Here’s the play that baffled Royals fans when MLB replay changed the call
In the end, this didn’t cost the Royals. But it certainly was a baffling moment from their 8-2 win Thursday over the Rays.
The Royals trailed 1-0 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, when Drew Waters led off the third inning with a single. Jonathan India followed with a hit to right field and Waters tried to advance to third.
The throw from Tampa Bay outfielder Kameron Misner was short of the bag, and third baseman Junior Caminero’s tag missed Waters. So said third base umpire Nic Lentz. But the Rays challenged and the play was overturned ... to the surprise of Tampa Bay’s broadcasters.
There are three possible outcomes when a team challenges a call as noted on the MLB website: “Replay officials review all calls subject to replay review and decide whether to change the call on the field, confirm the call on the field or let stand the call on the field due to the lack of clear and convincing evidence.”
FanDuel Sports Kansas City’s Joel Goldberg explained during the broadcast that the replay official believed the slight movement of Waters’ helmet as he was sliding into third showed he’d been tagged in the head.
Many Royals fans were upset and surprised and cited the seemingly lack of “clear and convincing evidence” of a tag.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 8:56 AM.
