AZ ump

Others agree with you.... but of course, they are umpires too! http://rulebookguru.blogspot.com/2011/02/broadcasters-need-spring-training-too.html

I've got this site bookmarked... great simple explanations of what an infield fly is and isn't and what players can/can't do: https://sites.google.com/site/rulebookedge/rule-misconceptions/infield-fly https://sites.google.com/site/rulebookedge/get-the-edge/infield-fly

In spite of me saying that I ignore coaches who tell me to issue warnings on balks, I completely agree with semper_fi. The difference is when a coach just unilaterally asks for it and sort of talks the other coach into going along with it that I ignore it. If it's in the league's rules, then I will abide by their wishes.

Sorry, I mis-described the play. It was an IBB. The catcher jumped out of the box to catch the first pitch, threw it back to the pitcher, and stood where he was to catch the next pitch. Having said that, I learned something new. I always thought the catcher had to be inside the box to catch any pitch. So, if he wants to catch a pitch that he calls way outside, he could crouch 3 feet away from the box, and it would be perfectly legal?

. If a coach tells me that, I'd immediately say "ok, consider yourself warned. If your pitchers balk, I'm calling it". Seriously. I know fall ball and younger ages are just learning, and some games are meant to be more instructional than competitive, BUT I find that the players learn a lot better when you enforce something and they are penalized for it. I once got some criticism for calling a catcher's balk on a pitchout with a runner on 3rd base that resulted in a walkoff win. A few people thought I should have warned the catcher (it was the 2nd pitch - he never got back into the box after returning the ball to the pitcher). I figure that by calling it and costing his team a win, he (and his coach and teammates) will never forget that rule. If I had whispered to him to get back in the box, he might make that mistake later when the stakes are higher.

Don't care much either way, but do hope it goes 7 games. If Cliff Lee wins tonight, the Giants are in an almost must-win situation in game 6, because they won't want the pressure of a game 7 once they had a 3-1 lead.

Yes. A friend of mine who I've worked with set up this website, ostensibly to 'help' coaches understand some rules, but he's told me that his real purpose is to make HIS life easier so he doesn't have to repeat himself as often. He addresses this specific topic on this page. I have thought about printing this out and just handing it to coaches when they come out to argue foul tips, but that would probably be too condescending so I just keep repeating myself..sometimes more than once a game:shrug: By the way, I've tried talking my friend into joining this site, but he's worried that doing so will look like he's just doing so to promote himself so he hasn't, but I'll keep working on him. He knows more about rules than any other partner I've ever worked with.

Thanks all for the replies. That's what I love about this site, I'm always learning something new. (I've been reading it for months but just finally registered, in hopes to be able to give something back). To be clear, this situation has never happened to me (cause, you know, I've never made a mistake), but I always had it in the back of my mind and ALWAYS made sure to call it before it was caught/hit the ground to make sure I didn't get in a sticky situation.

So how is it handled if the ball falls to the ground, without being called, and runners start running, fielders start throwing the ball around etc. Do you then kill the play? Or do you wait for it to finish, and then inform the BR that he is out due to the IFF? The ball is live so you could be penalizing (either side) if you kill the play.

Really? I was taught to try to call the IFF when the ball is near the peak of it's height, and if not possible, to at least make sure to call it before it hits the ground. Once it hits the ground, it's too late to call it. Just did a quick look around the internet to see if I could get some confirmation, but haven't found anything official. Just this site, points 6 and 7 specifically. Is this wrong, or do is it handled differently in some leagues?

The Tejada play occured in the ALCS between Boston and the A's. What made the play/call more confusing was that Type A had been called earlier in the game. A's fans were livid that a Boston player was awarded home on obstruction when he was going back to 3rd base, but Tejada got called out on an obstruction play where he should have easily scored (with or without the obstruction). The obstruction didn't really slow him down, what slowed him down was the fact that he started walking home, mistakenly thinking he was automatically awarded it.