The Cubs got off to a flying start in this one, building a 7-1 lead over the top seed, in the first two innings. With two outs and nobody on in the top of the first, Mike Girard reached on an error and stole second base. Red hot Ron Lochner singled him home, and Andy Hoyle hit a towering drive over the left field fence, for a sudden 3-0 lead.
The Whiz would get one back in the bottom half, on a Joe Burns walk, stolen base, and a Shawn Martin RBI single. The Cubs would use 3 hits, 2 walks, and 3 Whiz errors, to balloon the lead to 7-1, in the top of the 2nd. PJ Martone had a RBI single and Mike Girard added a 2 RBI single in the rally.
The Cubs would add a very important 8th run, on a bomb over the left field wall by Ron Lochner, in the top of the 4th.
Cubs starter, Ralph Caputo held the Whiz scoreless in the 2nd and 3rd innings, but the Whiz would rally in the 4th for 4 runs, to make it a game. The Whiz would use 5 singles and 3 Cubs errors in the rally. Joe Burns, Shawn Martin, and Reggie Flansburg had RBIs. Most of the damage was done off reliever, Mike Girard.
Joey Burns came on in relief for the Whiz and shut down the Cubs the rest of the way. The tension and excitement were palpable over the last 3 innings! In the top of the 6th, the Whiz would inch closer to 8-6, on a ground ball single and an error on the speedy Joey Burns, and a RBI single by Shawn Martin.
It would all come down to the bottom of the 7th, with the Cubs clinging to a 8-6 lead. These Whiz have found a way to win the close games all year, and looked like they would do it again, when they got a one out error on a tapper to 3rd, and with 2 outs, got a walk to Burns, and a clutch RBI single by Mike Kane. With the tying and winning runs on base, and Shawn Martin (already with 3 hits) at the plate, Girard was able to snag a hard bouncer up the middle, and in his excitement, ran the ball all the way to first for the unassisted out, and fired the ball (ala Trevor Bauer) high into the air over into the tennis courts.
I must take a minute to apologize to the Whiz, their fans, and my own teammates for that last act. In explanation, I believe it was the release of all of the frustration that we felt over our last 7 games, finally being let out. With that said, it was very unsportsmanlike like, and I would like to think uncharacteristic of my usual actions on the field. No excuse and I humbly apologize to all in attendance.
The Cubs move on in the winners bracket, to face the winner of the Damn Yankees vs the Giants, on the A Diamond, on Tuesday night. The Whiz are left to fight their way through the losers bracket, starting on Monday at New Scotland, vs the Dodgers.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 8th of August 2019 08:32:03 AM
The committee is trying to determine first if the proper protocol was followed to lodge the protest. Once that is complete, if they find in favor of the Whiz, then they will rule on that protest (regarding applying of a catcher's interference call). If the Whiz were to win that protest, the game would need to be replayed from the bottom of the 4th inning, with men on 1st and 2nd, and nobody out, with Joey Burns (Whiz lead off hitter) at the plate, and the Cubs leading 8-1.
I believe catchers interference is a delayed dead ball. Therefore, the offense can take the result of the play or, if they don't, the batter can be placed on first base, error on the catcher, with runners not advancing.
I believe catchers interference is a delayed dead ball. Therefore, the offense can take the result of the play or, if they don't, the batter can be placed on first base, error on the catcher, with runners not advancing.
There are no do overs in baseball. The real question is: Did the Whiz properly follow rule 10-1 from the CDMSBL Website:
ARTICLE 10
Protests
10-1. Any team lodging a protest must notify the opposing General Manager and the umpire-in-chief (plate umpire) that he is protesting the game and must do so before the next pitch following the protested call. It would be advised to notify both umpires. Verbal notification must then be made to the CDMSBL President before 9 p.m. the day after the protest is lodged. A written protest must then be accompanied by a $25 fee that shall be submitted with a written notification to the President, Commissioner or a Board member within three (3) days of the protest. This fee is refundable if the protest is upheld. The fee is forfeited if the protest is denied.
It is the Cubs' contention that is was not. I was not informed of the protest until the inning was over and the Whiz had closed the game to 8-5. Even then, my score keeper was the one who had informed me. Not the Whiz manager, nor the umpire, therefore there should be no protest allowed.
It is up to the committee to debate, and they will let us know what the outcome is.
JK - you are correct that it is a delayed dead ball, and offense gets option on the play.
OBR Rules
Rule 6.01(c) 65 (c) Catcher Interference The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when the catcher or any fielder interferes with him. If a play follows the interference, the manager of the offense may advise the plate umpire that he elects to decline the interference penalty and accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and all other runners advance at least one base, the play proceeds without reference to the interference. Rule 6.01(c) Comment: If catchers interference is called with a play in progress the umpire will allow the play to continue because the manager may elect to take the play. If the batterrunner missed first base, or a runner misses his next base, he shall be considered as having reached the base, as stated in Note of Rule 5.06(b)(3)(D). Examples of plays the manager might elect to take: 1. Runner on third, one out, batter hits fly ball to the outfield on which the runner scores but catchers interference was called. The offensive manager may elect to take the run and have batter called out or have runner remain at third and batter awarded first base. 2. Runner on second base. Catcher interferes with batter. As he bunts ball fairly sending runner to third base. The manager may rather have runner on third base with an out on the play than have runners on second and first. If a runner is trying to score by a steal or squeeze from third base, note the additional penalty set forth in Rule 6.01(g). If the catcher interferes with the batter before the pitcher delivers the ball, it shall not be considered interference on the batter under Rule 5.05(b)(3). In such cases, the umpire shall call Time and the pitcher and batter start over from scratch.
After the play in question, there was a meeting near home plate between the two managers and the two umpires. After hearing the umpire explain his ruling, I said that we would be protesting the game. As the opposing manager went back to his defensive position, he said "It's your dime", referring to the $25 protest fee that I would be paying along with the protest. It was clear that a protest was being lodged. It's all about interpretation.
