World Series Call Overturned: Did Umpires Get St. Louis Cardinals Double Play Call Right? Yes and It Shows Why Replay Won't Be A Big Mess (SWR Commentary)

Oct 24, 2013 01:03 PM EDT
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma (38) drops the ball for an error as Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) slides into second base during game one of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. "

The World Series now is into Game 2 and the Boston Red Sox have a 1-0 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the matchup and the whole turning point came in the early part of the game when Pete Kozma made an error on a double play, which led to a number of runs to score.

While that was a tough play for the Cardinals, it was even tougher that the play at second base (since there were men on) was called an out, but after John Farrell argued, the umpired huddled up and overturned the call. Matheny obviously came out to argue as well, which he should do matter what, but after looking at the video, everyone watching realized the call was right and the umpires were correct to overturn it. This obviously is significant for the World Series, but also for baseball going forward, as instant replay will be a part of the postseason next year.

The umpires didn't need it on Wednesday, but it showed that they could get together, talk, find the right call and make it in a short period of time and coupling that with replay, there is good reason to think that the process will not slow down games too much. According to ESPN.com, the replay challenges will have one for the first six innings and two for the later part of the game and here is a case where it would have been useful if the other umps did not see the call.

The play started with Adam Wainwright pitching to David Ortiz with two men on, Dustin Pedroia on first and Jacoby Ellsbury at second base in the first inning and after a hit to Matt Carpenter, Kozma missed the transfer and never had control, allowing the man to come in safe, but after umpire Dana DeMuth called him out, all five other umps came over and discussed, changing the call.

The call was right and chaos did not ensue and while it was a tough thing for the Cards to swallow, it was the correct call and that is what matters most. Hey, it's the World Series right?

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