BrianC14

There just seemed to be more convo centered on what "wasn't" compared to "what was". At the end of the vid, announcers tell us that "Morales is back on 3rd base".... and the batter.... where did they put him? The play started with a 1-0 count, he swung at the pitch... but the video concludes with a different batter. Before going too deep into 'what if' (which is great for discussion) I'd like to know how this was all resolved.

The video graphic shows that the bases are loaded at the TOP. If CI is being enforced, then the batter being awarded 1B means that all runners are going to be forced to move up.

Two man mechanics. U1 is in B or C spot. Batter lays down a bunt, which is fielded by F1, who then decides to make life difficult by dropping the ball. F1 then moves toward the line to attempt a tag of B/R. U1 has appropriately moved toward the play, and is now set just behind/near the mound. F1 attempts a tag along 1B line; PU is straight-lined, and cannot tell if the tag is made or not. U1 can clearly see the tag is missed. Question: Should U1 provide a signal and verbal indication of the missed tag? If so, what should U1 say and do in the way of signaling the missed tag?

Where do you see a gray area when the rules call for an automatic ejection for the offense committed ?

Another situation that reminds me of the saying "Sports doesn't build character, it reveals it."

I think this might be the politics of umpiring.

What are you saying?

I don't think that's the ball bouncing several feet in front of the base, I think it's a problem/issue with the film. To me, the ball can be seen about 3 feet beyond first base, moving slightly left to right of the fair/foul line.

Warren's first plate game. I believe the top hat was silk. Snazzy.

There is no penalty for not retouching.... however, this rule was put in way back when Warren first started umpiring, if I recall correctly.... the intent of the rule was to prevent a runner from standing very close to the next unoccupied base after a foul ball, and when the umpire put the ball in play, the runner could 'steal' the next base with just a step or two. So, the rule got put in the books to prevent a baserunner from gaining an unfair advantage. The idea of actually going all the way back and retouching the base they occupied at the time of the pitch (and subsequent foul ball) actually protects the runner from being at risk of being put out when the umpire calls "Play" following the foul ball. The reality is that the runner needs to return to the vicinity of the base; if they want to stay 5 feet away, and pitcher and batter are both where they need to be for the ball to become 'live' again, then play on. Waiting until they've actually retouched can be pretty ticky-tack, especially if you have a pitcher who doesn't waste time between pitches. 99% of the time you will see a runner return to touch, and immediately begin taking a lead from the base prior to the ball being put back in play. Recall that two things still need to happen in order to make the ball 'live' again: pitcher in his legal pitching position (in contact) and the batter set in the box.

Agreed - it's a case of contamination as far as this site goes. Let sleeping germs lie over at FB.

Oh.... so the REAL situation hasn't even started yet, has it? You've duped us.... baited us !

Heck, if there's anything distracting, it's got to be that camo uniform jersey.

I'd say that the on-deck batter should buy the scoring runner a Coke after the game.

That is frowned upon in my area. It's considered a look that seems to say "I am very inexperienced at this umpiring thing." The approach here is, 'If it's cold enough, wear a jacket.'

Does this happen a lot in your area(s)? Why do coaches either teach this or allow their players to do this? Do any of you guys coach in addition to working the game allow or teach this? A freshman (HS) level game recently, F5 consistently held R3 in hopes of a pickoff (I suppose). Well, four innings in, he got his wish: which F1 promptly air-mailed, and two runs scored.

Umpire 20 posted about how he met up with an attractive lady in the parking lot "Interesting Post Game Interactions". I was wondering about another post game activity that I witnessed recently by my base umpire partner: sticking around and shaking hands. Who does this? My aim at game's end is to clear the field ASAP, get to the parking lot, do the post game chat with the partner (while changing), and head out.

Priorities ! Post game can happen at oh-beer-thirty.

Agreed. As stated, B/R is protected "to" first base in all codes. FED has their own deal with merely overrunning, which can put B/R at risk.

The B/R is protected to first base in all codes. If the B/R were judged to have turned toward 2nd base, that puts him at risk of being put out. (Note, a turn, not just an over-run).

Thanks, missed that. I was going strictly on the original.

Not quite "The Natural", but better because it really happened. ....

Ouch. This can happen at any base, so it pays to be mindful of going beyond the bag even during a base award. How many times do we see B/R make a turn at 1B after a BB? F2 lobs the ball down to F3, just hoping. ...

Maybe I have this confused, but how could the second pitcher substitute for SP1 and end up in a different spot in the batting order?

Not enforcing rules, especially when they are POE ... so you just leave it for the next guy? Holy moly. Now I understand why some coaches complain that "we always do it this way, no one's ever said a thing..."