Where's the replay – Controversial Play helps to end Senators term at the NBC
Ford keeps Foresters in NBC driver's seat
By Paul Suellentrop
Wichita Eagle

Hays first baseman Dusty Washburn grabbed the third out of the seventh inning for an instant.

Or did he? He did in the view of first-base umpire Bob Homolka.

In the eyes of Vienna (Va.) Senators coaches, Washburn dropped the throw from second baseman Rich Michalek. They protested enthusiastically after Homolka called Kevin Watkins out to end the inning and cost the Senators at least a run.

"He bobbled the ball; he never had control," manager Chris Burr said.
Burr said umpires told him Washburn was transferring the ball to make a throw.
"They called a transfer call on the first baseman, and I've never seen that before with two outs," Burr said. "What is he transferring it for? The first baseman didn't leave the bag, didn't vacate the area, so that's your first indication something funky was going on."

Washburn said the umpires got it right. He caught it, then started to take the ball from his glove to roll it to the mound.

"The first-base umpire told me I was a full step off the bag when he saw the ball come out," Washburn said.

Michalek ranged toward the line to get to the bouncing ball and threw off-balance to Washburn, who had to reach up to catch it. The ball popped out of his glove almost immediately. The runner at third crossed home plate and the Senators thought they had a 5-4 lead.

Nope. After a discussion, Homolka and home-plate umpire Mike Church stuck with the call and ruled Watkins out. Two Vienna coaches argued before heading angrily back to the dugout with the game tied 4-all.

"The home-plate umpire saw the same thing the first-base umpire did," Washburn said. "I said 'Ask (the home-plate umpire) for help, it's a pretty important call.' He did the right thing and asked for help and the home-plate umpire got the call right."