Incorrect ruling highlights rough Saturday night for umps

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ 13-2 win over Auburn on Saturday night wasn’t really ever close, but it was a rough night for the umpires.

Arkansas’ Jax Biggers hustles back to second base where he was when Auburn let a bunt drop. Biggers was moved to third when the umpire incorrectly ruled the runners could advance on the intentional drop. PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

Third base umpire Jeff Head let two Arkansas runners advance in the first inning when he ruled that Auburn third baseman Josh Anthony intentionally dropped a bunt that was popped up by the Razorbacks’ Casey Martin.

Anthony picked up the ball, stepped on third and threw to second for an attempted double play.

Confusion ensued.

Head told the base runners, Jax Biggers and Eric Cole, to advance when they should have been told to stay at their respective bases, said Paul Guilli, the SEC’s coordinator of umpires.

“Intentionally dropped ball was called, however they misapplied the rule,” Guilli said in a statement that was read in the pressbox by an Arkansas spokesperson. “Runners should have returned.”

Arkansas’ Luke Bonfield singled in the next at-bat to score both runners, but only Biggers would have been in position to score had the drop rule been applied correctly.

Auburn coach Butch Thompson comes on the field to get an explanation after Arkansas’ runners advanced in the first inning when the Tigers intentionally let a bunt by the Hogs’ Casey Martin drop. PHOTO BY ANDY HODGES | HITTHATLINE.COM

Head, a veteran umpire who worked the College World Series last season, served as the crew chief and had a rough night.

He was summoned to the replay booth three times and overturned a pair of calls, both involving Arkansas hitters who were incorrectly ruled out at first base. The overturned calls led to Arkansas runs in the third and sixth innings.

“Bottom line, you’re supposed to try to get the call right and the umpires have been great about it, to be honest with you,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. “It’s worked out. We’ve been wrong and we’ve asked for a couple things that haven’t happened. A couple got changed tonight and helped us score a couple of extra runs.

“The umpires have been real professional. They just want to get the call right.”

A foul ball by Bonfield in the second inning was upheld after replay checked to see whether it hit the foul pole for a home run.

The SEC is using replay on an experimental basis this season. The replay rules allow coaches two challenges each game, and various plays can be initiated by umpires during the game.