That scenario unfolded during Saturday’s game between Syracuse and Toledo, as a Syracuse extra point was ruled to be good, despite the fact that instant replays from ESPN show the ball clearly sailing wide left.  However, those replays were not enough to get the officials to overturn the call on the field after reviewing the play.  Syracuse went up by three points, and Toledo would hit a late game-tying (should have been game-winning) field-goal, before losing in overtime.

It can be tough to make quick decision during a fast-paced football game, and as a result, we have often tried to give officials the benefit of the doubt, but that is becoming increasingly hard to do when they can’t even get it right after looking at a replay 20 times over.

Everyone knew it was wide!  The people watching the game knew it was wide.  The commentators knew it was wide.  The Big East knew it was wide (and they admitted the officials got it wrong following the game).  Unfortunately, the only person who matters – in this case, the officials – didn’t have a clue.

Here is a look at the blown call.

Lugo was standing on third base with one out when Scott Proctor hit a ground ball to Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez.  He delivered a perfect throw to catcher Michael McKenry, who appeared to apply a sweeping tag to the leg of Lugo well before the Braves’ shortstop could reach home plate.  Even Lugo believed he was out, until Meals emphatically signaled safe with his arms.

As the Braves celebrated the victory 6 hours and 39 minutes after the opening pitch, the Pirates players and coaching staff were infuriated, and reasonably so.  Replays showed that Lugo was clearly tagged well before reaching home plate, although, most people didn’t even need a replay to assure themselves of such.

One look at the replay below should make two things clear; (1) Lugo was out and (2) Meals just wanted to go home.

Total Pro Sports – Luckily Tim Lincecum was on the mound for the San Francisco Giants, preventing any sort of increased controversy over this blown call.  Whether the incredible barehanded catch made by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Delwyn Young will be considered for catch of the year nominations remains in question after second base umpire Dale Scott mistakenly ruled that the ball hit the ground.

It was less than a week ago when Dewayne Wise was climbing the outfield wall to save Mark Buehrle‘s perfect game.  Last night in San Francisco it was Young who would make the highlight reel with an outstanding diving play reminiscent of those made by female Giants’ fans.

With Randy Winn at the plate in the second inning, the Giants were already up 3-0.  That was when he connected just enough with a Paul Maholm pitch to line it just over the Pirates’ infield.  Rightfielder Garrett Jones made a partial diving attempt on the ball, but had it bounce off his glove, then his left knee, followed by his left foot, and finally into the bare hand of a diving Delwyn Young.

Replays show that it was clearly a catch, but Scott didn’t believe that to be the case, and another Giant run would score on the play before an overanxious Winn was tagged out on his way to second base.  The Pirates definitely got shafted on this one, but that should be expected.  When you are as bad as they are, no one really expects you to make such a great play.

This season we have seen some spectacular diving catches (even Joba Chamberlain has got in on the act), but none had the type of teamwork shown in this particular instance.  I’d assume that Young anticipated that bounce because he knew Jones was not capable of making the catch, especially after his gaff on the previous play, which allowed two runs to score.  If only umpire Dale Scott had seen it coming as well.

Hat Tip Photo Via – [Detroit4Lyfe]