Major League Baseball fans love to complain about umpires, but it’s important to remember just how much worse it could get. The College World Series is a reminder of that.
During Tuesday’s elimination game between TCU and Oral Roberts, umpires made one of the most ridiculous rulings we’ll see in a baseball game. They even stood by the call after a review.
The play in question took place in the top of the sixth inning with TCU threatening to extend its lead. Karson Bowen hit a grounder to short, which had Elijah Nunez caught in a rundown. As Blaze Brothers (what a name!) ultimately tagged Nunez out, his momentum carried him into the bag and towards Austin Davis’ legs on third base.
How about that double play?!#ORUBase | 📽️ESPN pic.twitter.com/QJ11dNUro6
— ORU Baseball (@ORUBaseball) June 20, 2023
Davis was clearly pushed off the bag and should have been safe. But the umpires ruled (and upheld after review) that Davis left the bag and was tagged out.
It was a nonsensical call, and this man in the crowd had the appropriate reaction.
I understand why he's mad because he's right but I still laughed pic.twitter.com/fvchm9EBnK
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 20, 2023
TCU had every right to be upset about that double play. The umpires really should have known better there as Davis didn’t leave the bag on his own.
MORE:
- Oral Roberts players got gummy snakes for base hits
- Ump cam shows how hard it is to hit a 101 MPH fastball
This was how Twitter reacted
I mean, your boy pushed Austin Davis off the bag, but go off. https://t.co/nNC9usvXvd
— AJ Patella (@AJkneecap03) June 20, 2023
The brag about turning the double play that was somehow left to umpire discretion. Love earning a handout. Did y’all see TCU earn those balks? Some heads up baseball right there https://t.co/FSJLQL4Ls6
— Jon-Jon The Phenom (@JonJonHarvick) June 20, 2023
Really? Great effort to get runner that never should have been in a rundown to begin with. But umpires butchered easy call. https://t.co/SivprCEhh3
— Bill Crawford (@bill22crawford) June 20, 2023
This is madness. I can’t believe they called the runner at third out. https://t.co/zVYwKhZ55x
— Billy Burgess (@billiamburgess) June 20, 2023
You can’t push players off the bag. Why tweet this? https://t.co/l3XfoOXQlK
— Hank Moody (@shellypeee) June 20, 2023
Weird tweet https://t.co/J2Y8sAtHE5
— Zach Peterson (@zach__attack10) June 20, 2023
Refs have really done a bang up job this week. Somebody, anybody in that press box get somebody from the ncaa to explain this nonsense please. https://t.co/chmz1rqXJ0
— PodKATT (@valleyshook) June 20, 2023
TCU got hosed on this call. https://t.co/kccAovy0ym
— Dave Sprau (@RealDaveSprau) June 20, 2023
This is absurd. https://t.co/MH6X3zm5wX
— Dave Sund (@davesund) June 20, 2023
