Another embarrassing fiasco involving major league baseball umpires not knowing basic rules took place Thursday night when the Houston Astros were allowed to make two pitching changes without throwing a pitch.
In the top of the seventh with two outs, the Astros called to the bullpen to have Wesley Wright replace Paul Clemens, and the Los Angeles Angels picked Luis Jimenez as a pinch hitter. However, after a meeting with the umpires, Astros manager Bo Porter then made another call to the bullpen to have Hector Ambriz replace Wright before Wright threw a pitch.
Naturally, Angels manager Mike Scioscia was upset and argued with the umpires, who had to confer with themselves several times, but allowed the pitching change to stand despite the fact that the move by the Astros completely violates baseball rules.
This could also set a dangerous precedent. What happens when other teams see this and try the same thing? What stops them now that the Astros have done it and got away with it? Talk about slowing the game down.
Scioscia filed a protest immediately, but fortunately the Angels won the game, so it didn't cost them anything. However, we'll see how major league baseball responds to the fact that their umpires either don't know the rules or are allowing teams to break the rules without penalty. It's one thing when umpires make mistakes, but it's entirely different when they don't know the rules.
UPDATE: Major League Baseball has suspended umpire Fieldin Culbreth two games and fined him an undisclosed amount for this fiasco, as well they should. Absolutely no excuse for this.
Video via MLB.
In the top of the seventh with two outs, the Astros called to the bullpen to have Wesley Wright replace Paul Clemens, and the Los Angeles Angels picked Luis Jimenez as a pinch hitter. However, after a meeting with the umpires, Astros manager Bo Porter then made another call to the bullpen to have Hector Ambriz replace Wright before Wright threw a pitch.
Naturally, Angels manager Mike Scioscia was upset and argued with the umpires, who had to confer with themselves several times, but allowed the pitching change to stand despite the fact that the move by the Astros completely violates baseball rules.
According to rule 3.05(B), "If the pitcher is replaced, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until the offensive team is put out, unless the substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the umpire-in-chief's judgment, incapacitates him for further play as a pitcher."Wright did not appear to be injured or ill, certainly not to the extent that he would not be able to pitch to a single batter. However, the umpires still allowed the Astros to bring him into the game and substitute him out without having him throw a pitch, despite the fact that major league baseball rules explicitly do not allow it.
This could also set a dangerous precedent. What happens when other teams see this and try the same thing? What stops them now that the Astros have done it and got away with it? Talk about slowing the game down.
Scioscia filed a protest immediately, but fortunately the Angels won the game, so it didn't cost them anything. However, we'll see how major league baseball responds to the fact that their umpires either don't know the rules or are allowing teams to break the rules without penalty. It's one thing when umpires make mistakes, but it's entirely different when they don't know the rules.
UPDATE: Major League Baseball has suspended umpire Fieldin Culbreth two games and fined him an undisclosed amount for this fiasco, as well they should. Absolutely no excuse for this.
Video via MLB.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
