grayhawk

Well, he just called the first no-hitter in the CWS since 1960 and only the third ever.

For the folks wondering what we're talking about:

Letendre is a sold guy as well. Always willing to help and is an excellent instructor.

I’ll just add that the fact the umpire didn’t grant time isn’t a factor. If the batter merely puts his hand up requesting time and this action causes the pitcher to balk, then we just kill it and start over.

I had commented on a couple of these, with one particular casual fan posting that I, and 3 other umpires are just as trash as the umpire that called the balk. At that point, I had to bring out this modified movie quote. Anyone besides @Velho know where it's from? What did I expect? Thank you for the rules lesson? Marry my daughter? I've got to remember these are simple fans. These are people of the bleachers. The common clay of the upper deck. You know.....Morons.

Absolutely. Fans everywhere actually think umpiring is getting worse when the exact opposite is true. There are 2 culprits: 1. The K-Zone (for entertainment purposes only - lol) 2. HD Slo-motion video Both give the false impression that anyone can put on a mask and call a great game.

It's the same everywhere. If the ball is put into play, point and call the interference and allow the play to continue. If the batter-runner and all runners advance at least one base, then disregard the interference (no option). If they do not, then enforce the CI or allow the offense the option of taking the result of the play.

Because we have a specific rule that addresses this situation and that rule dictates that it's UI.

I don't have the LL rulebook, but it's based on OBR. This is the definition of a fair ball in OBR: A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight. A ball that hit in front of the center fielder has first touched fair territory beyond 1st or 3rd bases. In your example of an untouched ball hitting in front of 2B and spinning backwards into foul territory, that would be foul in LL (based on OBR).

No, that ball first touched the ground in the outfield. That ball is fair forever and always.

Interesting that they call the ABS system "perfection" when it's nowhere near that standard. ABS uses a 2D rectangle at the back two points before the plate angles in at the back. So it will miss pitches that catch the bottom of the front of the zone that drop below this 2D rectangle. There was a great example of this on a recent ball/strike ejection. Unless and until the entire 3D zone can be captured accurately for every batter with technology, I think it's a fool's errand to implement it. I'll also say that if they do implement the challenge system, then they definitely need to get rid of the box on TV. Give TV fans the same experience that fans in the park get, having to judge balls and strikes using your own eyes rather than rely on that ridiculous TV box.

You're assuming U1 actually saw it.

I disagree. The offense shouldn't be penalized for the defensive coach causing his pitcher to start/stop. The balk was correctly called, and then incorrectly reversed. I think the protest should be upheld and the game be played with the run scoring.

He could be 30 feet from the base and it's still nothing (except in NCAA where it would be a clock violation).

In some case, yes. But in this case, the runner's illegal position prevented F3 from being able to stretch for the ball. It was close enough that since the runner was illegal, give the defense the benefit of the doubt.

I sent Randy Bruns this question and he agrees. If the batter's actions do hinder the catcher's attempt to throw out the runner, then enforce BI.

Randy did not indicate the status of the ball being a differentiator. Coaches cannot physically assist a runner in advancing or returning to a base. There is no rule preventing a teammate from assisting whether the ball is live or dead.

This was a gem: "NCAA rule states that home run props cannot leave the dugout. Doing so can lead to ejection. Gracia was tossed by the home plate umpire for carrying the prop onto the field. By the letter of the law, the ejection was warranted. By the intent of the rule, however, it was undeserved." CAN lead to ejection? No. The offender SHALL be ejected from the contest. There is no letter vs Intent of the rule. This one is as black and white as the cookie Jerry got sick from eating.

This is just RLI. The double bag has nothing to do with it. On a U3K, the batter-runner is allowed to use the white bag and the fielder is allowed to use the colored bag, but the BR still has to run legally to the base. This BR is clearly outside the runner's lane and interfered with F3's ability to stretch and take the throw.

Can you post pics that show this?

Great minds...

If you advertised the System 7 with the grayhawk mod, you could double the price.

I think the catcher being knocked violently on his back by a runner who made an illegal slide (no leg or buttock on the ground before contact) is an excellent example of an avoidable flagrant collision.

When nothing flagrant or malicious happens, why would anyone be ejected?