AZump78

$135? Is that after a discount? I see the cheapest on U-A at $159

Because its not an out! You called time before it was caught-remember? In the case of a fair ball, the IFF was called BEFORE the INT. In the case of the caught foul ball, the catch occurred after the INT-thus time was already out. You are only factoring in fair/foul for the purposes of placing the batter/batter-runner. Caught or uncaught matters not. Had the IFF not been in effect, (say R2, R3, no outs) the BR would be awarded first had the ball been fair-even if the ball is caught! (And, yes, before someone chimes in you can get two outs had the INT been an obvious attempt to break up a double play.)

Yes it is. See NFHS 7-4-1f. I am not going to open that can of worms but it is discussed in the ABUA link above posted by basejester.

Ok...good comments all around. Let's put a bow on this one as it relates to OBR and NCAA. The play is a great one to teach not only a rule, but the proper way to "think" as an umpire. Take things step-by-stem, in order and the rules get infinitely more simple. First off, we have an IFF-if fair called. So lets just tuck that one away for if we need it (we don't know yet if it will be fair or not). Next, we have interference on R3. Any time a runner commits interference the ball is IMMEDIATELY dead. So, the proper way to signal the interference is "TIME-THATS INTERFERENCE". That is probably the biggest lesson to learn from this, WHY it is imperative to call "TIME!" the moment you see the INT. By doing this, you can easily and quickly sort through the rest of the situation. If you fail to call TIME and just say "THATS INTERFERENCE" then your mind will start wondering into all these what if's that don't matter (see the the three replies for examples). By calling TIME, you, and everyone else at the yard, is now aware that anything after you said that magic word can be disregarded (well, ALMOST everything). In this sitch, one thing that happens after TIME is called DOES matter: whether the ball was fair or foul. Why? because you have to place the Batter/Batter-Runner. Since the ball was not in play when it was caught over foul territory, you CAN'T call the batter out. So what do you do? Well, thats why there is a rule for this. Simply, the only things that makes sense to do, and what the rule states, it so consider it a foul ball, charge a strike to the batter and bring him back to the plate. th3 asked about if it is caught or lands in fair territory: Well, remember that IFF-if fair? Time to enforce it! BR is out on the IFF, and R3 out on the INT. So anyway, I hope this drives home WHY it is so important to call TIME before the words "THATS INTERFERENCE" when calling INT on a baserunner.

What's the reference for the ball is immediately dead. As some know I am away from my books and can't place that statement in my minds eye. 7.09 - Penalty

Not sure if you mean actually getting in the game or working an independent league, but the Easton would look out of place if you mean the former.

That is definitely true for those on the road. I know some NCAA guys that wear the HSM but just bring their "backup" standard mask when they show up to do the bases. That way they have a mask if their partner goes down, and they only have to lug the HSM to and from the yard on designated plate jobs.

+1

Well I'm no Fittske, but Ill put in my .02: 1. You could grab the Diamond mask. That would be a less expensive option that is not heavy like steel or expensive like titanium. I've seen a AAA guy wear one before, but I'm not sure it's made for 95+ speeds... 2. Honigs single bar is also a good, reasonably priced mask. Also they come preloaded with Wendy's pads, so you could kill two birds with one stone.

Troutko- the third baseman (F5 if you are scoring at home...) caught the ball. While I did not say that in the OP, no other fielders are mentioned in the situation so you can assume. If fielders are converging or any other pertinent info is needed, I will include it. TTS got the call right, but is there anything else anyone wants to add from a learning perspective?

Ill be your partner anytime.

Bases loaded. 0 outs, 0-0 count. OBR. The batter hits a fly ball that will come down between third base and home. The plate umpire signals "infield fly if fair!" Then, during his attempted return to third, R3 interferes with the third baseman. The ball is caught over foul territory. Everyone is looking at YOU. What do you do? :shrug:

You can say that again : )

..sigh... Becker is spot on. Was the runner (still) being forced to the base AT THE MOMENT HE MISSED THE TOUCH. If so, no runs, if not, time play. Clear as mud?

I am looking for an old pair of black Oakley M frames. Frames only or frames and lenses if they are still in decent shape. If anyone has a pair they no longer use, shoot me a PM and we can work it out. Thanks

You can buy all the gear you will need once you get there. I'm sure Jim Kirk will be set up and ready to do business. Good luck-work hard and remember they can easily teach you to be a good umpire, but they can't teach you to be likable.

HA!!!! Classic...

Ump attire will be there to cater to all your gear needs.

Wow-I never thought I would hear an umpire speak against the drop dead rule. Personally, I love it. But, as you can probably guess, I am not one of those "I'm here for the kids" umpires...

Agreed. The price really isn't bad, and this whole kickback thing is just hearsay. But one thing I have learned in my 15+ years doing this is that umpires can (and will) always find something to complain about!

So true.

Jax-Do you know for a fact the FHSAA is taking a kickback from Honigs?

Umpires are hilarious. They spend tons money on some questionable things (high dollar sunglasses, 4 pairs of turf shoes, retrofitting their CP, $7 in energy drinks and sunflower seeds before every game) yet at the same time bitch about the cost of shirts, or that Polywools go up in price by a few bucks. It is your uniform-required to work-and you only buy them every few years. You prob make $1000 in a HS spring season and complain about spending $37 to wear the required shirt!

If you have the time and can swing the expense....GO

Unfortunately not. The classroom sessions will always cover the basics for the benefit of any newer guys. The nuances of the system will usually come up more during on-field drills/games when something happens that allows the instructor to share some deeper insight or small tip for that situation. BUT-there will be times that someone asks a great question during the classroom session that will lead the instructor to delve deeper into the topic being discussed. Those moments are where you (and everyone else in the room) really get your money's worth from the camp.