Why do Major League umpires allow the "mystery tag" at 2nd base when a double play is turned? I don't get it!!

Question

Why don't they demand that the pivot man actually touch the base like at every other bag? "Uh, well, I actually MEANT for that to go over the fence, not just hit the top and bounce back, so...is it a home run anyway? Please?"

OKAY, most of the answers I'm getting are saying it's for player safety??? What kind of crap is that? To heck with safety!!! If that were the case, the"neighborhood play" (as many of you are calling it) would be allowed in college baseball--which it's not, Little League, Babe Ruth, Legion, Automotive, all the way down to Pee Wee, which it's NOT!!! It only happens in the Bigs.

Something needs to be done. If nobody complains about it, if nobody demands honesty and accuracy, then it's just like the Emporor's New Clothes.

Look how closely the umps scrutinize first base. They spend hours and hours perfecting the call of a bang-bang play and how to "hear" the player being thrown out. You can't tell me the umps don't care about accuracy, but why won't anyone do anything about the travesty of the "ghost call" at second base in the major leagues?

I'm still upset. Am I the only one? And, yes, I have a life, but this has always ticked me off and I want it to change. Am I alone?

Answer 1

This travesty is one of the few that still remain in sports today. The league has cracked down on the changing strike zone and I know this will be worked on next year. You are right on, though, it is a joke and a pity that they won't start making the call as it should be made as they do in all other levels of the sport! Great question!

Answer 2

I believe it's actually in the rules that the turn for the double play has to be in the vicinity of the bag, which certainly is up to the umpire's discretion. However, the rule seems to be in place to attempt to protect the fielder from getting hurt by the runner who's trying to break up the double play. This would be in order to give them a chance to get out of the way of the guy trying to slide through them while they're throwing the ball.

Answer 3

For the infielder's health and well being. You have a base runner barreling down second base at full speed, if the shortstop or second base gets in his way, they are going to crash, without the infielder bracing himself. It's like being blindsided. No one wants to see players hurt on routine outs, so the umpires let it go.

Answer 4

it is known as the "neighborhood" play. as long as you make an attempt and come within a certain area (umpire's judgement) he will allow the "ghost tag". it's not really a automatic thing, because an umpire will not grant the "neighborhood" if he bobbles the ball. there are no real rules governing this this, but not all umpires allow it

Answer 5

For player safety. Years ago baseball shoes had spikes made of metal. Some players would sharpen their cleats in order to intentionally injure the opposing player who was trying to turn the DP at second. I believe TY Cobb was one of them.

Answer 6

just because they missed the base doesn't mean he wouldn't have been out, he probably would be dead by a mile, umps don't call them out on close plays though, and mainly to avoid injury.

Answer 7

It's sometimes referred to as an "in the neighborhood" play.

Answer 8

Its for player saftey

Answer 9

There is no good answer to your question. I would say that they allow it because it is tradition.

Answer 10

Because they are lazy, and, they are lazy, and you know they all need vision correction, so really it boils down to laziness and incompetence.