January 1, A Sudden Ruling Sparks Major Questions on Baseball’s Future Officiating Changes.

Wyatt’s Take

• America advances to World Baseball Classic finals on gutsy human ump call.
• Robot umps arrive soon, but tonight real refs ruled the day.
• Dominicans cry foul over low pitch, yet USA grabs 2-1 thriller.

The US beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 Sunday night in the WBC semifinals. A controversial full-count slider from Mason Miller to Geraldo Perdomo looked low but got called strike three by ump Cory Blaser.

That stranded the tying run at third and sent Team USA to face Venezuela or Italy in the championship.

“He knew he was wrong,” Perdomo said. “I knew it was 100% wrong.”

Perdomo swung his bat in anger after the call. MLB’s robot ball-strike system starts March 25, right after this game.

“It looked a little down. Yes, I’m glad we had no ABS,” U.S. outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “I’m happy that the human element was in full effect.”

Dominican manager Albert Pujols stayed classy. “I don’t want to focus on the last pitch,” he said.

Miller threw heat over 100 mph most of the way. Bryce Harper backed the call: “He called strike three. That’s all I care.”

Folks, cheer for Team USA as they chase the title with that old-school grit we love.

Full story at OANN

Wyatt Matters

Real umps with heart beat machines every time, keeping baseball the people’s game for factory towns and farm fields.