Junto Boys

CRAZY

Just when you think you've seen everything there is to see in baseball, how about today's games in the WBC Round 2.

In the early game, heavily favored Venezuela gets pounded by Cuba, 7-2. The game turned in the 6th inning on a ground ball that slipped between the buttons into 10-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel's jersey. He played it off his chest and then there was no ball to throw to first. Next batter, Vizquel boots a sure double play, and the third guy smacks a 3-run homer on the way to a 5-run inning that puts the game away.

In the second game, it's Japan 3, USA 3 in the top of the 8th, bases loaded for Japan, 1 out, speedster on third. Fly ball to short left. Runner tags and scores easily on a weak throw. Buck Martinez comes out of the dugout to appeal at third. Second base umpire calls safe. Martinez appeals to the home plate umpire, an American. Home plate ump overrules second base ump and calls the runner out, three outs. Replay shows the runner did not leave early. USA wins 4-3 on a walkoff bases-loaded single.

Tell me again, why isn't replay used in baseball? Most baseball calls are easy in super slo-mo. By the time the crew chief gets his headset on, the right call will be speaking to him.