball ,tag timing. umpire was in the correct distance & angle. good call ump!

[@mattbasford6299]

The umpire is 3 feet away from the play and the coach is in the dugout. I'll go with the ump.

[@nasacollector3676]

Realize the umpire is in the worst possible place to see a tag. His view of a tag is blocked by R3 sliding and from that angle its impossible to get the call right. If the plate umpire was in extended 3rd base or a few feet towards 1st in the wedge, he can easily see the tag or no tag. This guy's mechanics are horrible, his setup in the strike zone is horrendous and he should be embarrassed for his lack of skill on the field.

[@jlh55]

The 3rd baseman should have been positioned at the bag and took that full speed turn going home not obstruction but he can take up a fielding position that losing one step makes a difference at the plate

[@bradmiller9121]

The Umpire's mechanica leave a lot to be desired. As has already been pointed out, he's late getting set, he isn't properly positioned on the pitch or the play. On the play at the plate he should be set at a 90* angle to the throw, leaving him in the perfect position to see if the tag was made. From his angle and the camera angle you can't be sure if he did or didn't tag him.

[@brady13001]

so you have a better view than the guy 3 ft away? gtfoh youtube ump

[@bradmiller9121]

Matthew, one of the things I require of the people who desire to interact with me is that they be able to read at a fourth grade level or higher. Did I make a judgement about the call? I did not. I only said that had the umpire's mechanics been better he would have put himself in a position to be absolutely correct. He didn't do that so his call was open to scrutiny, and rightly so. You can be 3 feet away from the play and with the wrong angle you have little chance of getting the call correct, but with the right angle you can be 90 feet away and never miss it. It's these angles, and the fluctuation of them during any given play that will not allow umpires to ever be replaced by robots.

[@brady13001]

Brad Miller and the seat from your MacBook or iPhone is a better angle than this guy had? Gtfoh.

[@bradmiller9121]

Matthew, please tell me where I said the ump got the call wrong. Can you do that for me?

[@brianna5714]

i redid this video i looked at it over 25 times and in a .05 speeds he got the tag in the upper arm by his elbow

[@cloudwatcher724]

not so much the call as the lack of hustle on the part of the plate umpire. 95% of the time the best angle on plays at the plate is third baseline extended; then you adjust from there (wedge). although he had plenty of time as the play developed, the plate umpire barely moved from behind the point of the plate. third baseline extended would have given him the perfect angle on this play. from where he was standing, i doubt that he actually saw the tag. a little more movement into proper position would have helped him sell this call, right or wrong.

[@livefreebehappy666]

Watching in slowmo, looks like he made the tag.

[@justafanintexas7913]

Except the catcher admitted later he missed him.

[@michaelhorsey5871]

@@justafanintexas7913 Can you show us that video?

[@justafanintexas7913]

@@michaelhorsey5871 - What video? He was quoted in the newspapers. Makes you look smart, eh?

[@michaelhorsey5871]

justafanintexas can you show us the paper?

[@justafanintexas7913]

@@michaelhorsey5871 - No, why are too stupid to do research - OR - are you one of those people that has tho see everything to believe it? Hers's one you didn't see - Columbus made it. I go with the former.

[@marcwasmund2689]

Guys....u can see he got tagged before his hand touched the plate

[@Viohouse]

Too all of the Umpires "Blue" in the stands, there is a huge Umpire shortage. Local High School leagues are paying $75.00 for a varsity contest that will last about 3 hours... We need ya!

[@tomcooper6108]

No controversy....out! Good call ...... usually, if the catcher receives the ball and is turned to tag the runner, it's an easy call.

[@evansiggson]

At most it's a bang bang play. The offensive team is acting like he butchered an easy call.

[@jamesmartin4518]

Does it bother anyone else that the umpires head is right behind the catchers head. With someone his height how could he see the whole plate? He needs to shift off center a bit more.

[@scott6760]

Played this on my phone and slowed it down he was most definetly safe

[@dahillbillynews5923]

If you want to piss off an Umpire start singing 3 Blind Mice! I should know I have been and still am an Umpire!

[@jordanissport]

Oh look, a fellow umpire checking out ejections. Must be that season!

[@dalemcilwain]

Right call at the plate. Very wrong for ejecting the player protesting the call.

[@scootdaws25]

What was that base ump in the field of play? It looked like he was obstructing the infielders on the left side

[@kensnyder8941]

Three man mechanics, he was exactly where he is supposed to be.

[@seanlynskey9235]

Good call

[@1DAVE1219]

I watched replay 10 times . I can’t tell either way . Honestly . You don’t argue like this unless there are other things going on that happened earlier in the game . Ok

[@jimsciulli1001]

Good call - OUT!

[@yeah1746]

Love the armchair KZbin umps! Let's see: Here we have an umpire who is calling a game at this level, in a major city, with a competitive pool of close to a thousand umpires regionally, maybe another 2000 if you hit neighboring associations within 100 miles. 90% here on KZbin says, "He sucks." Trust me folks, you don't walk into a game like this unless you know your book, know your mechanics, worked the strike zone with the machine, and called more than a few games. That said, the ball was at the plate 20 minutes before the player. Shitty slide... no swim... 3rd base coach sends him on a one bounce blooper just off the dirt.... the team and its fan base should save their energy to "argue" the next set of balls and strikes. Yours Truly, Bob Uecker

[@jeffl9203]

Tell em Bob!

[@snapmalloy5556]

"YOU MISSED THE CALL! YOU MISSED THE CALL!"

[@zgaviation6481]

not an armchair umpire, I evaluate umpires for a living. These are some of the worst mechanics and most sloppy appearance that I have ever seen. I would never hire this umpire ever, just on looks alone. That said, he gets the call right

[@vitesse_arnhem]

@@zgaviation6481 It’s the Atlantic League. Atlantic is an ancient Navajo word for bush

[@billbob4997]

Must be quarter beer night judging by the fans. Why are these fans so into a minor league game? Terrible base running, he should have easily scored, he hesitated too long and should have been closer to third than second, even if caught, the guy was laid out. And what's up with doofus faking a hit by pitch on the elbow? What a bunch of babies.

[@mikesmith7780]

No way that guy was safe!

[@cloudwatcher724]

look at 2:54. do YOU see a tag? (hint: neither did the plate umpire...)

[@pac401]

And the capacity crowd erupted in boos for the ump.

[@jakep.9426]

Several glaring signs tell me this guy never went to pro school or any sort of serious umpire training: His Wilson Gold leg guards still have that ridiculous flap on them, his plate positioning is way too low and right behind the catcher, he doesn't go 3BL extended, and his timing is WAAAY too quick. This umpire should consider going to one of the pro schools or an NCAA clinic where they can help him correct some of these bad habits and make his game better. I say this because he can (mostly) look the part and clearly can deal with stress well, he just needs some polishing on mechanics to set him up for success.

[@nsswaha15123]

Jake P. He shouldn’t have gone third baseline extended would have helped a little bit should be right up near the catcher using the wedge

[@andyward8062]

My opine . . . if he tagged him, he's out. I can't tell if he tagged him.

[@FactsMatter]

You know what would have saved this umpire from much of this argument? (It isn't controversy, that's for sure...) .... the way he carries himself on the field. Dancing around, shaking his fingers with the count, and that horrific "out" mechanic at the plate are all sending a message of unprofessionalism. HE GOT THE CALL RIGHT! But he acts so lax on the field that he basically tells everyone else to treat him like a joke - and they did. Crisp, clear calls, voice, and mechanics that aren't showy may be boring on routine plays, but they condition teams, managers, and crowds to treat you with respect when you come up with a bigger call on a bang-bang play.

[@joshuanmemphis73]

Hearing the fans screaming he got under the tag......THAT IS FUNNY!!!! Did he dig a hole under him....lol

[@justafanintexas7913]

No, but he did get under the catcher's glove putting him under the tag. Now what, Mensa?

[@BigBear48]

Jesus these fans are ruthless. Even watching at 0.25x speed I still can't tell if he's out or safe.

[@BigSkyCurmudgeon]

balderdash! that $2.50 ticket makes them expert umpires.

[@bdickinson6751]

Yeah, I'm to the point where I can't eve watch 2A anymore. The fans act like a bunch of thugs.

[@jeffreyramsdell4781]

Only issue is if he tagged him! From the video I can’t see it. But if he did tag him He was out!!

[@MichaelVA2012]

Plate umpire getting set way late and still moving as the pitches are delivered.

[@whatsupbud100]

Umpire behind the pitcher called the strike sense when he call it. Isn't it 3rd base ump

[@alanhess9306]

This is 3 man mechanics and he is where he is supposed to be. There is no umpire at 3rd base. He must make a call on the checked swing when asked.

[@davesteelss3454]

Looks out to me

[@Bathrobedad-Chocolate]

What's the controversy

[@randallsavage3795]

wow, there is a stadium full of umpires in the stands that apparently got a better look at that play then the home plate umpire a few feet away. It's a thankless job that u are never noticed until someone objects to a call.

[@cloudwatcher724]

yeah, but it's even more thankless when not done properly. yes, he is "a few feet away". but he is nowhere near the proper positioning for this play. look at 2:54. the runner's body is between his head and the catcher's mitt. there is no direct line-of-sight to a tag, not to mention the runner's hand touching the plate. finally, his out call mechanic looks more like a county fair dance step than any kind of professional signal one would learn in a high level umpire camp. overall, not a good visual here.

[@jeffeers1604]

GOOD CALL...PLAY WENT TO NEW YORK FOR REVIEW...AFTER REPLAY....PLAY STANDS AS CALLED...OUT!

[@kenthomas4668]

I would of called him out. 1) Ball beat him which in old days was enough usually. 2) He didn't clearly miss the tag. 3) Impossible to tell without a different angle from where ump was standing.

[@nasacollector3676]

You know what, the old days of doing things in baseball aren't always the best. Like every sport players have progressed, so the umpires should be willing to invest time and energy to improve a faster and more dynamic game. Let's face it, the pitching at high school, college and minor leagues has improved dramatically over the last 10 years. The ball moves like never before, so as umpires, we need to improve our mechanics and skill to keep up. Clearly this plate umpire is incompetent and is in dire need of advanced mechanics training. It ain't rocket science, but it takes time, willingness to learn and the ability to learn new skills because the old way of doing things doesn't always work in this game.

[@firstname7330]

Who is Glen Barker?

[@BigSkyCurmudgeon]

incorrect. i think the proper question is......just who the fuck is glen barker

[@mjb2424]

The umpire found himself with NOT the best view of tag so it's kind of guess on his part... That's why you need to start in the "extended 3rd base position that all professional pires are taught!

[@davidlarsen-tj4tn]

New Jerseys own Somerset Patriots! Greatest team in Atlantic League history and now Yankees AA team!

[@acehyatt44]

My guy has to move to 3rd base extended, but the call looked good.

[@TomHaney]

call looked good..... PU was 3rd baseline extended (almost) - ball was there & tag was down. I am thinking that the rest of his game is what got all the complaints as his mechanics were terrible!

[@2076spider]

Not sure if safe or out..but horrible plate mechanics overall

[@marcgdrevich1587]

what is with the audio guy . . .

[@michaelmack9376]

Hmm, pro level ball? I'm a little surprised. I'm not sure whether the call at home was good or not, but the plate umpire isn't using great mechanics on any of this. He's way too low calling pitches, not really in the slot (although the catcher is squeezing him). On the play at home, he would have been much better off being on the 3rd base extended foul line and even better if he'd have used the wedge, which is the preferred pro mechanic now. Honestly, I'm a little surprised this guy is calling pro ball. He may have gotten the call right at home, can't really tell, but just in general a lot of the techniques he's using just seems like a lower level umpire.

[@owenroga6882]

Lol

[@sigmaprime8197]

lol so heres my take.... why does the baserunner on 2nd look like hes holding a glock

[@TacoStacks]

What is this semi-pro?

[@mashmore98]

Independent league professional baseball. Atlantic League.

[@michaeldipietro5010]

i live in York. i'm a short walk to the stadium. i was trying to think of the teams. at least i had the away team, Long Island Ducks, right. i noticed a Somerset sign before seeing the Patriots crest.

[@Bessy21]

Michael Di Pietro go barnstormers;) jk. Wally Backman is the manager for the Bees and he’s the man

[@umpinchief]

Whoever assigned the PU needs to be fired. Very poor mechanics and demeanor from the PU.

[@critter2]

professional? i think not

[@tedgey4286]

Was the batter hbp with the first check swing?

[@bonwatcher]

The throw was in time, but it sure looked like the runner slid around the tag.

[@jimsweikata5571]

The batter: Number 5: had to adjust his gloves and arm pad after every pitch. (?)

[@danearley2767]

Why is this umpire not in slot?

[@donjenkins8189]

Hand him some money then he’ll change his mind on a judgement call😂😬😭😆⚾️

[@StellarWishGaming2002]

Play starts at 2:45

[@jessejordan2095]

He didn’t tag him in time

[@jcearnhardt393]

What am I missing? Looks clearly out to me from the camera angle. Ball arrived plenty of time. Catcher in perfect position. Out. Must be posted by one of them drunk big mouth fans

[@dougthegreat1808]

Who is that plate guy and how did he get that job!? BTW he was out at home!!!!!!!!!!

[@smithjoe4590]

Looks li!e a good call in slowmo good job ref

[@kahunava]

Based on the catchers reaction I don’t think he made the tag