Controversial Calls Mar USA's WBC Win Over Dominican Republic

Umpire's questionable strike call ends game, sparking outrage from Dominican Republic players and fans.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:26am

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The United States defeated the Dominican Republic 2-1 in a World Baseball Classic semifinal game, but the final out came on a highly controversial called strike that many believed was outside the strike zone. The call by home plate umpire Cory Blaser ended the game with the tying run on third base for the Dominican Republic, sparking outrage from their players and fans. This was not the only questionable call made by Blaser, as he had also rung up a Dominican batter on a pitch that appeared to be outside the strike zone earlier in the game.

Why it matters

The lack of an automated ball-strike (ABS) system in the World Baseball Classic, unlike in Major League Baseball, meant there was no way for the Dominican Republic to challenge the final strike call. This raised questions about the need for such technology in high-stakes international tournaments to ensure fairness and accuracy in umpiring.

The details

In the bottom of the ninth inning with the score 2-1 in favor of the United States, Dominican Republic batter Geraldo Perdomo took a 3-2 pitch from American pitcher Mason Miller that appeared to be well outside the strike zone. However, home plate umpire Cory Blaser surprisingly called it the third strike to end the game, with the tying run on third base for the Dominican Republic. Perdomo and his teammates were stunned and outraged by the call.

  • The controversial final strike call occurred in the bottom of the ninth inning on March 15, 2026.
  • Earlier in the game, in the eighth inning, Blaser had also made a questionable strike call on a pitch to Dominican Republic batter Juan Soto that appeared to be outside the strike zone.

The players

Cory Blaser

The home plate umpire who made the controversial strike call to end the game.

Geraldo Perdomo

The Dominican Republic batter who was called out on the final pitch of the game, with the tying run on third base.

Mason Miller

The United States pitcher who threw the pitch that was called a strike to end the game.

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What they’re saying

“That slider right there that was below the zone. And, one team reacting. The other just stunned.”

— John Schmultz, Former major league pitcher

“Thinking, 'You sure we don't have ABS yet? You sure we can't challenge that?'”

— Joe Davis, Play-by-play announcer

“You just hate to end a game this big with these types of consequences on a pitch that's not a strike.”

— Alex Rodriguez

“Well, you can pretty much guarantee they're going to have the (ABS) challenge system in place for the next WBC, right?”

— Derek Jeter

What’s next

The United States will face the winner of Italy and Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic championship game on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This controversial ending highlighted the need for automated ball-strike technology in high-stakes international baseball tournaments like the World Baseball Classic, to ensure fairness and accuracy in umpiring decisions that can have major impacts on the outcomes of games.