U-18 Baseball World Cup: Video replay confirms Aussie Chris Burke didn’t hit a go-ahead HR against USA

GIJANG, Korea — The newly introduced umpire-video-review ended any controversy in a tight game between Australia and USA that opened the Super Round of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2019 at Gijang-Hyundai Dream Ballpark.

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the 8th inning, Australian DH Chris Burke blasted a ball high off the wall in center, scoring Jaylin Rae and tying the game 1-1. Or did it leave the park? The official scorer did (temporarily) credit Burke with a two-run home run, following the original call made by the umpires on the field.

Tie Game!!!!! Aussie Chris Burke RBI double 🇦🇺 Australia 1-1 USA 🇺🇸 #U18WorldCup @teamausbaseball @usabaseball18u pic.twitter.com/qfWSUDxIMl

— WBSC ⚾ #U18WorldCup (@WBSC) September 5, 2019

However, taking advantage of the new regulations, the umpires themselves went to the video replay and confirmed the ball stayed inside the park, after hitting the top of the centerfield fence.

The biggest question was whether or not the ball had bounced back onto the field off the large black screen in centerfield, the batter’s eye. A short walk behind the fence after the game showed us that that simply wasn’t possible.

And with the correct call on the field, the four-time defending World Champions USA went on to win the game 2-1, thanks to a walk-off single by top prospect Drew Romo in the bottom of the 9th — and it was heartbreak for the Aussies.