By Luke Andrews
For the second time this week we witnessed a disputed call directly affect the outcome of a playoff game for a local team.
On Tuesday, the North Medford baseball team trailed Tigard 4-3 in the final inning of a semifinal game with sophomore Matt Maurer on third and no outs. Maurer attempted to tag from third on a shallow fly ball, and he scored the apparent tying run with ease, but Tigard pitcher Ryan Gorton appealed to third and the third-base umpire ruled Maurer left the bag before the catch was made.
You’d hear it was the absolute correct call – that Maurer was off the bag by a foot before the catch was made.
And you’d hear that there was no way Maurer, in that situation, was even close to leaving early and, in fact, got a late jump after the catch.
It all depends on which dugout you asked.
We saw another pivotal ruling on another big stage on Saturday.
The Class 5A softball championship between Crater and Glencoe unfortunately will be remembered by some less for the spectacular game the two teams played at the OSU Softball Complex and more for an umpire’s call in the sixth inning.
In a 2-2 game in the top of the sixth inning, home-plate umpire Don Thompson allowed Crater’s Ashleigh Larson to score the go-ahead run after Glencoe pitcher Sloan Anderson was called for allegedly making an illegal move during her delivery.
Again, you’d get two interpretations depending on the team you polled.
The Glencoe players and fans obviously were outraged, a feeling the Black Tornado baseball team can relate to.
Certainly, rules are rules and calls, no matter how they affect the outcome of a game, must be made.
Hopefully the teams in both situations can understand that and later reflect on outstanding seasons and remarkable playoff battles.
Yet something feels entirely wrong about those outcomes – when a game is ultimately decided not by the players but by a judgment call or crucial decision.
Pure victory is always easier to swallow.
It’s unfortunate for all involved – the teams, fans and, also, those forced into the position to dictate such rulings.
One side feels cheated. For the other, it’s, rightfully, impossible to dampen the celebration.
But it’s a shame some believe the win should come with an asterisk.
Ultimately, that’s sports.
And in the record books, a win is a win is a win.
No matter who receives that lucky break.
