grayhawk

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First balk was borderline but defensible. I have a discernible stop on the second one. And yes, in Fed, balks should absolutely be immediately dead and this video is Exhibit 197,831 for why. Expecting thousands of HS umpires to correctly administer live ball balks is unrealistic. Experienced varsity umpires will mess these up, but then asking first year, often solo umpires working frosh or JV games to get them right?

Well, now we have an official interpretation published by the NCAA (Randy Bruns). It seems to counter his previous email: Physically Assisting a Runner – Rule 8-5-f Interpretation: A runner is out when: f. A coach or any other member of the offensive team other than another runner, by touching or holding a runner, physically assists the runner in returning to or leaving a base. Note: The touching of a runner alone does not constitute physically assisting; however, when the touching improves the runner’s chances of accomplishing their goal (retreating or advancing), it should be interpreted as physically assisting. A runner is allowed to assist another runner physically; however, all other members of the offensive team (e.g., base coaches, on-deck batter, a runner who had just scored or has been put out, a batter, etc.) are not allowed to assist. When a play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire should call “Time” and enforce the penalty; the runner is out, and all runners return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference (assistance). If no play is being made on the assisted runner, the umpire shall signal that the runner is out and allow the ball to remain alive. Rationale: The physical assistance of a runner by another offensive team member other than a base coach or another runner most often happens in the vicinity of home plate where a team member is often there to “coach” the runner trying to score when and where to slide to avoid a tag. It is unfair to allow any physical assistance by another team member to impact if and when the runner touches the base prior to a tag, appeal, or video review. Although not specifically covered in the NCAA Baseball Rules, this ruling is based on common sense and fair play. This enforcement principle permits the defensive team to make plays on other runners, if possible. If the ball were to instantly become dead at the time of interference (assistance), the offensive team could always control the status of the ball by grabbing a nearby player.

I never said it was physically "impossible." You left out the part where I said "in any useful way." There is simply NO reason to do what you suggest. ZERO. Why, on earth, would any pitcher do this? What would he gain? The rules don't specifically address this (nor many other things you seem to ask about), because it's just absurd for anyone to do it. The rules also don't address pitching with a parrot on your shoulder. Is it legal?

He literally breaks contact every single time. It's exactly as I say it was - human legs cannot twist in a way to make a legal step to 2B and stay engaged with the rubber in any useful way. You are chasing ghosts.

Yup. It's like Jack is trying to understand the game of baseball exclusively through the rule book without ever actually watching a game.

That was my answer before all of this ridiculousness started. Pitchers NEVER EVER EVER do this. They are made of bones and ligaments, not just cartilage. Making a legal step and feint to 2B using the inside move and staying in contact with the rubber would be absurd. Good way to break an ankle.

You don't need coffee to answer his questions. You need Shrooms.

Welcome back to the brotherhood!

I like them too. The first one definitely puts some certainty into a rule with too much ambiguity. The second one establishes a procedure that was inconsistently officiated in previous seasons. Good on Randy.

As we can see because of the indictments this year, players are much more likely to be on the take than umpires so ABS does nothing to deter game rigging. To all the fans that think umpires are the bad guys here, it may soothe some feels.

And the reason for this is that it's a clock violation for not making a legitimate attempt to retire the runner.

In 15 years, I have never seen it. Really, try to do this. Gain ground to 2B with your free foot and stay on the rubber. Beware, however. You might tear a ligament. This is baseball, not Twister. It is unrealistic.

It's not realistic. There are two ways to feint to 2B. The inside move and the reverse pivot. In either case, the pitcher will break contact with the rubber which is the same as disengaging. I know they call it the "Spaghetti move," but pitchers aren't really made of spaghetti.

If there is no visible clock, the umpire keeping the timer should be informing the plate umpire when there is 30 seconds remaining (40 is better), and then 15 seconds remaining. When the 30 second signal is given, and then again at 15 seconds, the plate umpire should inform the pitcher, catcher and batter with a clear verbal announcement. This puts everyone on notice equally. I've yet to see a disparity in bullpen locations that creates much of an advantage for one team over the other. A few seconds shouldn't matter. Start the 2:00 clock at at the end of the half inning, but stay alert to see if a new pitcher is entering. If there is, then restart the clock at 2:30 when they cross the warning track.

Can't believe this was even in question. Classic lodged ball.

Yup. Stuff happens. It's an imperfect game. Sometimes you benefit, and sometimes the other team does. So many have said R1 couldn't hear the verbal anyway, so it not being concurrent seems irrelevant. And whether he ignored, missed, failed to notice, or even overlooked the strike mechanic, there is simply no excuse for not staying at 1B until he was certain he could advance. He was clearly confused, so be confused on the bag, not 20 feet off of it.

So...

I think some of these guys have

Players play. Umpires umpire. When players try to umpire, bad things happen. This wasn't a ball that hit the dirt and called a strike. It was one ball up. Certainly not something an R1 from 90 feet away should just assume will be called a ball, turn his back and ignore the strike mechanic.

I was more talking about R1 who may not be able to hear the verbal but can certainly see the physical mechanic. Since he's the one the put himself in jeopardy, he's the one that needs to be vigilant.

IFF? Yes Catch/no catch? Definitely Ball 4/Strike TWO? Definitely not This is complete and utter BS. He has THIRTY seconds to trot 90 feet. Let's say it takes the umpire five whole seconds to give his strike mechanic (it took Wegner 1.5), he still has forever and a day to get to 2B. I'll hold Wegner responsible all day for missing that pitch. It was 3.42 inches above the top. Not a good miss for an MLB umpire. But all the rest is on Bichette, Varsho and the 1B coach. There is simply no hurry. Stay focused, be certain of the call and act accordingly.

I'm so tired of reading that Wegner's call was delayed. He called that strike exactly how he called every other strike in the game. Suddenly, proper timing is now a "delay"? Also, Tumpane was loud because Tumpane IS loud. I can guarantee that he didn't change a thing with respect to his voice, timing or anything else he did as the plate umpire last night.

That's the best reason of all!

So young. Condolences to his family and friends.