Big League Stew - MLB

Big League Stew

Sun Oct 18, 2009 2:34 am EDT

Erick Aybar's footwork (or lack thereof) creates a giant gray area

By 'Duk

It didn't end up being the most important play in the Yankees' classic 4-3 ALCS victory on Saturday night, but Erick Aybar's(notes) non-tag of second base in the 10th inning definitely ranks as its oddest and most controversial highlight.

To recap: With Melky Cabrera(notes) bearing down on the base after a Jorge Posada(notes) grounder to second, the Angels shortstop straddled the bag and then threw the ball to first. But neither foot ever touched the base and umpire Jerry Layne ruled Cabrera safe. Watch it here

Easy call, right?

Well, not quite. What Aybar did is called the "neighborhood play" in baseball and is widely considered a common practice, even at the highest levels of play.

Because middle infielders are placed in the line of danger and injury, MLB umpires will often overlook a close-but-not-quite tag so long as it looks close and some dirt is kicked up in the air. The concession happens a countless number of times each season and rare is the time that a runner is ever ruled safe. Strange as it sounds to outsiders, it's considered a part of baseball.  

Layne's ruling didn't come back to hurt the Halos — Angels reliever Darren Oliver(notes) kept his composure to get two more outs — but it did raise a good debate among baseball followers.

Did Layne make the correct call in crunch time or should he have adhered to what has become a weird unwritten rule within baseball's code? 

From my viewpoint, I can see where Aybar and manager Mike Scioscia were coming from. That's an awfully gutsy call to make in that position.How can umpires look the other way nearly every other time, but enforce it the one time it actually matters? Considering the cold and wet conditions at Yankee Stadium, why couldn't Aybar get a free pass that's never debated in any other circumstance?

That said, in a postseason that's been riddled with umpire error, how can anyone fault Layne for actually enforcing the rule as it's defined? A player must be touching the base for a force out and I think Layne was right in requiring that Aybar complete the play to earn two outs. After all, there aren't any gimme putts at The Masters, so why should there be free outs in extra innings of a key ALCS game?  

In other words, I think it would be one thing if we were applying the neighborhood play rule at a fireman's softball game or even an Angels' getaway day against the A's in Oakland.

But with so much on the line, Aybar has to know that he has to touch the base before throwing to first. Layne made the correct call and to suggest otherwise is to tell the umpires that they're always going to get it wrong, even when the rulebook says they're right. 

What do you think? Was Layne right in ruling Cabrera safe?

Related: 2009 postseason on the Stew, 2009 ALCS — Angels v. Yankees

digg delicious
more

122 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. r00t61
    1. Posted by r00t61 Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:02 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    The logic used to defend the neighborhood play (protect the infielders from injury) is absurd.
    Why don't we have a similar "unwritten rule" protecting, for example, catchers at the plate, when 200 lb athletes come crashing into them? There's usually far greater chance of injury in that situation. Catchers have suffered ligament tears, broken bones, and concussions. If we're going to tread down the slippery slope of neighborhood plays, then I propose, tongue-in-cheek, that as long as the catcher is close to the runner at the plate, the runner should be ruled out. You know, for safety and all.
    I can't believe we've reached the point where we're debating whether or not rules in the rulebook should be enforced. The situation last night made Aybar and Scioscia look like whiny little [profane]es.
  2. Kyle
    2. Posted by Kyle Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:07 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Rules are rules, they're there for a reason. So many have been forgotten, like high strike calls
  3. DAVE
    3. Posted by DAVE Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:07 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I agree, he must touxh the base. not only that, bbut it wasnt really close. It was clear on the TV replay.
    On a side note, tim McCarver is an idiot.
  4. LiadC
    4. Posted by LiadC Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:13 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    the difference here was that he wasn't even in the neighborhood... he even moved his feet and seemed to avoid the base as if there was a force field around it... at least make and effort to touch the base! swipe your foot past it or across it... he was nowhere near it, and Layne was right to call it.
  5. D
    5. Posted by D Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:17 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    4-3, not 3-2. Just making that clarification before people start jumping down your throat for it.
  6. sumatra-b
    6. Posted by sumatra-b Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:31 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    This is supposed to be a no-brainer. I mean, there's no case to argue here coz replays are conclusive that Aybar made a simple but very costly mistake. Baseball plates are there to be stepped-on as basic rule. Aybar and all Angels fans know this.
  7. Sherri
    7. Posted by Sherri Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:31 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I've watched a lot of baseball during the past 40 years. NEVER have I seen a player called "safe" when defensive players have taken liberties at second base. Interestingly, the next Yankee attempt at a double play clearly showed the defensive player never touching the bag. Where was Layne then?!
  8. sumatra-b
    8. Posted by sumatra-b Sun Oct 18, 2009 3:52 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Yeah 4-3 not 3-2. Duk, the blogger also erred ala Aybar. haha.
  9. Blue Eyed Italian
    9. Posted by Blue Eyed Italian Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:03 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    it was the correct call you have to touch the bag. yes umpires do many times let it go, but the player usually makes an attemot to be close either coming across the bag or jumping dirvetly over it to avoid a sliding player. he was no where close in how he straddled the bag, and it was posada running to first so he had plenty of time to touch the bag, order a pizza, call his mom, an check his watch before throwing to first to get posada. the umpires have made many bad calls this postseason, but this was not one of them. give the umpire credit for calling the play correctly. i hate how many times to players are called out cause the throw beats even though the player slides around the tag in no force out situations. the rest of the umpires should follow suit and start calling the plays correct. these guys are professionals out there no need to give them any extra advantage they need to complete the play or they should be sitting home watching the games like the rest of us especially considering all the money they make, even if it is a guy making league minimum which is over 400k well above the national average for income.
  10. Jo Bangles
    10. Posted by Jo Bangles Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:15 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    The rules are written one way and interpreted another in baseball. The strike zone is supposed to range from the knees to the letters, but most umps don't call anything above the belt a strike. For years the phantom footwork has turned double-plays consistently in baseball, without argument from the opposing managers. If MLB wants to crack down on this part of the game, they ought to address it in the off season, but to put the screws to Aybar and the Angels in the ALCS is a little chickensh!t in my opinion.
    A couple other interesting plays that happened in this game were the Vlad strikeout/wild pitch where replay looked like he beat Molina's throw. Also, the walk (was it to Abreu?) on the wild pitch that skipped into the stands. Aybar should have moved up an extra 90 feet (he goes from 2nd to 3rd via the walk, should have been awarded home on the ball in the stands), but the umpire sent him back to 3rd. Scioscia didn't question either call.
  11. Mr Green
    11. Posted by Mr Green Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:24 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I agree with the call atleast get your feet or foot close to the bag if you want the call, he was clearly a good six inches or so away and for Joe Buck and Tim McCarver to say he should be out is absurd they both are clearly morons.
  12. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    12. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:34 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Tim MCcarver is a joke. He really needs to do a better job hiding his hatred towards the Yankees b/c he clearly hates them. Any little comment he makes is something negative..Like the Rivera "looking bad in warm ups" quote..what a joke.
  13. David P
    13. Posted by David P Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:40 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    AS A BASEBALL PLAYER MY ENTIRE LIFE....I will just say that the "neighborhood call" ONLY applies to a double play where the first out made is a force at second base. The "neighborhood call" as retarded-ass Tim McCarver dubbed it, is not a "neighborhood" play at all. It is more of a TIMING issue on the shortstop/second baseman's part that just having their feet in the neighborhood of the bag. FOR EXAMPLE in a 6-4-3 double play where the second baseman is coming across the bag at the same time as his catch/release. He MUST CATCH THE BALL, STEP ON THE BASE, AND THROW THE BALL...but generally the timing of whether he actually has the ball in his glove at the exact moment his foot touches the bag is casually overlooked by umpires.
    No big deal, there is no instant replay in baseball, and it's just one of those things. You can get away with it in June, July, and August...But in extra innings in an LCS game...get your foot on the bag.
  14. Brave Sherpa
    14. Posted by Brave Sherpa Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:28 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I think this is the first time I've ever agreed with a blogger...well said.
  15. Che
    15. Posted by Che Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:37 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    In reality I never heard of a "neighbor hood play". I believe that they are professional athlete and they should touch the base.Tim you really tried coming back but it was to late'OUR CAMERA CREW WENT OVER ALL THE DOUBLE PLAY AND AYBER TOUCH ALL THE SECOND BASE BAGS"sometimes not saying nothing is better.But BUT the "W" is all it matters.HOPE the DODGERS beat PHILLIES.WHAT A WORLD SERIES THAT WOULD BE YANKEES vs DODGERS.WOW WOW WOW
  16. ****
    16. Posted by **** Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:48 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    If you actually look at Chase Utley's errant throw on the 2nd game, he doesn't even touch the base at 2nd base before throwing it into the stands. So, technically he didn't retire anyone. However, if neighborhood play is generally accepted throughout the regular season, why should umpires suddenly change how they call the play? Players -- especially on defense -- rely on their muscle memory; they're used to not having to touch the bag at second. I'm just saying if you want to enforce the rule in the strictest sense, do it next season, not in the middle of the playoffs.
  17. Jim
    17. Posted by Jim Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:49 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I think the rules ought to be enforced as written and not depending on who the umpire is or what the circumstances are to better protect the integrity of the game. Close should only count in horseshoes and hand grenades. The rational for using Quest is to 'help educate' the umpires into calling a more consistent strike zone and get them on the same page, so call the rules as written. Why isn't the first baseman given the neighborhood of the bag when he stretches? What happens if MLB ever adopts replay and the replay shows the 2B/SS didn't touch the bag? I actually feel more strongly about the McCarver is an idiot comment and would like to use the neighborhood play to include Joe Buck too...
  18. ramskijr
    18. Posted by ramskijr Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:50 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    the neighborhood play is a common call in alot of MLB games, I have never liked it = but it has become part of the game. to get the out you gotta touch the bag. What really bothered me tonight was the commentary of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. They said on several occassions 'I'm glad that play did not affect the outcome of the game'. What, having an umpire make the correct and right call. But to some satisfaction McCarver ate his words when the guys in the truck told him all the other double plays Aybar did touch the bag - and those plays were harder. Aybar wasn't even close enough to the bag to 'get' the neighborhood call. And it all doesn't matter, the Angels sucked wind at the end.
  19. ****
    19. Posted by **** Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:52 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Following up on my comment, I don't think that "with so much on the line, Aybar has to know that he has to touch the base before throwing to first." Actually, if players started thinking rather than executing routine plays they're used to, it will only lead to more errors.
  20. Steve F
    20. Posted by Steve F Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:48 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    That was the second time Aybar did the neighborhood play turning a double play. Several innings earlier, he missed the bag when they tried to double up Molina and Jeter. Molina out at second even though Aybar never touched the bag, Jeter beat the throw to first on his grounder to second..
  21. CH
    21. Posted by CH Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:09 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    The unmpire got it right, period.
  22. George
    22. Posted by George Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:18 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    There is no debate, you need to touch the bag
  23. Tim
    23. Posted by Tim Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:52 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    The neighborhood play is always given as long as the middle infielder at least appears to come close to touching the bag. Aybar had plenty of time to either swipe a foot near the bag or plant a foot behind or off to the side, but instead he positioned himself behind it, then hopped off to the side. He was in the neighborhood, but never quite passed through it. If he had dragged a foot, instead of hopping around the bag, he would have gotten the call, he didnt even make it look close. In that situation, in the ALCS, you gotta touch the bag though. Listening to Joe Buck and McCarver complain about the call was terrible, because as many times as that play is given to the defender, they guys make it at least look close. And if you go back and look at the other double play when he doubled up Jeter and Molina, he dragged his back foot near the bag and made it look close, so he got the call.
  24. joey
    24. Posted by joey Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:03 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Umpires got the call correct. FOX did not show the other double plays to see if Aybar had been given a pass. McCarver noted that they reviewed it, but did not show it. So there is no previous gimmes.
    Therefore George, is correct. No debate. You have to touch the bag.
    All in all is was a great game!
  25. noturnonred
    25. Posted by noturnonred Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:05 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I've watched a lot of baseball over the years. I can completely understand how the Angels and their fans feel like they got hosed. But that was the most blatant non touch of the bag ever. Like a previous comment said "He avoided the bag like there was a force field around it." Many times it is such a bang bang play that the players foot doesn't touch the bag until the ball is already on its way to first. He was never anywhere near the bag. It was a bad sell on his part.

Big League Stew

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

'Duk

Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
David Brown, Alex Remington, Steve Henson, Curtis Granderson, Jay Levin,

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

More MLB Photos »

Y! Sports Blogs

Big League Stew Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)