Plus, it doesn't have to be as accurate and the fielder has a lot more surface area to tag.
It may not seem like much, but the throw is shorter when it doesn't travel the full 127 feet, 3 and 3/8 inches. Now, I'm convinced catchers are throwing the ball a bit up the line, with the fielder catching the ball a step in front of the base, then applying the tag to the runner's torso. Then replay came along.įirst, fielders learned to keep the tag applied in case the runner lost contact with the bag, even for a split second. If the ball beat the runner to the base, he was routinely called out. Ideally, catchers would put the ball on the bag, so the fielder can receive it and tag the would-be stealer with minimal glove movement.
It stems from how well replay can pinpoint when the tag is applied and when the runner contacts the bag. It stems from how well replay can pinpoint when the tag is That said, the play was another example of something I first noticed a couple years ago, and have begun to hear broadcasters corroborate my suspicions. He eventually scored, but other than tacking a run onto Nola's ledger, it didn't affect the outcome. or did he? It certainly appeared he was out on replay, but the Phillies didn't challenge. I though this was a great point and wish this sort of thing were pointed out more often.Įarlier in the contest, Jon Berti stole second. John Kruk astutely pointed out had the first pitch been called a ball, Realmuto may not have swung at the second pitch.
The next pitch was nasty, with Alcantara shattering Realmuto's bat with a 6-4-3 double play. Alcantara issued the old "unintentional, intentional walk" to Harper, then threw a ball to J.T. He looked shaky, and taking him out would have been defensible, but manager Don Mattingly left him in with clear instruction not to give Bryce Harper anything to hit. Alcantara opened the eighth by walking Rhys Hoskins. It's fair to question whether Alcantara should have been allowed to get one more out, but he was clearly gassed. Neither hurler was completely dialed in Monday, but both gutted out long outings with Nola going seven and Alcantara garnering 7.2 frames. Aaron Nola and Sandy Alcantara did not disappoint.