Factual error: Although the movie is set in 1962, when Rodriguez jumps the fence of the junkyard, a red door from a '73-88 GM pickup can be seen in the background.
Factual error: In his voiceover narration, Smalls says that Babe Ruth's "called shot" was made at Yankee Stadium in the bottom of the ninth inning in game 3 of the 1932 World Series. That play actually occurred in the top of the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. It's not just a character mistake; the event is too famous for him not to have heard or read about it growing up, especially since his stepfather is a Yankees fan.
Factual error: At the beginning of the carnival scene, the Gravitron ride is in the far background. This movie is set in 1962, and the Gravitron was not introduced until 1983.
Answer: The umpire got the call wrong in that case. It happens all the time in real life. It wasn't allowed back then, but now Major League Baseball and other sports leagues will use instant replay to make sure they get close calls right.
Phaneron