Ok, never seen this one until tonight, would love you guys opinion: R2, R3, 1 out. First pitch to batter is a high swinging strike that the catcher misses and goes to the backstop. R3 scores, R2 to third. R2 heads home when both coaches see the ball near 1B dugout and waves him in. About 10 feet from home, the catcher shows the ball and tags the R2 out (the 1B has the other ball). DM claims the ball near 1B was a foul ball from another field - time should have been called and both runners should return to their bases -or- R2 is out. Umpire says in his judgement the ball near 1B was the live ball, not the one the catcher had - but because of the confusion, he ruled that the 2nd ball came into play after R3 scored, then sent R2 back to third. DM protests the decision.
After the game, 2 of our kids said they saw a spectator throw a ball in the direction of the catcher and that the live ball caromed off the backstop and headed for 1st, like both coaches, both runners, and all spectators believed. The umpire did not see the extra ball thrown in. The other game nearby never came looking for a foul ball. The kids thought the spectator was just throwing in a foul ball and wasn't sure if the catcher really knew it was the extra ball or the live ball.
Game ended with the DM losing by 1. R2 never scored, but he allowed R3 to score on the play, of course. DM is protesting. Thoughts? I hope you tell me he is wasting his $25.
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