#umpires

Last night the Boston Red Sox lost the 3rd game of the World Series and today no one really knows why. Honestly. The Cardinals are confused too.

Well, the crux of it is that Craig, the Cardinals player with a near-broken foot, tripped over Middlebrooks, the Sox fielder as he attempted to catch a ball—also known as doing his job, as he ran to home plate. The MLB rule book stipulates that this collision is considered obstruction. As a a result, Craig was awarded home and the Sox lost.

But you know what? I watched that play multiple times and several things were clear: 1) there was zero intent to trip the Cardinals base runner 2) the runner was in fact thrown out at home with ample time regardless of tripping and 3) there was more than enough room for Craig to run home to the left of Middlebrooks…he did not need to run over him.

Of course the rule book is what it is. And, just to bring up some fun baseball history, Indians OF Albert Belle once physically elbowed a Brewers 2nd Baseman to the ground in an attempt to prevent a double play, resulting in a broken nose. Belle did it quite intentionally and said so unapologetically. Both that incident and the one last night were considered obstruction, intent be damned. Well that is fair. Hardly.

Players, coaches, and fans are all confused. Those in the game do not question what the written rule states. They are questioning its validity, and rightfully so. It simply makes no sense to not distinguish between an intentional act and something that happens as part if the game.

I know there are many people who also want to ban home plate collisions. This might seem off topic but it is not. Rather, it illustrates a desire to make Baseball into a completely non contact sport, by micromanaging it play by play. Sorry, but the unpredictability and human element of the sport is what makes it fun to watch.

I don’t know if Boston could have pulled off a win had this play gone a different direction. For me that’s irrelevant. But I love this game and simply cannot stand the technicalities that push it more toward a game of numbers than of the heart…that is what I’m talking about really.

So who won last night? History says the Cardinals, just as the scoreboard confirms. But mark my words, no one won last night’s contest. It was an embarrassment. Maybe it would’ve been better if Middlebrooks had simply punched Craig, preventing him from limping to home plate. That would have at least been entertaining. Now all we get to do is talk about rules and technicalities. Baseball is not played by robots though. Nor by little puppies or kittens; a melodramatic statement but one that serves a purpose.

The umpires and MLB brass need to take a step back and let the players play the game. Otherwise, I suggest they pick up a glove and play for a trophy and for pride, for I am certain they would win neither.