Stretch

Thank you. My first games are on the 23 rd.

The 2 questions that got me: R2, no outs. A catcher short-hops a throw to the first baseman after fielding a bunted ball. The first baseman, unable to hold onto the poorly thrown ball, was bothered by the batter-runner advancing outside the running lane. a. A batter-runner can only interfere with a thrown ball if his actions are intentional. b. The play stands. The poor throw rids any interference penalties. c. Interference should be called. R2 is awarded third base. d. The play requires the plate umpire to judge whether the batter-runner interfered with the attempted catch of the thrown ball, despite the fact that the throw was in the dirt, since F3 still had a reasonable opportunity to glove the ball. I was between B and D. In Chicago, I was pretty sure they said we were not getting interference on a poor throw so I went with B. Correct answer is D. I see where D is the more complete answer however. Explanation 7-11p, A.R. 1, A.R. 2 R1, no outs. Batter hits a high pop-up to F9. R1 goes part way to second. BR rounds first hard while watching F9 but pays no attention to R1. BR passes R1; then, realizing his error, he heads back to first, passing R1 in the opposite direction. At that point, F9 loses the ball in the sun and cannot make the catch. R1 ends up safely on second and BR at first when the ball is returned to the infield. a. BR is out the moment he passes any preceding runner, but the umpire should not declare the BR out until the ball hits the ground. b. The play stands. Both runners are safe. The passing of runners is ignored on any fly ball and is only considered on ground balls. c. BR is immediately out when he passes R1, and the umpire would emphatically declare the BR out the moment he observes the passing. d. The play stands. Both runners are safe. As long as they pass each other again before the ball hits the ground or is touched by a fielder, apply the "last time by" principle. No violation. I went with A. Correct answer is C. Explanation 8-5m

Nice job.

I'm not sure. I did not like the answers for the video showing the possible batter's interference.

Thank you. The rest of my weekend will be worry free as far as the test goes, except for which question got me.

97 on the NCAA test, I am curious to know which one I missed? I guess I'll find out in a couple of days.

Johnny, are you thinking of the "According to Jim" episode where Belushi is filling in as an umpire?

I will be at the Chicago meeting.

Run scores as long as R3 touched home prior to the appeal. BR being out at first removes the force play on R1.

He might ground/fly out again.

There was a similar thread on this topic. From page 2 of "Balk with catcher's interference" topic in Rules: Posted by umpschool: "If I could chime in: We teach that you enforce penalties as the provisions provide for. For instance, in order for a balk to be nullified, all runners including the batter must advance one base safely. However, if it is followed by a catcher's interference, you must first enforce the catcher's interference (if necessary) to see if all runners, including the BR advance. And that requires that you let the entire play end. Take the following play: Bases loaded, no one out. Pitcher balks, followed by catcher's interference. The batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop in the hole, who throws to first to retire the BR. However, on the play, R2 rounds third and heads for home. He is called safe on a close play at the plate. At the end of the play, R3 and R2 have scored. R1 advanced to second base, and the BR was thrown out at first. It seems that out of all the answers on here, none (that I have quickly glanced over) would have been correct. I've seen two camps of explanation in this thread. Let me show you how each is in error. The first camp says that you should enforce the balk as soon as the BR was put out because they all didn't advance one base safely. This is not appropriate because the catcher's interference (listed as "or otherwise" in the balk penalty) has not been enforced. Enforcing only the balk would create this situation -- R3 scores, R2 is awarded third base, R1 is awarded second base, and the BR is returned to bat with the previous count. The second camp insists that you enforce the catcher's interference (they're right, BTW), but that you should also kill the play right away (they're wrong, BTW). Enforcing it this way would create this situation -- The BR is awarded first base, R1 is awarded second base, R2 is awarded third base, and R3 is awarded to score. Now that all runners, including the BR, have advanced one base safely, the balk is nullified. If the offensive manager wanted to elect to take the results of the play (because he's greedy), he has the right to do so. Problem is, there are no results under this interpretation because you killed it right away. Now let's say you leave it in play and R2 is called safe. Since they did not all advance a base safely, you enforce the catcher's interference. But now the manager comes out and says, "I want R2 to score. I elect to take the results of the play." You would then rule on that election. R3 would score, R2 would score, R1 would be awarded second base, and the BR would be called out. After all the runners then reach their awarded bases, all runners, including the BR, have now NOT advanced a base safely. You would then enforce the balk penalty after all. Enforcing the balk would create this situation -- R3 scores, R2 is awarded third base, R1 is awarded second base, and the BR is returned to bat with the previous count. Once they ask for it, they can't go back. Yes, they still only have one run score, but the BR isn't standing on first base. Instead, he'll be batting again, and first base is empty. They're required to know the rules too." I hope this helps with the OP question.

Did you eject the geese? I believe getting hit with excrement is one of the automatic ejection scenarios. "You, you, and you get the "flock" out of here!"

I have had 2 triple plays this year about a week apart. First one -- R1 & R2 R1 and R2 were "thinking" hit and run and they were trippled off. (Perserved a no-hitter.) I was PU umpire and watched my partner do all the work. Yes, I was moving towards third for a possible tag up. Second one -- R1 & R2 I was base umpire. CF running hard in dives and catches the ball inches from the ground and rolls over a couple of times. The runners never tag up and decide to run while the CF is still rolling. They get trippled off. These things come in screwy spurts. How many times do you have game where you don't have a trouble ball and the next game you are going out nearly every other batter?

Feeling rather cool can be a sign. Not sweating, chills, "goose bumps", confusion, aggitation, or feeling like you are in a dream are signs that the heat is getting you or has gotten you. Things not processing in your head (i.e. a pitch right down the middle and you are not sure what to do with it.) can be a sign as well. What I understand, once you've had a heat injury you are much more susceptible to have it happen again.

The head coach is ejected. From the April 10, 2012 rules interpretations: 5. Must a head coach be present at the plate conference? What happens if a head coach refuses to attend the pre-game plate meeting? Rule 3-1, "A head coach is responsible for his team’s actions on and off the field and to represent the team in communications with the umpire and the opposing team." Rule 4-4:"The head coach, during the first game of a weekend series or any nonconference game, must attend the pre-game plate conference." All participants, including the head coach, are expected to comply with an umpire’s decision. For failure to comply with the umpire’s request to attend the pre-game plate meeting, the head coach is ejected for that contest.

Dear Sniper, I applaud you on the "kill shot" in the second inning last night. You took perfect aim as I was going out from D to get a good look on a possible home run ball. However, I was able to get up, take a step, and still see the ball hit more than half way up the fence. My partners gave me a 9.5 and 7.5 for the dive. Sincerely, U3 Now, to those who have been sniped...how do you get grass stains out of polywools?

Did she do her paperwork on your ejection?

Not a great view, but it looks like the runner might have missed 3rd.

He isn't returning to "tag-up" or touch a missed base. He is returning to 2nd because that is his award. I do not see the base running infraction that makes this an appealable situation.

The case play has an odd twist having the defense using "a runner cannot return to a base after reaching the next base or beyond, when the ball goes out of play." The runner cannot be called out. The umpire is returning the runner to his awarded base. Now, if the runner missed 1st, then yes you can have a dead ball appeal for that infraction.

Thank you Jason.

You get caught yelling "Hey Blue, that wasn't a strike... it was at his knees!!"

single - picked off/caught stealing - 1 out single - picked off/caught stealing - 2 outs single - R1 single - R1, R2 single - R1, R2, R3 batted ball hits runner - no runs score, but batter credited with a single - 3 outs Does that work?

Greg runs the Mid-American Advanced Umpires Clinic Jason (MidAmUmp) runs the Mid-American Umpires Clinic http://www.midamericanumpireclinic.com/ <---- leads to both clinics The Advanced Clinic site is not up to date, but it ran the week afer Jason's clinic. Supervisors were at both. The Advanced Clinic will focus on three man mechanics; Jason's will focus on two man. Go to both if you can. I did last year. I was seen at both and I was able to network and get college assignments this year. I worked a GLVC Conference double header D-II) this past weekend with UM-St. Louis and Bellarmine and felt quite comfortable even though this is my first year working college ball. I have also had D-III and NAIA games. PM me or MidAmUmp.

Looks like he is trying the new "unequal" chest protector.