Heinous Call Sinks Marlins

Feb 18, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins manager Mike Redmond (11) coaches catchers including Jeff Mathis (6) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (squatting) on proper tagging techniques consistent with the new no collision at home plate rules in spring training action at Roger Dean Stadium Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Let me start by saying that I’m not one to make excuses. Whenever a bad call is made in sports, I’m usually the first to say “well, a game is not won or lost on one play”. However, the call that was overturned during tonight’s Marlins game was an absolute crime. Highway robbery. The crew in New York City just took this game out of Giancarlo Stanton’s hands, gift wrapped it, and handed it to the Cincinnati Reds.

The score was 1-0 in the top of the eighth inning, the only run coming off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton. Tom Koehler allowed two base runners to lead off the inning, and was pulled for Bryan Morris. Morris struck out the first batter he faced, then gave up a fly ball to right field. Zak Cozart tags from third, Stanton uncorks a laser, and Jeff Mathis sets up properly, moves to the 3rd base line to catch the ball,  turns to Cozart, and applies the tag.

"“ Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 7.13 if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in order to field a throw,”‘"

Jeff Mathis was pulled towards the baseball! What’s a guy supposed to do? Let it hit the backstop and allow 2 runs? What I don’t understand, is how you can OVERTURN a call like this. Outrageous. Yes, this is one regular season game, but this call is a bigger deal than that. Clearly this rule is flawed, and the people in New York don’t know what to do in situations like this.  You would think that these umpires could apply some common sense to a decision like this, since the throw beat Cozart by a good 15 feet. 

It’s incredibly unfortunate that this game had to be put in the hands of some goofball in New York with a headset, who took 6 and half minutes to make the wrong call. Hopefully this doesn’t crush the Marlins’ momentum, and they bounce back tomorrow with a win (Possibly on the back of newly acquired Jarod Cosart?) Anyway, I hope MLB has something to say about this tomorrow.