Mind your manners

Giants 6, Orioles 3

The new system that allows players to challenge balls and strikes is clearly a test of their eyes. The new system is less obviously a test of something else: etiquette and guts.

Just ask Luis Arraez.

He challenged a first-pitch strike in the seventh inning on Friday. Upon review, it landed six-tenths of an inch outside the strike zone. Strike one became ball one. A small victory.

The next pitch sailed high, further out of the strike zone than even the previous one. Arraez shook his head back and forth, as if to say no, I’m not swinging at a pitch like that.

He had to be surprised, then, to see home plate umpire Laz Diaz raise his fist and call a strike.

Arraez shot his eyes at Diaz, cracking the wryest of smiles. No words were spoken, but you could imagine the dialogue.

Arraez: Really? You’re gonna make me challenge two straight pitches?

Diaz: I dare you.

The moment came and went quietly. Arraez didn’t challenge and flied out two pitches later. But you saw the invisible effects of the system on display.

It tests the relationship between players and umpires. Just because you can show an umpire every time he’s wrong doesn’t mean you should. He’s going to be there when you’re out of challenges, too.

Up next: The Giants go for the series win with their ace on the mound. It’ll be Logan Webb against Chris Bassitt at 4:15 pm on Fox.