2006年03月13日（月）
[WBC] Japan lost an Umpire, not USA
Today I'm writing an article in English although this blog is always written in Japanese.
Japan vs USA was very good game this morning(JST).
But one umpire spoiled this game.
From MLB.com...
The game turned on a disputed call in the Japanese half of the eighth inning.
With the bases loaded, two out and Joe Nathan pitching, Akinori Iwamura skied a fly to medium left that was caught by Randy Winn, who was late in his throw to the plate to nab the tagging Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
Before catcher Brian Schneider threw the ball back to the mound, Team USA manager Buck Martinez came out of the dugout to appeal the play to home plate umpire Bob Davidson, a former Major League Baseball ump. Schneider tossed the ball to Chipper Jones, who stepped on third base. Davidson asked for help from second base umpire Brian Knight, who reversed the call, ending the inning and negating what was then the go ahead run.
A long discussion ensued between the umpires and the legendary Japanese manager Sadaharu Oh as television instant replays seemed to show in slow motion that Nishioka might not have left the base early.
Many Japanese think that Nishioka couldn't have left the base early with confirmation of VTR.
I believe that fair Americans think so, too.
Most important point is that "Home plate umpire Bob Davidson reversed the second base umpire's call".
Misjudgement and "Reversed" ... unbelievable and terrible.
This run was very important in this game...
The report here has mentioned that well.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
| U.S.A | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
After the game, Japanese manager Sadaharu Oh said, "It is mortifying. Changing a judgment of the umpire who is looking in the nearest place has not seen in Japan. Such things must not exist in the U.S. which baseball started. "(From Major.jp)
USA is strong surely.
But, many Japanese can't accept today's defeat.
Japan will beat Mexico and Korea, I believe.
And, I want to watch the match, Japan vs USA once more in a semifinal.
And I wish next to be honest umpires.
Related Links:
- An ‘American’ Baseball Classic?
- WBC: A costly call in the Japan/USA game
<- You can find how important a "phantom" run in 8th inning is. - If You Can’t Beat ‘em, Cheat‘em
- World Baseball Classic In Anaheim
- My Take on the World Baseball Classic
- Go Japan!!
I can't read Japanese, but I can read this post! =) The umpires clearly blew the call; the runner did not leave early, and it's a shame that this mistake was made in such a well-played game. Thanks for the link!
Posted by: Southie : 2006年3月14日 09:55Thanks for your comment, Southie. :-)
I wanted to know how people except Japanese thought about this incident.
It's reason this post was written in English.
So, I'm glad of your comment.
With regrettable, the USA has lost Korea...
As of now, it's difficult situation that both USA and Japan qualify semifinal.
But anyway, I'd like to watch the match once more!
) all rights reserved.