Is it really a double play?

Question

I notice sometimes on ESPN or whatever when they show a double play it doesn't even look like the defensive player touches second base yet it is a double play. Usually on a really neat looking double play this happens. Just wondering if anyone else notices it.

Answer 1

in the big leagues, umpires will give the defensive players the benefit of the doubt. usually, in cases such as the situation you've described, the umpire will call the player out if the defensive player is in the general vicinity of the bag, and it isn't necessarily a "close play". umpires do this usually as a reflex, but also as it decreases the likelihood of a collision between the runner and the defender. baserunners usually slide at the defender in order to attempt to break up the double play, which can lead to injury if a collision occurs. most of the time the umpire allows the defender to record the out in the general vicinity, to protect the defender, as well as the baserunner.

Answer 2

Yeah, it's pretty easy to get that call right after seeing slow motion replays from three different angles! But even then I have heard the "talking heads" in the booth disagree on the call!

The DP from 2B to 1B is an extremely fast action. The umpire in the second base slot has to see ball possession, runner position, legal slide attempt, possible tag, as well as possible interference and obstruction. As has been noted, in the "Bigs" some lee-way is given due to safety of the players. The runner is allowed to slide away from the bag, still in reach and wipe out the fielder. That is not legal in college and high school, they must slide to the bag in a straight line. If the fielder is within a couple of inches in MLB, he will get the call on the initial part of the DP. It is not easy to catch.

The touch of first base is much easier to see, and the fielder (if playing the position properly) is not in danger of being run over by the runner.

Answer 3

I have nothing to really add. All I can do is reiterate what others have said but, it is a "benefit of the doubt" play, where the ump will call him out if he's in the general vicinity. This mostly has to do with perspective. The umpire can't honestly see the Base, the Runner, the Ball and the Defender all at once. So, he neglects the base a little so he can get the full view of the Play.

Answer 4

The umpires and refs usually give the defensive player a little leeway on that call-probably to help cut down on injuries when the baserunner tries to plow into the defensive player just as he's turning his body...It's kinda like when different umpires call the strike zone differently-seems the vast majority call a lower strike zone than the rules say...As to whether it is "really" a double play, I suppose so since whatever the ref says goes...Maybe some time in the future they may decide to call it more in line with the written rules.

Answer 5

It is true. They allow the phantom double play at second all the time, but if the first baseman's foot come off the bag by a millimeter they call the runner safe. It is one of the biggest inconsistancies in baseball along with calling an outside ball a strike if the umpire thinks the pitcher intended to throw it there.

Answer 6

Yeah it is unoficially called the neighborhood rule. The umpire will call the runner out at second even though the bag wasnt touched by the fielder. This is to protect the fielder from the baserunner sliding into second base..

Answer 7

The Phantom tag at second has been a reality as long as I've watched baseball. It would be nice to have the umpire's make them hit the bag. Nothing is more frustrating for a fan when his team gets knocked out of a huge inning by one of these missed calls.

Answer 8

A lot of times the camera angles make it look like the player didn't touch the base before throwing - and sometimes they get the call even though they didn't.

Answer 9

in case you're in seek of something uncommon, an unassisted double play by ability of an outfielder might might desire to be it...i might additionally say that something that should take place must be an 8-a million DP the place the outfielder catches the fly and rifles a guy out at homestead being coated by ability of the pitcher by using fact the catcher replaced into someplace else...

Answer 10

Well I agree with everything that has been said. It is like when a veteran pitcher like Tom Glavine gets a boardline pitch called a strike yet a rookie pitcher doesn't get that same call. It is what makes baseball, baseball.