ATLANTA -- Jim Powell and Don Sutton, the Atlanta Braves' radio announcers, got their licks in over the air with the official scorer in Wednesday night's game at Turner Field. Mike Stamus, who works in the sports information office at Georgia Tech, changed several of his initial rulings.  Powell and Sutton heaped on plenty of ridicule, but here is the rest of the story.  Stamus was getting second-guessed from both sides on rulings. The Rockies didn't like this; the Braves didn't like that. The teams phone the press box and ask for "a review" of the call.  So, at what point does the official scorer, any official scorer, bow to the pressure and change a call?  In 20 years covering Braves games, this reporter has never heard a positive word about the official scorer, from either dugout. The scorer can't get it right ... or that's the claim anyway.  Why do players think it is reasonable to call and complain about a call? This is a team game, but the players must be thinking of their contracts and batting average or fielding averages.  Of course, the players never call the press box themselves. The Braves will sometimes use pitching coach Roger McDowell. It used to be first base coach Glenn Hubbard, who was merciless. Teams have gone so far as to question the integrity of the official scorer, as if he has something "in" for the player.  The official scorer is employed by Major League Baseball. When a team asks for a "review" it is borderline intimidation, which is forbidden by MLB.  Sure, the griping has gone on for years. But there is more and more riding on it, like bonus money and contract clauses. If a player can change some errors to hits over the course of the season, that's a big deal.  Jack Wilkinson and Stamus, who share the duties at Turner Field, are not insulated enough. They have more than 50 years of baseball experience between them, either covering or following the game.  Let them work without the interruptions.  See photos of: Atlanta Braves  To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor  . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to  . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to
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