Thursday, January 23, 2014

Australian Ball Ejections: Bob Crawford & Trent Thomas

HP Umpire Bob Crawford ejected Melbourne Aces pitcher Trevor Holder, catcher Ryan Casteel & Manager Phil Dale for arguing a safe call ("Time" not granted) in the bottom of the 8th inning of the Aces-Blue Sox game (Added: 1B Umpire Trent Thomas ejected Sydney Blue Sox 3B Coach Grahame Cassel for Unsportsmanlike-NEC). With two out and two on, Blue Sox baserunner R3 Trent D'Antonio successfully stole home to give Sydney a 4-3 lead. F1 Holder had bent down to tie his shoe during a live ball but did not appear to request nor was granted time by PU Crawford; with time in, D'Antonio attempted to score and slid in safely at home plate. Replays indicate that after his ejection, Manager Dale returned to the field multiple times before finally leaving the visual confines. The Blue Sox ultimately won the contest, 4-3.

The Aces played the remainder of the game under protest, claiming time was out at the time of the play.

Wrap: Melbourne Aces vs. Sydney Blue Sox (Australian Baseball League, 1/23/13)

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

NHL Milestone: Referee Brad Watson (1,000 Career Games)

Close Call Sports acknowledges and congratulates NHL referee Brad Watson on his 1,000th NHL game, Tuesday evening's Avalanche-Maple Leafs contest. Watson, whose minor league career took him through the SJHL, WHL, IHL and AHL, breaking into the NHL on March 7, 1996; he was named to full-time staff in 1999. He is the 22nd NHL referee to reach the 1,000-game mark.

Source: Regina's Watson to referee 1,000th NHL game (The Regina Leader-Post)