Orioles: Border call (updated)
The Orioles should have been the poster team for the imposition of video replay to review disputed home runs. No O's fan worth his or her salt isn't still fuming about the Jeffrey Maier fiasco that may have cost the Orioles a chance to go to the World Series in 1996.
It only took another 13 years to get a system in place that would have overturned that Derek Jeter home run, and now it's been used twice to take home runs away from the Orioles.
The first one was last week in Seattle, when a drive by Aubrey Huff was ruled a foul ball after originally being ruled a home run. That was definitely the right call. The second was tonight, when a shot by Melvin Mora into the left field bleachers was called back because of fan interference. I'm not so sure about that one.
If it is obvious that the outfielder would have caught the ball before a fan reached into the field of play to prevent the catch, the ball is to be ruled an out under baseball rules. The fan definitely interfered with Endy Chavez's attempt to make the catch, but it was not as clear that he broke the plane of the fence to prevent the catch. Generally, if the ball has entered the stands, it's considered fair game for the fans, but the umpires ruled that the fan did reach into the field of play.
Home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom explained the ruling to me after the game, and nobody really disputed his account, though it might have been a little more contentious if the call had cost the Orioles the game.
"The fan reached over the fence and hit his cap in Endy's glove as the ball got there,'' Cederstrom said. "He would have caught the ball."
It was the first time that a home run has been reviewed at Camden Yards.
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Comments
The fan reached over and placed his hand and hat inside of the Seattle outfielder.
Posted by: Scott | June 9, 2009 9:11 PM
How can that play be ruled an out? That would have been an unbelieveable catch without the interference and I doubt the LFer would have caught that ball. It should have been ruled a double. I hope the call doesn't come back and bite the O's.
Posted by: Victor | June 9, 2009 9:30 PM
Again Trembley shows he can't manage. Yes, they won, but how do you pull a guy that's cruising along for a shutout? Absolutely classless. Who cares if the guy goes out and gives up a run or two --- Sherrill is supposed to be able to come in and get the team out of a jam-- he's the closer!
Posted by: Ben | June 9, 2009 9:49 PM
No comparison between the jeffrey Meier call and this one,the ball was 2 foot overthe fence and the fan did not reach out onto the playing field as Cedarstrom exhorts.The fan had just as much right to that ball as the outfielder and the fact that as usual Trembley doesn't even open his mouth and even make a minor complaint just ticks me off.Outstanding game by both Weiters and Bergeson,and another great effort by Reimold.Still think we would be 5 or 6 games better had we started the season with Weiters behind the plate and the young arms in the 4th and 5th spot instead of Hendrickson and Eaton.The pitchers like pitching to him and for a rookie,you don't see him get shook off hardly at all,even by the veterans,and he presents an awesome target behind the plate.and you know his hitting will come around.And I'm pretty sure the Pie experiment is finished.Nolan is the real deal.
Posted by: Burt from Essex | June 10, 2009 5:54 AM
Was the fan ejected?
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Pete's reply: I didn't see him get removed, but I'm not sure.
Posted by: Tom Hedrick | June 10, 2009 1:13 PM