Angel Hernandez Foul Tip Call on Torkelson Not Reviewable as Umpire Says Batter Swung, But Did He?

Tigers manager AJ Hinch briefly argued with umpires after HP Umpire Angel Hernandez's foul tip call during Spencer Torkelson's at-bat was deemed non-reviewable, because the umpire ruled that Torkelson swung at the pitch...but did he? Article: www.closecalls...
Buy Me a Coffee: www.buymeacoff...
Discord: / discord
Facebook: / closecallsports
Twitter: / closecallsports
We reference past videos Ejection 3 (Vic Carapazza / Dylan Moore) and Ejection 4 (Mike Muchlinski / Derek Shelton), also concerning check swing issues, to determine two things.
First, that check swings are not reviewable plays, and
Second, that the home plate umpire is trained to call swings themself.
Accordingly, this reviewable HBP vs foul tip (not a foul ball!) issue was rendered not reviewable because umpire Hernandez deemed that batter Torkelson struck at the pitch, meaning that an outcome of a hit-by-pitch, take first base call was impossible, due to the batter swinging at the pitch that may have hit him.
However, it is not entirely correct that this play is NEVER reviewable. For example, if the catcher were to have continued playing and tried picking off a runner (either successfully or throwing the ball into the outfield and allowing the runners to advance and score), this would be an important review for foul tip vs dead ball strike (ball hitting batter as they swing at it [based on the umpire's call of "swing"]).
A foul tip is a LIVE BALL, meaning any of the catcher's actions, outs, runs scored, etc., would all count.
But a dead ball strike (ball hitting batter) is a dead ball, meaning none of the catcher's actions and results would count. Similarly, a foul ball (the primary difference between tip and ball is a foul tip is caught by the catcher, a foul ball is not caught by the catcher) would be a dead ball.

[@iamsithazagoth3728]

Everything Angel Hernandez calls should be reviewable.

[@Joshualibbyy]

I'm the crew chief of this comment section... U OUTTA HERE!!!!

[@Dad-vice]

Corrected: Everything Angel Hernandez calls should be overturned.

[@chocolatecoveredgummybears]

LOL

[@robertbennett2586]

The umps for the Rangers/Rays series were terrible. We just have bad umpiring in the MLB..

[@tygrahof9268]

@@robertbennett2586 Makes me want to join the union and get hired as you CLEARLY don't need to be able to see.

[@nathanc8478]

So Angel is calling that a swing, and the Ump in Seattle called a check swing on a full swing? They are starting this year off with a bang.

[@tmlms1313]

Angel called it a foul tip, see the mechanic. It wasn't the "yes, he swung". Doesn't matter if you're swinging at the pitch for it to be a foul tip.

[@TheTapeandscissors]

​​@@tmlms1313it's not a foul tip either. What is the defense here? Angel is still making the wrong call.

[@tmlms1313]

@@TheTapeandscissors The call was it hit the knob of the bat and then caught by the catcher. That's a foul tip. What else could that be?

[@nathanc8478]

@@tmlms1313 yes it does because if it was a check swing and it hit the player on review and not the bat then it is hit-by-pitch. Since Angel said it was a strike, the play was not reviewable because you cannot be hit-by-pitch when the batter makes an attempt to strike the ball. That is what this whole video was about. And there was a video the other day about an actual swing that was called a check swing and hit-by-pitch (also in the video here).

[@tmlms1313]

@@nathanc8478 It was called a foul tip and a foul tip is a swing, why is that so hard for you to understand? Once ruled a swing it cannot be reviewed to change to a HBP. It's really not that complicated.

[@Phil007QOS]

My question is if it was his original call that he swung then why start to put the ear pieces in for review? Neither Angel or Barksdale realized about a swing until 2B ump comes in?? Something fishy to me. Glad it didn’t affect outcome.

[@pyRoy6]

I'm guessing it's an easy rule to forget in the moment? Maybe the 2nd base ump was reminding them that it's not reviewable?

[@juliebraden6911]

The Nixon reference really got me. Thank you for the unexpected laugh.

[@mitchfitz4259]

Angel being Angel.

[@cocopuffs6875]

2:03 his eyes were literally closed lollll

[@stephenj9470]

Haha nice catch. Probably flinching from the foul tip, but at this stage, you shouldn't be flinching for that.

[@natyong]

Yes nice catch! 1:59 is a better time stamp though so you can actually see his eyes go from open to close right before it hits catchers glove! Make Ump's eyes open a reviewable call!

[@visarr]

Maybe related, - I've seen pictures of pro golfers at impact and many have their eyes closed.

[@juliebraden6911]

🤪 L I T E R A L L Y 🤪

[@mclew1234]

The issue is here is the lack of explanation. After seeing it from the front angle Angel missed the call but had the correct reasoning. I see the order of things occurring as 1. Hernandez initially calls foul tip believing the ball hit the knob (seeing the front angle it actually was bat on glove). 2. Torkelson tells his bench it hit him so Tigers go to challenge as HBP is reviewable 3. The umpires are prepping for reply, but the 2nd base umpire comes in and asks did you rule it an attempt to offer at the pitch 4. Hernandez says yes Torkelson was offering at the pitch, therefore by definition in the act of swinging. 5. As he rules a swing there is nothing for Detroit to challenge. They won't review it as foul tip as nothing else happened & there is nothing for Detroit to challenge at this point regardless of it the play is reviewable or not

[@FUGP72]

Anyone who claims ALL announcers are homers needs to listen to Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez. You would never know which team they are employed by.

[@alanhess9306]

The announcers on this video don't know the difference between a foul ball and a foul tip.

[@1969EType]

I am picking up what you are putting down...sort of. I can't fully agree with you that Cohen, Darling and Hernandez are so unbiased that "you would never know which team they are employed by." But, I will say 1) this booth is amongst the best booths in the game today and 2) they are amongst the most balanced of booths in the game today meaning yes...they generally do not provide a 100% NYM bias. But, they have had their moments. In closing, I am not a NYM fan. If my team is not playing and the NYM are, I will tune in to these guys because I frequently learn something while listening. If my team is playing the NYM, I will listen to these guys on those games too because my team's booth are homers.

[@PsychoThirteen]

That's because most announcers have a team cheer for, but EVERYBODY has an Angel Hernandez they cheer against! Just sayin'...

[@r.a.contrerasma8578]

They put the H in homers. Who's paying you? 😂😂😂

[@juliebraden6911]

Obvious bias detected

[@DGF2]

I'm pretty sure (sorta kinda) that the ball tipped the bottom of the bat, and that's what the noise was before it hit the glove.

[@chrisdar79]

The fact that Angel is still allowed to be on the field let alone get behind home plate shows that MLB really doesn't give a rip about the quality of their umpires. Angel is as clueless as someone that has never even watched a single game of baseball.

[@teebob21]

Could you umpire better than Angel Hernandez? If so, why are you not working AAA games?

[@flairwhoo]

At what point did Angel actually say it was a swing? Because "foul tip" doesn't equal swing and if it's not called a swing it's reviewable. Did Angel really be like "l'm calling it a swing because then you my call stands"? Because that's how it looks

[@nealtircuit9373]

MLB: Let’s see if we can ruin baseball with rules. Angel Hernandez: Don’t worry I got this.

[@robertbluestein7800]

“I am not a crook”. lol. Best line ever and I bet most of the audience isn’t old enough to get the reference. Kids, appeal this joke to your parents!

[@Joe_Okey]

I am old enough, lol. Richard Nixon said this during a speech during the Watergate scandal.

[@danballe]

I will say it Again! This channel´'s editor ir reaching peak levels, if not already there.

[@Davidtjr36]

that edit made me laugh

[@QuarrelsomeLocalOaf]

It would be kinda funny if upon announcing his retirement, Hernandez said "you won't have Angel to kick around anymore."

[@Yumi_Jay]

My grandmother quotes this all the time when referring to Nixon while doing the peace sign thing.

[@jarryd8167]

Your videos are helpful in developing my skills, thank you!

[@SkinnyCow.]

Anyone who sued the MLB and lost should be thrown out of umpiring

[@mptr1783]

So did Angel call a swing or did he call a foul tip strike?

[@alvinthecat8426]

Was watching this live. My CCS education had me way ahead on this one. I guessed AH called it a swing before all the fuss. Didn't look like a swing, but we know judgement of a swing can be subjective. All in all AH actually did a decent job behind the plate, he fell apart a bit at the end. Thanks for posting.

[@danger170388]

All you have to do is put "Angel Hernandez" in the title

[@Jewdacus]

I turned off the game bc I had to go to work right before this AB, but this was the best game Angel had called in years. It's not his fault the Mets can't score and the game went 11 innings. Asking him not to F up for 10 is a lot. 11 it's on us. All of us.

[@sjp35productions6]

I would not have called this a swing. I think a better explanation would be to call the foul tip, then the out, then add “I’ve got ball hitting the knob of the bat.”

[@teebob21]

But that doesn't track by rule. If the ball hit the knob, you have a live ball foul tip, not a dead ball strike.

[@sjp35productions6]

@@teebob21 Per my second sentence, I went through the procession of mechanics and should change “call the foul tip” to “signal the foul tip, then signal the out.” I add the statement “I’ve got ball hitting the knob of the bat” to prevent either bench from trying to challenge the call.

[@lastdance2099]

I'm confused. He clearly called a foul tip, so how did that become a swing call?

[@duelist301]

because they originally wanted to challenge that it wasn't a foul tip but in fact a hbp (hitting him in the hands) while not swinging. That is challengeable. However by rule if batter swings and gets hit by a pitch that is considered a dead ball strike instead of hbp. That is not reviewable as swing/no swing is a judgement call.

[@StephenMintz]

Ohhh Angel, how big is your ego that you just insist on staying in the big leagues? Oh it’s THAT big?? Oh.

[@deanwademvpchairman5460]

Angel calling the wrong count at the end killed me 😂

[@vandebunted]

New MLB rule proposal: "Any call involving Angel Hernandez is automatically reviewable."

[@danny6032]

He’s probably permanently disqualified from the World Series but if he were to get picked, both teams should consider forfeiting to avoid the risk he blows a call that decides who wins. Him being behind the plate for game 7 is a nightmare scenario.

[@r.a.contrerasma8578]

"I am not a crook" Who edits these gems?

[@ericblair5731]

Why is this not catchers interference. If it's ruled a swing and the bat hits the catchers glove isn't that hindrance?

[@ingiford175]

Shhh, let Angel call the game as he wants it....

[@MwD676]

Looks weird, but the bat did not actually contact the mitt.

[@raymondkoch1451]

MLB is letting angel ruin baseball games. This is just as much mlb fault as it is Angela's no other workplace would let a fuck up like this stay employed.

[@AEMoreira81]

I am also wondering if this should have been catcher’s interference. Did the bat brush the mitt?

[@charlessampson7862]

How does Angel still have a job. He is a disgrace

[@randybreuer1685]

It should be about making the right call.

[@richblunt1309]

Just amazing how he makes the news consistently.

[@bruceboman9801]

Angel or otherwise, goes to show you, managers don't know the rules. Forget about the announcers, they report on emotion anyway. However, Gary, Ron, and Keith with the Mets work to get it right, not be homers.

[@TheTapeandscissors]

Angel called 10% of a check a swing. Get a grip.

[@garygemmell3488]

Angel Hernandez. Ruining baseball one pitch at a time. He knows that not a single person in baseball, from the bullpen to the front office, wants him out there. All he's doing is collecting a paycheck and time in service to boost his retirement pay.

[@twain3074]

and Hernandez continues to wonder why he doesn't get to be a crew chief and never get to call a postseason game.. 🙄

[@bdogg20101]

Then again why is Angel's eyes closed as the ball reaches the catcher??? No wonder he screwed up that call. He didnt even see the play

[@aro327]

Everything should be reviewable.

[@derekc7753]

There is no explaining or defending Angel Hernandez's calls.

[@john_mccarthy_hi]

Roboumps thank Angel Hernandez for his contributions 🎉

[@teebob21]

What would RoboUmp have called on this swing/check swing? I was unaware that Trackman was evaluating swings now.

[@chucklebutt4470]

@@teebob21 Yeah, it's a subjective call.

[@gsf23]

I am convinced that Angel has some stuff on the top MLB brass. There is no other explanation as to why this man still has a job in MLB. He has easily been the worst umpire in baseball for the last 15 years at least.

[@chipcoz]

is it legal to bunt with the knob of the bat?

[@garygemmell3488]

Nope.

[@mae2759]

Yes.

[@MwD676]

You can bunt with any part of the bat, but a bunt must be intentional.

[@bethhentges]

I was taught and we practiced knob bunts.

[@jihyotwice3159]

Get rid of Angel Hernandez. He got so many bad calls that he had to stick to his Race defense instead of admitting to his bad eyes and arrogant demeanor.

[@soundofabaseballhittingaglove]

You rock! I love this channel…!♥️⚾️

[@danhenderson7010]

Angel was in his own little world on that play.

[@formercoach1202]

On that play? Try every play of every game.

[@chucklogan9611]

Hernandez call should be cause for immediate reviews! This guy is single handily destroying the game of Baseball. He needs to be sent down to Little League. Horrible Umpire

[@sethheasley9538]

What we you do without him? He...completes...you!

[@GregMcNeish]

Okay, so first off that's definitely not a swing by virtue of the batter trying to strike the ball. I think we can all agree on that. I am a bit ignorant on the rules, so hopefully someone can help me understand. If the ball hits the bat during a check swing, that's considered a swing normally. I know that because check swing fair balls happen reasonably often. What about the knob of the bat? To my eyes, it looks on the replay like it may have grazed the knob while he was checking the swing, rather than hitting the hands. Is that the same as it hitting any other part of the bat, thus making it a foul tip off the knob, which thus makes it a swing due to contact? Is that perhaps what Angel's ruling was?

[@formercoach1202]

If the ball hits any part of the bat and is immediately caught by the catcher, it is a foul tip and a live ball. If it hits any part of the batter, including the hands it is a dead ball. If it hits the batter, the umpire then needs to determine if the batter swung at the pitch or not. If he is deemed to have swung, this is a dead ball strike. If he is not deemed to have swung and the pitch was not within the strike zone, it is a HBP. If he was hit, and it would be a called strike, it is a dead ball strike. If if the pitch hits the bat and is not caught immediately by the catcher, then fair foul ball rules apply to the batter ball.

[@FuryNotFurry]

Wasnt a swing, but it didnt hit him either

[@DonTrump-sv1si]

Questioning Angel Hernandez is racist and stuff

[@LD-du3xx]

Angel has missed so many calls. He alone is going to make his profession obsolete. They will go automatic soon. These replays do a 100% better job.

[@patrickhyde6125]

Ok, let's play the silly game that slow motion, multiple reviews and stop action should substitute for all live action calls. I think the ball hit the end of the bat and grazed the batter's glove. Since the ball grazed the batter's glove the ball did not go directly from the bat to the catcher's glove. Therefore, it is not a foul tip by definition. It is a foul ball. But since the batter interfered with the ball preventing it from being a foul tip, a live ball, and a potential throw out, it is batter interference, a dead ball, the runner on third returns to second and the batter is out for interference. If in the opinion of the umpire the runner on third would have been called out, the umpire can also call the runner on third out. Both are out. Since the ball hit the bat and the batter thus constructively intended to swing at the ball, that is why he hit it, it is a strike - whether he changed his intent in time or not. Isn't that what Hernandez called it - a strike. I guess he was right.

[@ronpeacock9939]

Sadly, for MLB this is reviewable by us.. again, another replay that proves Angel has NO BUSINESS on or near a baseball field. It clearly shows this man does NOT know what a swing is... #FIREANGEL

[@danny6032]

I cannot believe it took so long for his discrimination lawsuit to get dismissed.

[@mikeryan2838]

Just make every judgement call reviewable. Each team gets 2 challenges to lose. If a call is overturned, you keep the challenge.

[@bobbihn9333]

Tork's bat is straight vertical, no swing whatsoever!

[@swagmuffin9000]

mlb should use this next time angel sues them. he doesn't even know the rules he is enforcing.

[@darinlegore284]

they also think "hands are part of the bat?" NOT!

[@robbowantsadonna]

I actively seek out games where Angel is behind the plate on the MLB network, regardless of the team, just to watch all his nonsense and falderal unfold in real time.

[@DurkMcGerk]

"Spencer Torkelson's Armada featuring Angel Hernandez"

[@Hrothfuurd]

"I am not a crook!" Lol 😂

[@stephenherring]

The ball looked like it may have tipped the nub of the bat which would make it a foul tip. That may be what he called.

[@kinkaid7477]

That looked like his initial signal.

[@stevenbeshures6962]

How is Angel Hernandez still in the league? What are we doing major league baseball? What in the hell are we actually freaking doing how many teams managers and players have to have a problem with this dude every time he’s the Homeplate first base or any base empire on any field It’s ridiculous get rid of him

[@mr.larocca5150]

It may be the home plate umps call (by the book) but it shouldn't be. They are watching the pitch and blink when the pitch is caught. 1st base has a much better view. A plate umpire who resists an appeal has an ego that is much too big.

[@teebob21]

We don't blink when the ball is caught or hit. How many games a year do you work?

[@mr.larocca5150]

@@teebob21 it's literally on the video big guy.

[@71bxboy]

He is just awful, how the F did he get his job.

[@spazz743]

When are they going to get rid of "Devil" Hernandez!?

[@colonialstraits1069]

I can’t believe he still calls MLB games.

[@kevinstull8552]

I guess an umpire health plan doesn't come with vision correction. It's something they don't believe in 😂.

[@GrantCameron37]

First week of the season and Angel is already screwing up big time. How many videos covering Angel's mistakes will there be before the end of the baseball season?

[@teebob21]

I hate to defend this call (it's indefensible) but sometimes umpires get it wrong on a check swing. Doesn't matter if your name is Angel, Jim, Joe, or Bill Klem. It happens. It's not great, but it happens. In fact, it probably happens less often than an infielder boots a routine ground ball. MLB infielder fielding percentage averages out year over year at about .970. That's a 3% error rate, or 1 in 33. I'm almost certain that plate umpires, even those named Angle Hernandez, don't miss this call more often than 1 in 33. The crew will see this replay, and learn from it. Life will go on.

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

At this point I think he has something some leverage on MLB execs. Maybe some D1ddy/Epsti3n photos or lists or something.

[@TheOnlyHobbs]

It's the union.

[@grife3000]

At some point Angel will have to retire just to save whatever face he has left. Right?

[@elbarto3802]

at some point, Mr Hernandez has to go....come on MLB and umpire union.....

[@moose2021]

I just want to say that it's wonderful that MLB is creating opportunities for blind umpires.

[@VTSteve]

That was Horseshit, those incidents need to be reviewble, MLB get your heads out of the darkness!!

[@priceright8963]

Trouble always seems to find Angel.

[@JaZzure79]

I do not know what a swing is, I never did. A swing does not exist. When I see a person flying back and forth on a long, narrow seat vertically attached to a beam, I will appeal to the first base umpire for a ruling.

[@cameronburrell5651]

I thought he was no longer an umpire

[@babababad]

He was injured most of last year and did a rehab stint in AAA towards the end of the summer.

[@Yumi_Jay]

And he still stinks.

[@offbrandsoup2579]

How is he not fired immediately after the game 😂

[@randolphscudder2372]

The MLB is a joke as long as Angel Hernandez continues to be allowed to act like an umpire. He should be banned from baseball because of his gambling ties, as every game he's in is a gamble for the integrity of the game.

[@WKS32]

Lance Barksdale gets on the mic: The call is not reviewable under normal rules. *However, as the umpire making the call is wearing number 5, the call becomes reviewable.* On further review, the call is overturned.

[@auscolpyrtosspott9175]

Angel could have a 100% game but still get grief because he's been so bad for so long.

[@skydiverclassc2031]

3:00 "I am not a crook". Heh.

[@csnide6702]

Hernandez is a lousy Umpire, but Torkelson can't hit anyhow.........

[@jamesrivera6068]

He made the call, it is what it is. The managers ate always so clueless with the rules.

[@ClarinoI]

Too much jumping around on this video. I don't even know what the issue is. Apart from that Angel Hernandez sucks.

[@felixvazquez360]

Angel hernandez need to retire

[@snowz29]

I have not the slightest clue witch clip I'm supposed to be watching.

[@forbiddencrystalinternet6201]

ALL PLAYS SHOULD BE REVIEWABLE. END OF DISCUSSION. F*CK NY.

[@deputyduffy]

Angel Hernandez...lol

[@cmoff22]

The blue mask is awful

[@bigpoppa1234]

"didn't swing". nonsense. compare the swing on the call to his non-swing the pitch before when his bat doesn't even move off his shoulder at all.

[@critter2]

Announcers need to shut up till they understand the damn rules

[@FUGP72]

Which announcer do you think didn't know the rules? The Mets announcers seemed to know the rules more than the umpires. And gave those rules eve though those rules would have hurt the Mets even more.

[@alanhess9306]

@@FUGP72 I don't know whose announcers they were but one of the announcers on this video called a foul tip a foul ball.

[@a51xanthor4]

mets are trash! i watched til the 7th and watched this vid and found out they killed late!

[@chriscampbell2670]

Clearly Angel Hernandez is as blind as bat he must make the call in his mind before the pitch is even made.

[@jeffrust8947]

Worst fuckin ump ever

[@AhusluhXXXratedEmpireTV]

My god Angel messy. he get wrong call 🤦🏿‍♂🤦🏿‍♂🥴🥴