http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=15023115
It appears they ruled Ludwick out and put Barlett at second base. Any explanations here? Seems a little interesting and the broadcasters were confused..
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I'm not sure why they called the BR out, but once they did the force was off so runner is safe at second.
First Possibility: B/R was called for assisting the runner. Yes, Io know that isn't the way the rule is written in our rulebooks, but:
1. MLB owns and is free to interpret the rules.
2. MLB umpires, two years ago ruled umpire interference on a play in which an umpire backed into a runner.
3. Crew chiefs may consider "the spirit and intent" of rules and rule accordingly. When they do, the play and ruling will be reviewed and either the crew chief will be honored for his interpretation, or fined for misapplying the rule.
4. The little pocket sized MLBUM sold to the public is not the only guide MLB umpires receive.
Second possibility: Umpires, at least two of them, screwed up and ruled that B/R passed R/1.
1. MLB owns and is free to interpret the rules.
2. MLB umpires, two years ago ruled umpire interference on a play in which an umpire backed into a runner.
3. Crew chiefs may consider "the spirit and intent" of rules and rule accordingly. When they do, the play and ruling will be reviewed and either the crew chief will be honored for his interpretation, or fined for misapplying the rule.
4. The little pocket sized MLBUM sold to the public is not the only guide MLB umpires receive.
Second possibility: Umpires, at least two of them, screwed up and ruled that B/R passed R/1.
All I can say is they get it wrong more often when they get together. I don't have any numbers to back that up but it seems that often they get it right live, hundle and screw it up. Lesson to learn, don't huddle so much.
I feel like this call actually helped the offense. If they had called the runner out or let it go as is the offense would have had a runner on 1st. Instead, they called the batter out and put the runner on 2nd... It really defeated the rule as they called it..