Somebody Doesn't Like Seeing Team USA Lose

They are playing at home. They probably have the most talent. The rules were set in their favor. The United States has all the advantages it could ask for at the World Baseball Classic.

Apparently, the umpires felt they needed one more.

In the eighth inning of a 3-3 game, Akinori Iwamura hit what appeared to be a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded, giving Japan a lead. But home plate umpire Bob Davidson changed the original call and declared that the runner on third base was out for tagging up too early. In the ninth, Alex Rodriguez hit a walk off single to lead the USA to a 4-3 victory.

The replay on television showed that there was no way the runner left early which makes you wonder what would make Davidson overturn the first call. From his view, the play was at-best too close to call.

For the second time in four games, the Americans were outplayed in every facet of the game.

Just the way Canada’s Adam Loewen dominated the powerful United States lineup days earlier, Japan’s Koji Uehara held them in check with pinpoint control. Unfortunately, like Loewen, Uehara was pulled after five due to a high pitch count.

While the shaky Canadian bullpen was able to hold on, the Japanese weren’t as lucky.

People didn’t realize just how much these pitch count rules affect the teams that are limited in the pitching department. The rule was designed so major leaguers didn’t get injured, but it really just gave the pitching-rich Team USA the upper hand.

Everyday the whole point of this tournament becomes more of sham. The rules give about three teams the chance to win.

So much for promoting baseball throughout the world.