I don't have a video of this play, but last night the Astros won on a play that really makes you realize how you have to keep your head in the ballgame at all times. Bottom of the 9th, bases loaded, 1 out, game tied 0-0, Audry Huff at the plate. The Brewers are deep for the double play, natch starting with the force out at the plate. Huff rockets a ball to the Brewer first baseman right up the line, he has to dive to get the ball but does and taps 1st base with his glove, then stands up to fire the ball to the catcher at home who has his foot on the plate, the throw beats a sliding Astro...double play right? Nope, by tapping 1st base to get Huff, he takes the force off of the play at the plate. The Brewer catcher didn't think fast enough and failed to even make an attempt to tag the Astro....Astros Win!!
I saw the clip on ESPN. Normally, you could excuse the 1B for steppping on the bag for the sure out and rifling to the C trying to get the runner coming in to home plate on a tag. However, in this case the 1B should have immediately thrown to the C to get a force out and keep the winning run from scoring. Tough mental lapse for the 1B.
Terry, Your blame of the catcher is justified IMO except for the possibility that he might not have seen the 1B tag the bag. He may have glanced at the incoming runner when the 1B tagged the bag then looked back at the 1B for the throw. What makes me think that is possible is that he looked like he was certain he had gotten the runner out via the force play. Either that or he knew he had missed tagging the runner and was trying to sell the force out to the home plate umpire. Only the catcher knows for sure. :wink: