Sharyland vs. Eagle Pass

Do I have to watch all 59 mins of the vid to figure out what the fuss is about?  

 

I know Eagle Pass won the game, and the comments make it sound like they cheated, or a coach was out of line.  Would like to see for myself, but can I get some help as to where to "fast forward to?"

Go to about 53 minutes in to see the balk call. 

 

If you watch the whole video you see that the umps had no control of the game. 

thank you... video is not the greatest clarity (that, and my eyes are getting old, I guess), but it indeed looks like a phantom balk call to end the game.

 

There is another post over there which shows numerous clips of questionable calls, not to mention the integrity issue of it all where EP picks game date/time, location, and has their own officiating crew.   I don't know all the rules in the playoff format, but it seems that some of the "choices" should be evened out b/w the teams (I know it is done this way normally).

Here are articles on the controversey:

 

http://www.themonitor.com/spor...e6-0019bb30f31a.html

 

http://www.themonitor.com/spor...75-001a4bcf6878.html

 

Hats off to Coach Bickerton in his interview after the game. Tough to end a season that way, but he showed character and class with the way he handled it. 

Pitcher looked like he hadn't come set? Tough to see from the video. Umpire should have immediately called it and it looks as if he waited? 

OK, so 3rd base umpire called it. Wow.... that's what threw me from the video is the umpire in "B" position never moved. 

First issue is that Eagle Pass picked the umpires. Teams had agreed

to go to UIL and have UIL assign the umps. EP had responsibility

to go to UIL. Instead, they picked umps themselves.

 

First call questioned is at 19:18. The batter is hit in the helmet

and Sharyland argues he swung at pitch. Umps rules he was attempting

to avoid the ball. I agree with umps.

 

Next controversy is at 26:45. With score 9-7 Sharyland,

Eagle Pass player hits into potential 4-6-3.

Runner at 2B slides causing SS to make errant throw. Two

runs score tying the game.

 

Sharyland argues should be interference. Sharyland coach and SS

are ejected.

 

Finally at 54:25 Eagle Pass has 2 outs bases loaded after Sharyland

has walked the bases loaded intentionally (runner was on 3B) with 1

out followed by a K for second out.

 

On first pitch to batter, 3B ump calls a balk as the batter hits a foul ball

down the rf line. The balk scores the winning run.

 

Looks to me like balk was called because pitcher did not pause

in set position.

Looking at that video from Sharyland's perspective, it would be a tough loss to stomach.  It will be interesting to see what the UiL does here.  No doubt that they will back the umpires 100%.  It would be almost impossible to prove collusion on the part of the umps, not to mention, the fallout of the outcome of something like that.  My guess is that the Eagle Pass coach will be punished for bypassing the UiL to get the umpires and not much else.  Makes for exciting forum chatter though.

Here is an article from the Dallas Morning News High School Sports section.  I can feel for Mission Sharyland on the dissapointment of a few bad calls.  The same can be said about the non homerun call Plano East had against L.D.Bell last year in the Regionals. Like Ron Washington says "that's how baseball go"....

http://www.dallasnews.com/spor...umpire-selection.ece

Until UIL is willing to have _all_ these playoff match-ups be best of 3 (unless inclement weather forces a one-gamer due to logistics), there are going to be these types of games from time to time.  It just happens in the game of baseball (and most other sports, too), where it seems that every call goes against you, you hit a ton of "at 'em" balls, the other team gets the bloopers that fall in, etc.  It snowballs.  Best of 3 takes that out of the equation.  No one gets the home field advantage throughout the series, or the "umpire advantage", either. 

 

I know it is beating a dead, decayed, and buried horse... but it just makes sense.

 

On the balk call... I will assume it was b/c the pitcher didn't come set, but from 150' away on the video it is impossible to tell _for sure_, if he did or didn't.  

Any umpire that would make that call at that point in a playoff game with the bases loaded has a problem.  If it is clearly a balk, then call it, but come on.  Even from that far away, looks like the kid came set.  I feel for the kids that spent hours each day working hard on their sport only to have it snatched away on a call like that.

 

However, I do agree with AW that 3 game series are the way to go_for the kids sake.

 

This is just all around a bad situation,

 

1) If umpires have the ability to hold coaches accountable (Eject and have to report to UIL, with the possibility of losing their JOB) for their actions, then there needs to be the same for Umpires.  I understand there is a lack of them because of the bad rap that they get.  I wouldn't want to me one, but with that being said they know what they are signing up for.  With the exception of one game in the playoffs this year our umpires were GREAT!  In that one game it was only 1 bad blue,  but he was almost able to control the outcome which is scary.

 

2)  I agree with Wes that they should have been able to play it out unless is was so obvious that he had to.  

 

3) The kids from Both teams are being punished for this.  Although you can definitely make a case that Sharyland has it worse, think too about the Eagle Pass kids.  They obviously played a heck of a game against a great Sharyland team.  The fact that it was close enough to have a call like that made is crucial!  Instead of this being about an underdog overcoming odds, its about excuses.  Weather they are valid excuses or not, you hate to see such a great game and the hard work of both teams come down to something like this.  

 

I understand your point, and figured someone would comment about something like a strike 3 call or a bang-bang call at a base, etc.

 

Equating a pitcher throwing strike 3 and the batter taking the pitch (this is players deciding the game) to what (from 150') looks like a phantom balk call is apples to oranges.  If the pitcher had fallen down, gone into his motion and stopped his delivery to home, etc... I don't think anyone would have a complaint.   If the pitcher had been called previously for not coming set (if that was the call?), then no one complains.

 

In all fairness, I did not watch this particular pitcher on every pitch before the balk call, but given the circumstances involved (EP completely bypassing the _rules_ in bringing in their own crew), I'm going to make an educated guess that he did nothing different than he had done on his previous pitches, which would mean it was not "called the same from start to finish."  From 150' away... it looks like a bogus call to decide the game,   This definitely requires some conjecture on my part, I will admit as much.  I don't have time to watch a 59 min video to draw more conclusions.   Given there were other questionable calls (including the missed tag down 3B line, where the EP runner even knows he was tagged ... he gets up at first and starts slowly walking towards 1B dugout before his coach starts screaming at him to go touch home), this balk call doesn't have a big leg to stand on.

 

What we _know_ about the situation is that the EP coaching staff is crooked in this case...and in the case of getting their own umps for this game, it is truly sad for both teams.

you're right; but if they had called it earlier in the game or had given a warning; then no problem with the call b/c they called the game the same in the first and the last inning.  Coaches want consistency; and that is what they would give. If they are eager to inject themselves into the game; there is a problem. 

 

There should be some major consequences with for the coaching staff.  The parents in the community should be embarassed and should be demanding their coaching staff held responsible.

I don't think umps give warnings. "Hey kid you balked but I'm not calling it?" What would opposing coach do with that. HS playoffs are not a scrimmage.

 

I watched other parts of video and the Sharyland pitcher seemed to make more definitive pause in the clips I viewed. I think he paused also on the pitch where the call was made. It's questionable. I think in that situation it needs to very definitive to make the call. The one ump shouldn't be the only one on the field that saw it.

 

Further info on this from a reporter in McAllen. EP has been given 3 options 1) Go before State Executive Committee, 2) Forfeit, 3) Re-play. But no time for decision has been stated, at least publicly. Media think they will delay and go on with game against SA Johnson. See Todd Orodenker's twitter feed for his updates: https://twitter.com/ToddO243

 

That's why I said above, "if the pitcher had been called previously for not coming set, then no one complains."

 

Yes, we all want consistency... although from the dugout I have been frustrated with "consistently bad" umpiring.  

 

Having not taken the time to watch the entire video, I understand I'm reaching a little on this entire debate.  Maybe he'd been called for a balk a time or two before?  I am just guessing he didn't, and the umpire was looking for a way to end the game, and given the entire circumstances surrounding it all, I don't believe that's a stretch.  Having said that, my opinion doesn't mean anything...nothing is going to change it,   EP will delay going before the SEC and once their game/series is played in a day or two, its all a moot point anyway.

 

RockDad... I agree... no warnings after 12-13U.  I have been so frustrated over the years in club ball with umps who will not call it b/c they are being too lenient (but usually they are consistent with this leniency).  When you're trying to teach the game, I'd rather have a balk called on my kid to help reinforce the rule, so he doesn't form poor habits in prepping for HS/college. 

 

www.allenwranglersbaseball.com

OK... see a balk call a balk... I really can't tell in the vid if he didn't stop but is everyone sure that is what was called?  If you watch the vid only the Plate guy and the U3 can see if the pitcher comes to a stop (if that what he didn't do) how do you know if the Plate guy didn't call it too. 

 

I agree the kid ended the game not the official.. football: 3 seconds left and the takle holds the defensive end on a hail mary... 3 seconds left down by one and the kid double dribbles... it happens and to not call it is more of injustice cause that is why you are there... call the game as you see it, but we all make mistakes... safe @ first on the last play of a perfect game... poop happens

 

Warning the pitcher on a balk... Umpire looking for a way to end the game... really... I don't think so...

 

Another article published today:

http://www.themonitor.com/spor...ae-0019bb30f31a.html

No one is accusing you of being a homer, ok?  Seriously... I am not doing that. 

 

At the same time, if you, or any other umpire, are going to tell me that there aren't some unscrupulous umpires who are partial... then I think you are being naïve.  Just like in every walk of life or profession... there are some bad apples (who would seek an opportunity to end a game or make a decisive call that directly determines the outcome of a game).

 

The only _facts_ we have here are that the EP coaches selected their own umpires, which is a breach of the rules.  This isn't the umpires' fault, I understand.  Aside from that, the clips I have reviewed show a number of questionable calls which all go to one side.  Coincidence?  Bad day?  Mistakes happen?  Certainly possible. 

 

But let's at least entertain the possibility that there was something going on under the table here based on the facts of how the umpires were chosen.  Or, do we just assume that b/c they are officials they _all_ have the utmost integrity and would never make a call based on bias towards one team or the other?

 

Totally agree that if its a balk, call it... assuming it was called every other time during the game.   If the vid is a balk b/c the P didn't come set, then U3 must've called 30 balks that game.   Because if it was called a number of times before... the P has no excuse.   If it wasn't called the same way every time throughout the game, and U3 waited until there was a runner on 3B to make the call... that even gets more to my point.  Really?  Yes, I think it is possible.

 

I have no horse in the race.  And again, the ultimate blame should be placed at the feet of the EP coaching staff and the UIL (for allowing the rules to be broken without timely consequence).

 

...and for the record, I go out of my way to tell a crew how well they did after a game, regardless of the outcome... but only if they really did a good job and worked hard.   I haven't umped HS ball, I did some 4th-8th grade while I was in HS and college.  It's a tough job, and a thankless job.  I get that and I appreciate that.  Which makes it even more frustrating when you see this happen b/c for every lousy one, there are many who are really good at what they do.

Just checked out gamechanger and that is the first balk of the game that was called on that team after 124 pitches.  I find it hard to believe that on the 125th pitch of the night, the kid finally didn't come to a stop.  Of he didn't then so be it, but still a hard call for an umpire to make at that point in the game when it hasn't been called all night - UNLESS IT IS INARGUABLY A BALK!!!  That particular pitcher was on his 75th pitch of the night. 

There is no way a balk should have been called there.  The balk rule is to prevent a pitcher from deceiving the base runner.  I'm sure that the "balk" didn't trick the runner out of stealing home with two outs in extra innings.  That call was so lame.  The kid hit the ball just foul.  Too bad the ump took the game out the pitcher's hands and the batter's bat and ended it this way.

Allen Wrangler hit the nail on the head... It isn't about the balk!

It's the fact that EP selected their own crew and did not have UIL select the crew as it was suppose to happen. Suspicious.   Sharyland coaches sent numerous emails to EP asking who the officiating crew would be with no response??? Suspicious.  Many close calls that all seemed to be one sided to the team that selected their own umpires? Suspicious.  A game ending balk call that had not been all game, and by the video doesn't really look like a balk? Suspicios.   Can all this be coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.  I don't have a dog in the fight either but I think the only fair thing to do is to replay the game given the circumstances.

I can't tell whether or not on the vid it was a balk but in general about rules...I agree what you state above on what the intent of the discernible stop (a change of direction is not considered an acceptable stop) rule is but no matter if he is trying to deceive the runner or just making a pitch, if he doesn’t abide by the rule… it is a balk (in the 1st or the 8th)... There are lots of rules in the book that are infractions no matter the intent of the player who commits the infraction. The phrase is “but I didn’t mean to do that!” is not an acceptable to overrule a call or to ignore it.

Well to be honest there really needs to be a better way to pick umpires for the playoffs.  It is really crazy that the coaches pick the officials... they generally pick guys that will not make calls (or hope they won't) against them or guys who they feel they can intimidate.  The coaches should have input on what guys make the playoff lists but not who gets to call their particular games.  I have seen coaches lists that choose umpires that are far inferior to the top umpires in various chapters.  You can have guys that are rated in the middle 20% working games where most of the top 20% are not working. This is generally because the top 20% will call the game as they see it and will make the big call when it happens... and not worry if a coach is offended by the call.  We have had coaches come up to umpires and tell them "you are going to make that call? and I put you on my list!" and "I guess you don't want to be on my list". 

Saw a media post that Sharyland school board voted to take legal action tomorrow against UIL.

 

But a statement from Deputy Director Harrison of UIL puts this to rest I think. He said that by starting the game, Sharyland agreed to the umpires.  If they had called the UIL, UIL would have gotten UIL umpires there quickly.

 

Sharyland coach and AD dropped the ball here. They were getting no response from Eagle Pass as to who the umpires would be. They should have contacted UIL then. To move on and play the game is acceptance of the umpires. How else can it be viewed? And you shouldn't complain after the fact when calls and game result didn't go in their favor.

 

Sharyland players and parents should put this on their own at the end of the day, not Eagle Pass, IMO.