Is anybody watching the World Baseball Classic?

It starts with the umpires. A blown call against Japan. A run that would have meant the lead, and possibly the game, taken away by the officials. Benefactors? The US team. They go on to win, to play another day.

Next up, do-or-die against Mexico. The same umpire blows another call. Calls a ground rule double instead of a home run on a ball that struck the right field foul pole. It took two more batters for the Mexican team to get that run around, but it was gratifying to see them get credit for it. Are the umpires taking payoffs? This is almost worse than the NFL refs trying to give the Pittsburgh/Indianapolis game to the Colts. The Steelers managed to pull it off, with a little help from Vanderjagt the Colts' kicker.

I'd still be watching even if the US team didn't make the finals. I'd bet money a lot of baseball fans would too. Giving them a free pass to the big show? All it does is cheapen the championship. We came here to see baseball. We don't want to see Americans ushered in to the finals by biased calls. This should be about the game.

It continues with the commentators. Top of the fourth inning Chipper Jones makes a good baserunning decision to tag-up on a long fly to right. He advances to third and makes it home on a sacrifice fly. Bottom of four one of the Mexican runners starts to drift off second base on a fly ball to left field. The commentators start ridiculing him. "Bad baserunning" they say "Chipper tagged up on a similar play" and "If he had tagged up he could be on third now"

Bull.

The ball was a short fly to left. If the runner had tried to tag up and then advance he would have been thrown out by thirty feet. The baserunner made the right decision, the play was in front of him. The smart play is to go halfway to third in case the left fielder drops the ball. Then advance.

We need real umpires. Not fill-ins. MLB get your head on straight, get your umpires in here. American umpires stop the selfish act. Everyone else here showed up to play, the game shouldn't be cheapend by scab umps. 

Commentators. STOP BEING JACKASSES. You have shown no class and very little knowledge about the game of baseball.I'm muting the television. Selig, you'v got a slim chance of saving this thing. The First step is officiating. The second step is Class. The officials and media could learn a few things about how to behave from the players.

Look at Griffey, look at Chipper Jones, pick any guy on that USA team. They’re excited to play. They are here for the game, for the show.

Biased calls and no-class commentators cheapen the tournament. Knock it off.


** Update ** Mexico comes out with the win. The commentators are still joking about the Mexcian team eliminating themselves from the semifinals. Commentators, please shut up. This Mexican team knew going in it was almost impossible to advance. They were here to play the spoilers, to knock team USA out. Look at them celebrate, listen to those fans.

This tournament could be great. We’re testing for steroids, now we need to test for pompous jackasses.