Ward just kind of wobbled towards home
August 17, 2018 5:02 PM Subscribe
"With the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the fourth, David Fletcher scorched a ground ball to Jurickson Profar at third base, setting off one of the quickest, oddest triple plays you’ll ever see."
Previously...
...and certainly very cool that it occurred without the batter making one of the outs.
posted by TDIpod at 5:19 PM on August 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
...and certainly very cool that it occurred without the batter making one of the outs.
posted by TDIpod at 5:19 PM on August 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Triple plays are always more exciting in theory than in execution. When they actually unfold everyone is always like “WTF just happened? Oh, I guess we change sides now.”
posted by Atom Eyes at 5:21 PM on August 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by Atom Eyes at 5:21 PM on August 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
Fabulous.
I’m not the biggest fan of the game, but I’ve always appreciated how they keep their heads (and bodies) in the game and ready to execute at a high level despite the apparent periods of inactivity. Uh, which is kind of like congratulating them for paying attention all the way through the whole boring game but honestly I mean it in the best possible way!
posted by notyou at 5:23 PM on August 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
I’m not the biggest fan of the game, but I’ve always appreciated how they keep their heads (and bodies) in the game and ready to execute at a high level despite the apparent periods of inactivity. Uh, which is kind of like congratulating them for paying attention all the way through the whole boring game but honestly I mean it in the best possible way!
posted by notyou at 5:23 PM on August 17, 2018 [6 favorites]
The real top performance here goes to the umpires. How they process weird plays in real time is amazing. It took me about three rewatches to realize why the second base runner was out.
As a counter example to great umpire awareness, there’s Don Denkinger.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 5:46 PM on August 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
As a counter example to great umpire awareness, there’s Don Denkinger.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 5:46 PM on August 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
My favorite triple play is something I’ve only seen once or twice, the 5-4-3 where the third baseman nabs a sharp grounder, steps on third to get the runner on second out, and then throwing to second to continue like a normal double play. In reality a triple play is usually something awkwardly sudden like this. For example, a batter flies out, the runner tags and tries to score but he’s thrown out, and then a runner trying to take an extra base in the commotion gets nailed.
posted by azpenguin at 5:48 PM on August 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by azpenguin at 5:48 PM on August 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
a triple play in which the batter was not retired hasn’t occurred since June 3, 1912
How about that? I would guess this was more of a once every year or two kind of thing, but apparently it's basically one of the rarest things in the entire game. That probably accounts for why everyone on the field is basically like "wait what did I just!"
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 6:14 PM on August 17, 2018 [10 favorites]
How about that? I would guess this was more of a once every year or two kind of thing, but apparently it's basically one of the rarest things in the entire game. That probably accounts for why everyone on the field is basically like "wait what did I just!"
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 6:14 PM on August 17, 2018 [10 favorites]
That is pretty cool! I love the unassisted triple play best, which isn't nearly as rare but is so elegant... runners on first and second, batter hits a line drive to the infielder near second who simply catches the ball, touches second base, and then tags out the runner from first.
posted by lefty lucky cat at 6:36 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by lefty lucky cat at 6:36 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
It was a force at second, right? So the tag/baseline call wouldn’t have really been necessary?
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:40 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 6:40 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
I see this being a triple play as being a fuckup by the third base coach. He should have been yelling for the runner he was responsible for to run.
posted by srboisvert at 6:54 PM on August 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 6:54 PM on August 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
Right - lots of folks doing unnecessary running (except for the one guy who shoulda been) but:
1. Third baseman catches grounder and then steps on third base = 2nd base runner out.
2. Almost instantly, he tags the third base runner = 3rd base runner out.
3. Then he throws it to second baseman, who steps on the bag, so the 1st base runner is out.
Both defensive players thought the ball had been caught on the fly, thus thinking the batter was out and that they they weren’t forced to run. By catching the ball as a grounder, though, the batter wasn’t out, and the base runners were indeed all forced to run.
Had the runners not been confused, the third base runner would have sprinted home and not been tagged. The second baseman would likely have thrown it to first in order to pick off the batter for the third out.
On preview, agree with srboisvert. It would have given the at-bat team a chance to limit it to two outs and score a run, had the throw to first been slow or gone wild.
posted by darkstar at 6:56 PM on August 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
1. Third baseman catches grounder and then steps on third base = 2nd base runner out.
2. Almost instantly, he tags the third base runner = 3rd base runner out.
3. Then he throws it to second baseman, who steps on the bag, so the 1st base runner is out.
Both defensive players thought the ball had been caught on the fly, thus thinking the batter was out and that they they weren’t forced to run. By catching the ball as a grounder, though, the batter wasn’t out, and the base runners were indeed all forced to run.
Had the runners not been confused, the third base runner would have sprinted home and not been tagged. The second baseman would likely have thrown it to first in order to pick off the batter for the third out.
On preview, agree with srboisvert. It would have given the at-bat team a chance to limit it to two outs and score a run, had the throw to first been slow or gone wild.
posted by darkstar at 6:56 PM on August 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
If the runner at third stayed on base, he would've been safe because the third baseman stepped on the bag first. They still may have been able to turn a 543 triple play depending on how speedy the batter was.
posted by kokaku at 7:47 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by kokaku at 7:47 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
If the runner at third stayed on base
Can he do that? Once there is a force play at third, he does not have to run anymore?
BASEBALL CLASS IS HARD
posted by thelonius at 8:07 PM on August 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
Can he do that? Once there is a force play at third, he does not have to run anymore?
BASEBALL CLASS IS HARD
posted by thelonius at 8:07 PM on August 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
I believe the third base runner could stay safely on third if the third baseman goes [step, tag] as in the actual play, because stepping on the bag removes the force and the runner can occupy third safely. But if the third basemen goes [tag, step] then it's an instant double play, because once the ball is hit third base belongs to the second base runner; the third base runner is forced to advance as long as there is a second base runner.
One of the Deadspin commenters made the excellent observation that this whole sequence makes an clear, if inadvertent, argument for why there is an infield-fly rule. These kinds of shenanigans would be routine if not for that rule.
I am similarly amazed the umpires could keep up in real time. The best part is the very end where both teams are clearly conveying "what even just happened" and the second baseman is trying to record Out #4 while the third baseman is yelling to get the ball so he can tag someone who's already out, first base runner has been out for 5 seconds but is running out of the baseline to avoid a tag, and the poor umps are like guys, that's enough outs, please go to the dugout already.
posted by range at 8:19 PM on August 17, 2018 [17 favorites]
One of the Deadspin commenters made the excellent observation that this whole sequence makes an clear, if inadvertent, argument for why there is an infield-fly rule. These kinds of shenanigans would be routine if not for that rule.
I am similarly amazed the umpires could keep up in real time. The best part is the very end where both teams are clearly conveying "what even just happened" and the second baseman is trying to record Out #4 while the third baseman is yelling to get the ball so he can tag someone who's already out, first base runner has been out for 5 seconds but is running out of the baseline to avoid a tag, and the poor umps are like guys, that's enough outs, please go to the dugout already.
posted by range at 8:19 PM on August 17, 2018 [17 favorites]
That's great. It's great to see zillion dollar professionals confused. Baseball is at its best when it's a complicated game of tag.
posted by fleacircus at 8:23 PM on August 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by fleacircus at 8:23 PM on August 17, 2018 [12 favorites]
Flagged as fantastic, range. :)
posted by darkstar at 8:30 PM on August 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by darkstar at 8:30 PM on August 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
One of the Deadspin commenters made the excellent observation that this whole sequence makes an clear, if inadvertent, argument for why there is an infield-fly rule. These kinds of shenanigans would be routine if not for that rule.
When my son was in little league he was called out on an infield fly rule. It was the first year he was in the league with that rule and I had to explain to him that that rule was actually for his benefit. It did suck that he was called out due to a missed catch (and at that level it was certainly a missed catch) but it was for a good reason.
Those of you impressed by the umpires should read As They See Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires. It's a very good book about umpires and completely changed my opinion of them and how I view "bad" calls.
posted by bondcliff at 8:37 PM on August 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
When my son was in little league he was called out on an infield fly rule. It was the first year he was in the league with that rule and I had to explain to him that that rule was actually for his benefit. It did suck that he was called out due to a missed catch (and at that level it was certainly a missed catch) but it was for a good reason.
Those of you impressed by the umpires should read As They See Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires. It's a very good book about umpires and completely changed my opinion of them and how I view "bad" calls.
posted by bondcliff at 8:37 PM on August 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
I'm pretty sure they could, and would, have turned that into a sextuple play if the umpires had not intervened (triple play, tag first base runner, first base runner out again for running out of baseline, pick off runner at either first or third).
This entire sequence should be required viewing for every American who can't follow cricket because it's "too complicated" (NB: I am one of those Americans but at least I have the decency to feel like a hypocrite)
Meanwhile in other umpire-adjacent BaseballFilter news, veteran ump Joe West went out to dinner the other night to celebrate setting a record for career length and was met with a Braille menu.
posted by range at 8:41 PM on August 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
This entire sequence should be required viewing for every American who can't follow cricket because it's "too complicated" (NB: I am one of those Americans but at least I have the decency to feel like a hypocrite)
Meanwhile in other umpire-adjacent BaseballFilter news, veteran ump Joe West went out to dinner the other night to celebrate setting a record for career length and was met with a Braille menu.
posted by range at 8:41 PM on August 17, 2018 [5 favorites]
So pretty much it comes down to the third base runner staying put or running like hell to home, but he did the third thing, which is the headline here, and history is made.
posted by notyou at 8:49 PM on August 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by notyou at 8:49 PM on August 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
In theory it's the job of the third base coach to be yelling at the dude on third to run. But really, because it's a weird manifestation of an infield-fly situation, you can't really fault anybody on the Angels - an (uncalled) infield fly is profoundly unfair to the runners specifically because it always puts them in a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. The problem here is if the umps had actually called an infield fly on a 700 mph ball 4" off the dirt there would have been a riot.
posted by range at 9:08 PM on August 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by range at 9:08 PM on August 17, 2018 [3 favorites]
Nobody asked, but for those who may be less familiar with baseball and wondering about the Infield Fly Rule (one of the more confusing rules in baseball), if you will permit, a brief description...
Basic rules say that if the batter hits a ball and it is caught, the batter is out. The other runners are not forced to run to the next bases (but have the option to try to do so, as long as they leave their current base after the ball is caught). If they try, they must be physically tagged with the ball to get them out.
If the fly ball is not caught, then the runners must run to the next base, being forced onward by the batter coming in behind them. If runners are thus forced to run, then they need not be physically tagged with the ball. A forced runner can be called out if his destination base is tagged before he arrives.
So...
In olden days (before the Infield Fly Rule), you would have a situation where a batter hit the ball, which was then caught by an infielder who then intentionally bobbled the ball, dropping it to the ground in a controlled manner, so he technically didn’t “catch” it. This then forces runners to run, which makes it easier to get a double- or triple-play (two or three runners out) by tagging the bases, instead of chasing after the base runners to tag them.
Rules committees realized this was a huge loophole that was being exploited. Easily catchable fly balls were being “dropped” in order to set up the chance of getting multiple outs instead of just the one out from catching the fly ball.
So, they made the Infield Fly Rule, which says basically that when there are runners on base already, and the batter hits a fly ball that should have been catchable by an infielder, the Umpire can call it an “Infield Fly”. That means it is treated as if the ball were indeed caught, regardless of whether the infielder did so or not. This means that the batter is thus out, as if the ball had been caught, and the runners are then not forced to run to the next bases (but may choose to do so).
In the example posted in this FPP, the Unpire could have called an “Infield Fly”, but as range pointed out, it was not an obviously catchable hit. So the fact that the third baseman dropped it was not seen as doing anything untoward. Thus, the runners were forced to run, which set up this triple play.
Baseball aficionados, please feel free to correct where I’ve misspoken. :)
posted by darkstar at 10:03 PM on August 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
Basic rules say that if the batter hits a ball and it is caught, the batter is out. The other runners are not forced to run to the next bases (but have the option to try to do so, as long as they leave their current base after the ball is caught). If they try, they must be physically tagged with the ball to get them out.
If the fly ball is not caught, then the runners must run to the next base, being forced onward by the batter coming in behind them. If runners are thus forced to run, then they need not be physically tagged with the ball. A forced runner can be called out if his destination base is tagged before he arrives.
So...
In olden days (before the Infield Fly Rule), you would have a situation where a batter hit the ball, which was then caught by an infielder who then intentionally bobbled the ball, dropping it to the ground in a controlled manner, so he technically didn’t “catch” it. This then forces runners to run, which makes it easier to get a double- or triple-play (two or three runners out) by tagging the bases, instead of chasing after the base runners to tag them.
Rules committees realized this was a huge loophole that was being exploited. Easily catchable fly balls were being “dropped” in order to set up the chance of getting multiple outs instead of just the one out from catching the fly ball.
So, they made the Infield Fly Rule, which says basically that when there are runners on base already, and the batter hits a fly ball that should have been catchable by an infielder, the Umpire can call it an “Infield Fly”. That means it is treated as if the ball were indeed caught, regardless of whether the infielder did so or not. This means that the batter is thus out, as if the ball had been caught, and the runners are then not forced to run to the next bases (but may choose to do so).
In the example posted in this FPP, the Unpire could have called an “Infield Fly”, but as range pointed out, it was not an obviously catchable hit. So the fact that the third baseman dropped it was not seen as doing anything untoward. Thus, the runners were forced to run, which set up this triple play.
Baseball aficionados, please feel free to correct where I’ve misspoken. :)
posted by darkstar at 10:03 PM on August 17, 2018 [15 favorites]
Ah yes, the dreaded “Unpire”. :(
posted by darkstar at 10:14 PM on August 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by darkstar at 10:14 PM on August 17, 2018 [4 favorites]
Thanks for that explanation, darkstar!
posted by mpark at 11:14 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by mpark at 11:14 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
The runner on third base actually got back to the bag safely after the 3rd baseman stepped on it, but before the 3rd baseman could tag him.
At that point he would have been safe no matter what the third baseman did if he'd just stayed there, but instead he shied away when the 3rd baseman moved toward him, lost his balance and fell almost backward off the bag, and was tagged out.
posted by jamjam at 11:28 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
At that point he would have been safe no matter what the third baseman did if he'd just stayed there, but instead he shied away when the 3rd baseman moved toward him, lost his balance and fell almost backward off the bag, and was tagged out.
posted by jamjam at 11:28 PM on August 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Yeah, it’s like you can see the two instincts in his mind warring together: “I know I need to stand on this bag, because that’s what makes me safe, but the third baseman is nevertheless coming at me for the tag out, so lean away!”
The tag out was only a threat to him because he thought it was. By thinking he was in jeopardy, and reacting accordingly, it became true!
posted by darkstar at 12:05 AM on August 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
The tag out was only a threat to him because he thought it was. By thinking he was in jeopardy, and reacting accordingly, it became true!
posted by darkstar at 12:05 AM on August 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
I had one of those silly proud father moments when my son turned an unassisted triple play in a T-ball game when he was five years old. Playing second base with bases loaded he caught a line drive, tagged the empty second base and then tagged the runner who had previously been on first who was running as if her life depended on it. It took the umpire, coaches and parents a moment to realize what had happened. And it certainly helped that most five years old don't know much about running the bases.
posted by MorgansAmoebas at 5:41 AM on August 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by MorgansAmoebas at 5:41 AM on August 18, 2018 [11 favorites]
The infield fly rule has made me reflect that any arbitrary-seeming, bizarre rule is perhaps there because of a specific abuse that people tried to get away with.
posted by thelonius at 7:21 AM on August 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 7:21 AM on August 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
Wait, doesn’t the bag belong to the lead runner?
If it were “tag, then step”, he’s still safe on third base. Because if two runners are on the same base only the lead runner is safe. Right?
Meanwhile, it’s a short-hop so infield fly rule doesn’t apply, but it’s still a triple play even if they call the infield fly! Batter is out. Guy wandering off third is tagged out. Runner going to second is tagged out.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:25 AM on August 18, 2018
If it were “tag, then step”, he’s still safe on third base. Because if two runners are on the same base only the lead runner is safe. Right?
Meanwhile, it’s a short-hop so infield fly rule doesn’t apply, but it’s still a triple play even if they call the infield fly! Batter is out. Guy wandering off third is tagged out. Runner going to second is tagged out.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 7:25 AM on August 18, 2018
The infield fly rule has made me reflect that any arbitrary-seeming, bizarre rule is perhaps there because of a specific abuse that people tried to get away with.
this also applies to politics, The Law in general
Triple plays are always more exciting in theory than in execution.
and then there's the Grand Slam, the least exciting moment in baseball insofar as there's nothing for anyone to do. The ball's long gone out of play. Four guys just need to do some jogging. Only the crowd really gets a workout. Baseball is a strange game that starts to make a little more sense on a very hot day. Who wants to actually be compelled to move quickly?
posted by philip-random at 8:51 AM on August 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
this also applies to politics, The Law in general
Triple plays are always more exciting in theory than in execution.
and then there's the Grand Slam, the least exciting moment in baseball insofar as there's nothing for anyone to do. The ball's long gone out of play. Four guys just need to do some jogging. Only the crowd really gets a workout. Baseball is a strange game that starts to make a little more sense on a very hot day. Who wants to actually be compelled to move quickly?
posted by philip-random at 8:51 AM on August 18, 2018 [3 favorites]
I can't believe I'm about to discuss the infield fly rule, but according to Wikipedia:
"The rule applies only when there are less than two outs"
I mention this because I was at a minor league game last Saturday. My team was at bat in the bottom of the 10th; there were two outs and the bases were loaded. The batter hit an infield fly, and three infielders ran up to it and let it fall to their feet. The third base runner ran to home; the crowd roared! The infielders just kept staring at the ball in confusion. There were a lot of discussions on the way to the parking lot that day.
posted by acrasis at 8:53 AM on August 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
"The rule applies only when there are less than two outs"
I mention this because I was at a minor league game last Saturday. My team was at bat in the bottom of the 10th; there were two outs and the bases were loaded. The batter hit an infield fly, and three infielders ran up to it and let it fall to their feet. The third base runner ran to home; the crowd roared! The infielders just kept staring at the ball in confusion. There were a lot of discussions on the way to the parking lot that day.
posted by acrasis at 8:53 AM on August 18, 2018 [4 favorites]
Baseball beautiful and somewhat arcane, football (aka ‘soccer’) just can’t do this level of cool.
posted by From Bklyn at 9:28 AM on August 18, 2018
posted by From Bklyn at 9:28 AM on August 18, 2018
Baseball beautiful and somewhat arcane, football (aka ‘soccer’) just can’t do this level of cool.
Soccer: Rules are few and understandable
Tennis: Rules are few and confusing
Baseball: Rules are many and understandable
American Football: Rules are many and confusing
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 2:18 PM on August 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
Soccer: Rules are few and understandable
Tennis: Rules are few and confusing
Baseball: Rules are many and understandable
American Football: Rules are many and confusing
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 2:18 PM on August 18, 2018 [2 favorites]
and then there's the Grand Slam, the least exciting moment in baseball insofar as there's nothing for anyone to do. The ball's long gone out of play. Four guys just need to do some jogging. Only the crowd really gets a workout. Baseball is a strange game that starts to make a little more sense on a very hot day. Who wants to actually be compelled to move quickly?
And yet, it's only a short hop away from the most exciting play in baseball: the bases loaded triple. Runners are scrambling all over the basepaths, fielders are running like hell to get the ball, and you know there's gonna be a play at third base on way or the other. All hell breaking loose on the field and it is glorious.
posted by azpenguin at 6:13 PM on August 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
And yet, it's only a short hop away from the most exciting play in baseball: the bases loaded triple. Runners are scrambling all over the basepaths, fielders are running like hell to get the ball, and you know there's gonna be a play at third base on way or the other. All hell breaking loose on the field and it is glorious.
posted by azpenguin at 6:13 PM on August 18, 2018 [5 favorites]
a triple play in which the batter was not retired hasn’t occurred since June 3, 1912
Amusingly, Brooklyn turned the triple play in that game, and still lost to Cincinnati.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:06 PM on August 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
Amusingly, Brooklyn turned the triple play in that game, and still lost to Cincinnati.
posted by Chrysostom at 9:06 PM on August 18, 2018 [1 favorite]
A guy from my high school class is an MLB umpire now. He was very even-keeled back then, which must be vital in the job: they have to watch everything happening on their part of the field, but also absorb the context of all other action on the field, and do so with absolute authority (if not zero errors).
The only Fenway Park game that I have been to in a good twenty years, last August, he was the third base ump. That felt very Small Town to me. :7)
(MetaFilter: The best part is the very end where both teams are clearly conveying "what even just happened")
posted by wenestvedt at 11:02 AM on August 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
The only Fenway Park game that I have been to in a good twenty years, last August, he was the third base ump. That felt very Small Town to me. :7)
(MetaFilter: The best part is the very end where both teams are clearly conveying "what even just happened")
posted by wenestvedt at 11:02 AM on August 20, 2018 [3 favorites]
the most exciting play in baseball: the bases loaded triple
I saw a successful steal of home plate live - seated by the third base line, too. That was exciting. It was Gary Mathews Sr., iirc.
posted by thelonius at 11:09 AM on August 20, 2018
I saw a successful steal of home plate live - seated by the third base line, too. That was exciting. It was Gary Mathews Sr., iirc.
posted by thelonius at 11:09 AM on August 20, 2018
A triple steal would be cool to see.
posted by Chrysostom at 11:35 AM on August 20, 2018
posted by Chrysostom at 11:35 AM on August 20, 2018
I saw a successful steal of home plate live
I saw David Ortiz steal second. Greatest thing I've ever seen. Fenway went absolutely nuts.
posted by bondcliff at 11:52 AM on August 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
I saw David Ortiz steal second. Greatest thing I've ever seen. Fenway went absolutely nuts.
posted by bondcliff at 11:52 AM on August 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
Thanks to darkstar for that explanation of the infield fly rule. I'm not particularly a baseball fan, but I had come across the infield fly rule before, mostly in the context of weird baseball trivia. I had looked up the what of the infield fly rule before, but it had never stuck with me, because until darkstar's comment I had never understood the why of the rule. Now I think I'll be able to remember it.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 5:04 PM on August 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 5:04 PM on August 20, 2018 [1 favorite]
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