MLB Instant Replay: Phillies vs. Marlins Controversy

Earlier today, during the Phillies vs. Marlins game, Hunter Pence hit a fly ball to right field with Ryan Howard on first base.

As the Marlins right fielder, Bryan Petersen, jumped up the wall to catch the ball, one fan’s hand hit his glove and the other attempted to catch the ball. The ball bounced off the fan’s hand and went into fair play.

Crew chief Joe West awarded a double to Pence, and Howard advanced to third. Marlins manager Jack McKeon went out to argue, and the umpires went back to the instant replay booth. After reviewing the play, they determined that Petersen would have caught the ball had he not been obstructed, and called Pence out. Howard was forced to go back to first base.

Sounds simple, right?

But wait, the instant replay ruling is that only a home run call can be reviewed, and no home run had been awarded to Pence. Once this was unearthed, Charlie Manuel argued with West, and was promptly ejected. The game was played under protest for the remainder, and controversy is sure to follow. It will be interesting to see how the MLB handles this case.

Obviously the umps messed up, but should the ruling be changed to allow that type of review? How should the MLB handle the controversy that is sure to follow? What does everyone think about this? Personally, I think the replay system should stay as it is and only be used to review home runs.  

Also just for the record, Joe West might be the worst umpire in the MLB, not just because of this game, just because he’s terrible. Just saying. 

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