In the sixth inning of a tight 3-2 ballgame, the Chicago Cubs Jason Heyward hit a dribbler. As he sped down the line to first base, Matt Moore fielded and fried towards first. The ball hit Heyward and umpire Jeff Nelson called Jason out on interference.
Joe Maddon immediately reacted. Len Kasper immediately reacted. The San Francisco Giants announcers immediately reacted. Cubs fans immediately reacted.
Cubs don’t get a run after Jason Heyward is called out on questionable interference call!! pic.twitter.com/J8kXwxJx3S
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) May 25, 2017
“WE WERE SCREWED!”
Yes, perhaps. The play started with runners at first and second, with the errant throw, Kris Bryant, who was on second, came around to score. Following suit, Anthony Rizzo advanced to third.
THE CUBS WERE RALLYING!
But not. Heyward was called out on what was described as a bad call by the umpires. I read hundreds of Twitter messages complaining about the call. Fans begging for robot umps or flat out calling Nelson out for the call.
Thing is, by rule, it was the correct call.
The Rule
MLB Rule 5.09(a)(11) In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of ) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of ) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead; except that he may run outside (to the right of ) the three-foot line or inside (to the left of ) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball;
Once interference is called, it is a dead ball and runners cannot advance. So, the call was correct, from a certain point of view.
Obi-Wan is correct. We hold our truths based on our point of view. We are Cubs fans, so we didn’t see the call as just.
Now here’s why we were right to complain. It’s a stupid rule. The base is in fair territory. In order for Jason (or any runner for that matter) to reach first, you must enter fair territory. An umpire isn’t judging intent, or accidental contact, or even if a fielder purposely throws at a runner. He calls it per rule, and per rule Jason interfered.
Can it be fixed?
We’ve established that Jason had to enter fair territory, so just how wad he supposed to avoid contact, with his back to the play, and a ball thrown right at him?
He couldn’t, and like I tell my little leaguers, sometimes funny things happen in baseball. But that shouldn’t mean we accept it.
Future plays can be avoided by giving umpires discretion. If an ump can determine if there wasn’t intent, or there wasn’t anything the player could do to avoid the interference – he could call the base runner safe.
Luckily this didn’t cost the Cubs the game. But baseball can do better. Please do better.
