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Yup, no one likes to see the outcome of a game decided (or possibly decided) on a controversial play.
I really can't say whether the ball hit the ground first. But the important thing is that Eddings (the HP Ump') appeared to make the 'out' sign. He displayed a pumping clenched fist with his elbow to his side. If in fact it was an out sign, then the play is dead. If it wasn't, then the play is alive and the batter has every right to hoof it to first base.
In a post-game interview with the umps, Eddings said that he made the strike sign, and not the out sign. In fact according to him, that's how he routinely calls a strike - unless he's ringing the batter up. If that's true, then no fault to the umps.
Back up catcher or not, he's good enough to make it to the majors - so he should have known enough to have tagged the runner or thrown the ball to first. Leave no doubt. Catchers do that all the time. 'Hate to lay it all on the catcher, but it appears if anyone should be faulted, it's him. However, the question remains (in my mind, at least) is whether Eddings called the batter out, or simply signaled that the pitch was a strike. He says his motion indicated a strike call, so like it or not we have to take him at his word.
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