Can an Ump Change Baseball park Groundrules?

[Mags]

Have the cubs over 10.5 today... they are at 10 starting the 9th - R. Freel hits a HR in the basket to give them 11 - but SURPRISE - the umpire decides to change the rules today (basket has always been a homer since 1900 in Wrigley) and says "even if it is in the basket, I will only allow a double"... It wasn't even close, so....

Since when could umpires change ground rules at a whim, that have been around since 1900?

It's not like there was any doubt it was in the basket, so I'm assuming that the ump decided he'd change the ground rules on his own....

Anybody? Can an ump change ground rules at a park in the middle of the game? I would think he'd draw a suspension - this has to be illegal????

 

[Mr. Poon]

wow, interesting. didn't see the play but will be watching for it tonight on the highlights.

 

[ALLAN]

you got screwed- any other day that is called a hr

 

[Mags]

Clarification?

Clarification?

So, did the ump change the groundrules, or did the entire crew claim they didn't see it???

 

[Mr. Poon]

From ESPN.com's recap of the game:

Ryan Freel doubled against Dempster in the ninth but the replays clearly showed the ball bouncing out of the basket in left-center, signifying a home run. Reds manager Jerry Narron spoke to second base umpire Jim Joyce. The umpires gathered together to discuss it and agreed with the original call. Narron again went to speak to Joyce before leaving the field.

Looks like they just missed the call. :shrug: I know that doesn't help you at all though. Hopefully the baseball gods will help get you back soon.

 

[Mags]

Thanks Mr. Poon....

It's a wonder why baseball doesn't use replay for things like HR calls.... I know it wouild be hard to use replay for balls and strikes, and even close plays at first, but it seems like HR calls (which typically have a HUGE impact on the game) would be an obvious area that TV replay would be helpful...

I can only hope the Gambling Gods give me a break like that soon... I'm sure there are people that have an under that didn't deserve it that are very happy that the umps blew the call...

Hopefully some folks played the under and benefited by the lucky call... and not just the books profited by this bullshit...

 

[mosquito]

mags-u got screwed--its as simple as that--i was watching the game with a bunch of cub fans --alot of them had parlayed the cubs and the over--they all thought they had it until that ump ruled the other way--been watching baseball in chicago both cubs and sox and every fan in this town would agree it was a homer-sorry about the outcome--dont think the league will review anything since it didnt affect the final result--good luck in the future

 

[mosquito]

just saw that replay again on the news in chicago--like i said --been watchin for about 40 yrs and its been a homer everytime--but the baskets havent been there since 1900--rumor on the southside is they put them up in the 60' s to make sure ernie banks could get 500 homers--lol--but did u think maybe the ump had the under?--good luck--u deserve it after that one