Third-Base Call Controversy, No Base-Running Violation: Goto Mitsutaka Suggests Referees Should Admit Errors First

Central News Agency (Reporter Su Chih-she, Taipei, May 27) A third-base call in yesterday's CPBL game between the Fubon Guardians and the Wei Chuan Dragons at the Taipei Dome sparked controversy. The league provided a special explanation to Fubon Guardians manager Goto Mitsutaka today. Goto pointed out that his challenge and the result were different, and while the league explained there was no base-running violation, it would have been better if the referee had explained the initial error first. Yesterday, in the bottom of the 8th inning with one out and runners on second and third, Wei Chuan's Chu Yu-hsien hit an infield grounder. The Guardians chose to run down third-base runner Lin Hsiao-cheng. As Lin returned to third, second-base runner Chang Yu-chia had already reached third. Third baseman Wang Nien-hao reached out to tag Chang, but Chang ran off the base, so Wang tagged Lin, who had overran the base. At that moment, the third-base umpire called Chang out and Lin safe. After the Guardians challenged, the call was overturned to Lin out and Chang safe. Goto was confused and argued with the umpires for a long time before accepting the decision. Goto said in an interview today, "Before challenging, I confirmed with the umpires many times that the second-base runner was already out, which is why I challenged the third-base runner." However, the video review result led to a change in the out, so "the result was different from what I wanted to see, which is why I protested for so long." Today, the league held a long discussion with Goto. Goto revealed, "The league explained that the third-base umpire made an error initially, but when I asked if the trailing runner passed the leading runner, they said no. The two players' feet were not on the base at the same time. Rules are rules, and I have to accept it." Goto also mentioned, "Because I am Japanese, I couldn't fully understand the report of the overturned call yesterday. I hope that whether for coaches or fans, they can explain that it was an error first, and then talk about the result; that would be better." Wei Chuan Dragons manager Yeh Chun-chang also pointed out that Chang Yu-chia should have stayed on the base, as running off "gave the umpire a hard time," but admitted the umpire did make an error initially.