Between the velocity and break (and sometimes both) that Major League pitchers have, calling balls and strikes is tough. With so much focus on the strike zone, if there’s any doubt about whether a hitter offered at the pitch, the home plate umpire should either the first or third-base umpire for clarification.
Doug Eddings did not do that during Saturday’s game between the Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. The result was a call that is impossible to defend.
With one out and a runner on third base, Milwaukee’s Joey Wiemer came to the plate in the second inning with a golden opportunity to drive in a run. It looked like he’d also have count leverage when Boston pitcher Garrett Whitlock threw a 1-0 breaking ball that missed well outside. Wiemer began to offer at the pitch but checked his swing. If there was any doubt, all Eddings had to do was ask for help from Lance Barrett at first base.
Only, Eddings didn’t do that. He had no doubt. In his eyes, Wiemer failed to check his swing. The replay showed that Eddings’ call was well off.
The home plate umpire said he went…? pic.twitter.com/prq6geUso9
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 22, 2023
The call was rightfully ripped by baseball fans.
See? The umps are just bad. https://t.co/yInL0WcKgH
— Stacey with an e (@StaceGots) April 23, 2023
— Hashtag Targeting (@rainbasin) April 23, 2023
This was always a pet peeve of mine playing. Just ask for help. If there is even an ounce of doubt, just check for help with 1st base umpire. https://t.co/jTnRPNL0vE
— Ryan Ripken (@ryanripken) April 22, 2023
Oh man … id be annoyed about this for years if it happened to us lol https://t.co/7xlJBFY10Y
— Orioles Statistics (@OriolesStatist1) April 22, 2023
This is gross. https://t.co/hr1TI7mLJr
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 22, 2023
To Eddings’ credit, he at least seemed to be quickly aware that the call might have been bad. When Brewers manager Craig Counsell was arguing the call from the dugout, Eddings can clearly be seen giving him two different warnings. Most of the time, an umpire will give one warning, then either eject the person who continues to argue or at least make more of a scene out of it. At least Eddings didn’t make this situation worse.
That said, that doesn’t do anything to exonerate what a bad call this was. Eddings shouldn’t have made this call in the first place. Once he did, he had to make the right one. That didn’t happen here.
[Talkin’ Baseball, Photo Credit: Bally Sports Wisconsin]
