play at plate

[Fourslot40]

I just took a look for the first time as well. Horrible. I think Ventura was good considering, because I would have thrown every base in McCovey Cove. Just think of what Sweet Lou or Ear Weaver would be doing on the wrong end of these calls.

To add to the discussion, here's where I have an issue. There is no baseline at the plate. Runners, especially faster guys utilize the back end of the plate meaning that they will slide away from the "baseline". This is a real problem, because if the catcher can't defend that backend by being in position, it places him in a no-win spot. If I'm a coach, I just tell all of my guys to simply try to hit the back end of the plate to make it look like I had no choice but to slide out of the baseline and either score or get the overturn for obsruction.

Look at these umpires though. It says alot about the rule. They have to get the first call right and they understand the interpretation. In EVERY one of these plays, they have called the runner out. Rightfully so. It's because they don't see an obstruction.

[Fourslot40]

Something else that was interesting in that video. It looked like Ventura told the crew chief a few times that "he didn't have to do that", which implies to me that there is a bit of subjectivity to this rule. A terrible spot for an MLB umpire.