force out situation

[dobberino]

Saw this in a baseball game last weekend...

Bases loaded, nobody out. Batter hit grounder to 3rd. Throw to the plate draws the catcher off, but the catcher dives back and tags the plate with glove. Runner then slides in and knocks the ball out of the glove just after the catcher tags the plate. Safe or out?

BTW, I think the ump made the right call here.

[wadeintothem]

If he had possession of the ball and tagged home plate, that is an out. An out is recorded immediately, a subsequent drop of the ball would not affect an out. (similarly to "on the transfer" drop of the ball.

If F2 did not have demonstrable possession, safe.

I'm guessing he called the out and got yelled at..
Cuz .. calling safe results in getting yelled at..

Never get yelled at for a safe call..

[dobberino]

The ump called him "out." Offensive team protested, saying the ball was loose. After a minute, ump changed call to "safe." After defense then protests the change. PU then conferenced with the other umpires, and changed the call back to "out," which I believed to be the correct call anyhow. PU should have conferenced before making a final ruling instead of changing his call twice.

[wadeintothem]

Wonder what they could have possibly have been conferencing about.. there doesnt sound like there was anything worth talking about on this play.

Likely a terrible conference. You saw the out or you didnt. Bad form. Wonder which umpire it was.

[MTR]

Wonder which umpire it was.

The baseball umpire.....a good softball umpire would never screw that one up.

[Steve M]

The ump called him "out." Offensive team protested, saying the ball was loose. After a minute, ump changed call to "safe." After defense then protests the change. PU then conferenced with the other umpires, and changed the call back to "out," which I believed to be the correct call anyhow. PU should have conferenced before making a final ruling instead of changing his call twice.

I disagree with the thought that the PU should have conferred with anyone. Tag of plate made with control, then control lost AFTER out was made. IF any discussion amongst umpires is to happen, it happens before any change of the call is made - and that would only be if another umpire was able to add the missing information that the ball had not been caught and controlled at the time the plate was tagged. The way this call went back & forth, all the umpires in the game suffered garbage on every following close play.

[upurbox]

The ump called him "out." Offensive team protested, saying the ball was loose. After a minute, ump changed call to "safe." After defense then protests the change. PU then conferenced with the other umpires, and changed the call back to "out," which I believed to be the correct call anyhow. PU should have conferenced before making a final ruling instead of changing his call twice.

I disagree with the thought that the PU should have conferred with anyone. Tag of plate made with control, then control lost AFTER out was made. IF any discussion amongst umpires is to happen, it happens before any change of the call is made - and that would only be if another umpire was able to add the missing information that the ball had not been caught and controlled at the time the plate was tagged. The way this call went back & forth, all the umpires in the game suffered garbage on every following close play.

Thats making sure that tagging the plate does not jar the ball loose.(correct)

[MTR]

Thats making sure that tagging the plate does not jar the ball loose.(correct)

That's correct and the OP clearly stated that did not happen.