PeteBooth

Warren, Carl is working on the 2011 version which is NOT yet on sale Check out this link. Scroll down and you will see where Carl referes to the 2011 BRD. http://baseball.officiating.com/ SUGGESTION: Warren is it possible to add links to this site so that a viewer can simply click on the link and order the materials? IMO, tha MAJOR materials that you can get on line would be 1. The PBUC manual 2. Rick Roder's Rules of Professional Baseball 3. Carl Childress's BRD (Baseball Rule Differences) 4. MLBUM - Major league baseball Umpire manual To my knowldege the ONLY major material that you cannot get on line is Jim Evans Annotaded (JEA) Pete Booth

Rosa in addition to downloading the rule books I STRONGLY suggest that you buy additional OBR materials like Rick Roders Rules of professional baseball. On this site you often have posters like myself refer to these materials abbreviated JR. Here is the link for Rick's book http://www.rulesofbaseball.com/ Another EXCELLENT source which explains the differences in the major rule codes (OBR / NCAA and FED) is Carl Childress's BRD (baseball Rule differences) You can get that at the following address: http://baseball.officiating.com/ The reason for purchasing add'l materials especially OBR is because the OBR rule book is poorly written and poorly indexed. Pete Booth

Here is what you know The runner was advancing towards a base and was obstructed. I know what the rule says but IMO, that's for a different type scenario. The defense committed an infraction of the rules and should be penalized. I will ask you this? Suppose the defense threw back towards second base and tagged out R2. Would you have let the out call stand? If a runner is TRULY advancing and is obstructed while advancing then award the next base otherwise IMO, you are giving the offender a "free ride". Pete Booth

From the OP Perhaps the reason R2 stopped and returned to second base was because of the OBS. We do not know We DO know that the defense committed an infraction of the rules and IMO should be penalized. When we rule interference we do not "wait and see" we simply enforce the penalty. I know what the rule says "award bases IF ANY" BUT in enforcing we should give FULL benefit to the runner. How about future events? The defensive coach sees that the runner was NOT awarded third base. The "light bulb" just went off and in the future he might teach his fileders to purposely obstruct the runner because the umpire is ONLY going to protect the runner back to his original base. FWIW that's why I prefer the FED ruling. When you commit an infraction of the rules you should get penalized otherwise why bother calling it in the first place. In the OP I would award the obstructed runner 3rd base. Pete Booth

I am with Brian. Suppose you have R2. Since we have an overthrow, the PU has to watch R2 touch third and be ready for a possible play at the plate. or we could have R3 and as soon as R3 sees the ball overthrown takes off for home. Bottom line: In a 2 person crew the BU should NOT go into Foul territory. Have I done it - Yes, but it was not the right thing to do and is NOT taught at clinics. As Brian said you could get yourself in all kinds of hot water. Pete Booth

LL is "late to the party" Select travel leagues already have 50/70 in place for quite some time now. IMO, it makes for a better game. As far as umpire mechanics go it's the same as if you were on the BIG diamond. IMO, just a hunch but perhaps ESPN / ABC is behind this somehow meaning eventually they want a "different" brand of ball for ratings as opposed to the current structure. LL is therefore, using this experimental program to some-day get ready for the switch when ABC says so. Pete Booth

Forget about the rule book definition of the strike zone. As Kyle said it is simply a Reference point. The REAL definition of the strike zone is that zone which is accepted for the leagues we service. No one other then MLB hitters likes a postage stamp. The zone varies depending upon the age of the players. You said HS varsity and above. At that level numbers 1 thru 3 are a bit high vs. the Modified JV levels. RE: The definition of the zone is NOT age driven. You cannot expect a 7th / 8th grader F1 to have the same control and command of the zone as a HS varsity or College player. For the most part you are almost always going to hear some moans / groans as that is inevitable BUT if you are hearing them all game long for the most part means you are NOT calling the zone the way the particpants expect. Example: In my first 2 / 3 years in HS ball I did mainly modified (7th / 8th graders) and JV ball. After my thrid year I was promoted to a varsity official. During that summer my assignor also moved me up and I started umpiring Legion and CBL (Collegiate Wood bat league). I had the dish (it was my first time at that level) for a CBL league. I called a batter out on a called third strike and in a nice way simply said "Blue this is NOT JV" When I had the bases I started watching the zone that was called by veteran umpires at this level and also on my own attended some games so that I could improove. By my 3rd / 4th dish assignment I got better. As previously mentioned I still heard some moans and groans but NOTHING like my first couple of times meaning I was now calling the zone EXPECTED at this level. Pete Booth

Rich no coaching clinic needed. You DO NOT convert Type B into Type A Example which is the way I am interpreting the OP. In the OP all that was said is throw coming in. ground ball to outfield. F8 fields the ball and throws the ball to F5, however, in rounding second base R2 is obstructed by F6. At the time of the OBS we had Type "B" because even though the INTENT of the fielder was to throw out R2 the ball was being fielded or the outfielder fielded the ball and started his throwing motion towards F5. The throw to F5 is subsequently a bullseye. It is STILL type B because you do NOT convert Type B into Type A. When F5 makes a tag attempt on R2 NOW we "kill it" Just because a fielder fields the ball and his intent is to throw out R2 is not Type A. An ACTUAL play on the runner needs to be performed which IMO is what the interp in the MLBUM is referring to. A play is defined as an act on the part of the defense in putting out a runner. If the throw is off-line etc. what difference does it make what the intent of the fielder was. A PLAY has NOT yet commenced in accordance with the definition, hence Type B OBS. As the MLBUM interp says the throw has to be in a DIRECT LINE towards the fielder. In the OP it's unclear. if you remember "back in the day" at eteamz there was a HUGE debate on a similar issue. FWIW: if this was a FED game the point is moot because ALL OBS is delayed dead and we wait until ALL playing action ceases before enforcing. Pete Booth

From the OP Throw coming in WHERE? The passage you quoted is for professional athletes. if the throw is No-where near third base how can you say that a play is being made on an obstructed runner. Unless the throw is RIGHT ON it's type B OBS because the runner should be allowed to keep advancing at his own risk. Notice the terminology in the MLBUM direct throw to a base vs the terminology in the OP the throw coming in. just because a throw is coming in doesn't translate into the same interp as the MLBUM. Unless the outfielder was Pedro Guerro in his prime or the late Roberto Clemente it's type B This OP would be type A IF the throw was DIRECT AT F5 and the runner was obstructed. Then I agree call Time and make the award. Depending upon the age level of the players I doubt that there was a DIRECT throw right to F5. Pete Booth

I left out the interference part of the equation for right now. the aforementioned is Type "B" OBS and the play remains Live until a tag attempt is made on the obstructed runner. Now the 3rd base coach interferes with the throw which is also a delayed ball situation. Therefore, unless we have type "A" OBS which IMO this OP is not, the runner is out. The order of events in this case doesn't matter. Even if you did award the runner 3rd base because of the OBS. He would then be called out because of the interference by the 3rd base coach. As far as an EJ. If it was BLATANT interference as the OP suggests then the 3rd base coach would be EJ'd. Pete Booth

The KEY Ingredient EVEN in FED Did the PU put the ball in play? In FED you can make a dead ball appeal (if you want to) but it is NOT necessary. Therefore, IF the PU did in fact put the ball in play and R3 scored, then the run would stand. In a nusthell in order to answer properly we need to KNOW whether or not the PU put the ball back into play again. Reason I ask is due to the following If the ball was dead why did the umpires allow this to happen in the first place. The umpires should have signalled TIME when they saw R2 coming home IF the ball was dead. Pete Booth

Perhaps my post came across harsh which was NOT my intent. I was simply responding to the part about priortising. She mentioned buying equipment was NOT on top of the priority list BUT in the same breath said she umpires LL games for free and THAT was my point. From her post I KNOW she enjoys umpiring LL games BUT LL is for free. Depending upon one's situation you now have to PRIORITISE especially in her situation where she stayed at home with her son. I realize Fees in the states are higher then where she lives but none-the-less these "other" leagues still pay. She mentioned she did 10 or so of these paying games. If she didn't umpire LL for free perhaps whe could do more games for the leagues that do pay no matter how small the Fee is. "something" is better then NOTHING. I could have umpired like her or others LL games for free OR work in HS and above where I averaged a $50-$60 game Fee. The Choice (priority) was easy - work in leagues that pay especially when you are a single parent trying to make ends meet. I did not mean to "get on her" or "chastise" her. I was simply referencing the part about prioritising. Pete Booth

In the future, Take ONLY one game when the temps are that high plus the heat index. OR At the plate conference ask if they would rather play 1 9 inning game and call it a day. Last week same thing happened to me BUT the teams were obliging and ONLY played 1 nine inning game. Umpiring is NOT our day job and the vast majority of us have to go to work the next day. If your association has no-one else - Oh well it's not worth it. The flip side also occurs meaning I have had F2's on the verge of passing out. FWIW: Games are cancelled when it rains / snows or extreme cold. IMO, When the temps are that high with the index the game should also be canclelled. Pete Booth

Since you mentioned Priority List Why did you umpire LL games for nothing? While I admire your devotion to LL, if you are going to Prioritise then you should have looked for other venues that pay. IMO you cannot have it both ways meaning LL games should NOT have been at the top of your Priority list just like buying your equipment wasn't. I was a single father of 4 and made that choice. My kids are now grown. I was NOT going to umpire for free as at that time in my life I couldn't afford to. Do not know what kind of part time jobs you had etc. BUT you could have became HS certified instead of doing LL games. HS Fees in most areas are pretty good. Also, even if you could NOT do HS games because of your job you could do summer / fall travel leagues. Let's say you put 75-80% of the fee back into the household and saved 20-25% of the fee for equipment or some combination there-of. Also, while it can cost in the neigborhood of $500.00 for equipment you can get starter packages for around $200.00 or so. When I started out I bought a Starter package (Vest / Shin-guards / mask and accesories) from Honigs for about $200.00. Until I moved up the vest afforded me good enough protection. As I started to advance and do more and more games I THEN bought the top of the line stuff. You can also visit many Umpire sites and guys / gals that are retiring etc. offer up their equipment for an affordable price. Today there are many venues in which to search for equipment that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. In Summary, it appears you are a dedicated umpire BUT made a wrong choice in umpiring LL games for free. You prioritised in one area but NOT the other. Also, until you have extra money "tailor your needs on equipment" meaning if you have to buy used so be it. Pete Booth

Jax you nailed it. Coaches Coach Players play Umpires officiate IMO, we need to keep that DELINIATION in mind. When an umpire coaches he should think as a coach meaning be courteous BUT if there is a ruling that is NOT correct then by all means protest because that is your job. IMO, the assignor in the OP should NOT have been called. If the umpire/ coach got EJ'd then the EJ is treated just like any other EJ, meaning we either write-up or E-mail the incident to our assignor who forwards it to the league administrators - End of story. REALITY: If the umpire is also a jerk coach eventually no one will want to work with him. If the assignor looks at arbiter and sees many many cancellations from officials working with this jerk THEN the assignor will get involved because the behavior is NOW effecting HIS business. Until then treat any umpire who coaches the same as you would other coaches. Pete Booth

Let me get this straight Your association DICTATES to the umpires how and whom they can EJ? Unless you need the money REAL bad I would NOT work for such an association. The association as a whole is siding "with the enemy" An umpire association is supposed to have it's members back not the "other' way around. Doesn't appear your association has either yours or Warren's back based upon your statement All I can say is WOW! Pete Booth

In OBR it's NOT a balk. If F1 continues to take signs while not in contact with the pitcher's plate then you EJ F1. In FED it IS a balk, but as mentioned even in FED I would warn the FIRST time. If he does it again then you balk him. Pete Booth

First and Foremost you need to KNOW the rules on a league you service. Also, any SPECECIAL rules for tournament play. Some Cal Ripken Babe Ruth leagues even though OBR based do play by FED rules (FWIW I have umpired in such leagues). Therefore, I do not know if this type tournament was using FED rules or not as you didn't mention it. In any event absent MC, the play by the runner was legal. It's a judgement call and should not be protestable. You made a ruling and the coach protested. The requirements were not present. You have 2 choices. 1. Accept the protest, note it and finish the game OR Let the TD sort things out. I prefer number 1 because from your OP it doesn't appear that this particular tournament "had their act together" and I am NOT going to wait all day for a decision. Pete Booth

When I played ball we had many many pick-up games. I learned from watching others and repitition. IMO, if you have to tell yourself something it could be detrimental meaning you can now OVER-THINK the situation. It's like a running back in football. Even though a certain play is called, the running back reacts on instinct. Umpiring is similar. You attend cliniques to get the knowledge and then through repitition (many games) you automatically react. It's like calling MC or a balk. Sometimes these concepts are difficult to put in words or explain BUT once you see it you KNOW it. When I do find myself talking to myself that means I am getting tired (perhaps too many games umpired that day) or I am getting bored (ie; a blow-out game) Pete Booth

Forget about what transpired after-wards. Rule 8.01 was violated. F1 shall take his signs from F2 while IN CONTACT with the pitcher's plate. In OBR there is no penalty it's a do not do that. Babe Ruth I believe is OBR based. At that point you should have called TIME and warned F1 that he MUST take his signs while in contact with the rubber. In FED this is a balk, HOWEVER, even in FED I would tell F1 to make certain he takes his signs properly. The next time a balk would be called. Pete Booth

No: Here is what I am saying With R2/R3 the play will most likely be at first base (if hit in the infield) R2 can't go anywhere (or shouldn't) so in B IMO we are in a much better position to make the out call at first ESPECIALLY if it's a banger or a possible pulled foot / swipe tag then we would in the C slot. if the ball is hit in the air simply move to where you need to be. Like I said you do what your association wants you to. It's "no biggie" either way. Pete Booth

Warren from my experience no matter what kind of game you call Teams need a "different look" It's not a good idea to umpire the same team(s) many times. I had that in HS one year. Out of the 20-25 Varsity games I did I had one school 7/8 times. FWIW: Do NOT umpire a lot of games involving this particular team. Let's say you had this team 8-10 times already. Next year I would cut that in half at the very minimum. Also, I echo another poster, if possible (I Know sometimes it isn't) switch assignments with another umpiring crew once you KNOW you will have this particular team. Your type of OP is all too common when umpiring many games with a local team in which you have ties. It's a "catch 22" as you found out. Pete Booth

I was TAUGHT and still do NOT verbalize a swinging strike 3. I simply indicate the OUT with my right hand. If it was a check swing that I called a strike I would point and say "yes he did" and ring up the out. If we have a questionable DK3, I will point to the ground indicating we do not have a catch and the batter is NOT yet out. At the 18U level if they do not know they are out when they swing and miss for strike 3 - TOO BAD If they get caught for a BOO situation it's NOT a shi*****m but stupidity on the part of the offense and we should punish stupidity whenever possible. Pete Booth

Rich gave you the answer BUT suppose F5 left the game and the manager brought in a NEW F1. That NEW F1 now bats in F5's spot because the DH is done for the day. Pete Booth

With R2/R3 I am in B, however, you must position yourself where your association wants you to. I prefer B because as BU we MUST also watch B1 TOUCH first base should the ball be dropped. On routine fly balls from B you can position yourself around the "working area", take a glance at B1 to make sure he touches and then watch the catch / no catch. The PU has the Tag-up of third base and the BU has BOTH B1 (watching the touch of first base and also take B1 to second base should the ball be dropped) and the tag-up of R2 (which is moot if the ball is dropped). There should be communication between the 2 umpires. One umpire says I have the ball meaning catch/no-catch responsibilities. if the PU says "Pete I've got the ball" then I simply line myself up to see R2 tag properly and also take a peek at B1 to make certain he touches first base. If I have the catch/no-catch - I take a quick glance at B1 and then make the catch / no catch call. NOTE: I do not "go crazy" watching B1 touch first base when I have catch/no-catch responsibilities. I give the "glance look" so that the coaches see me my head turn towards first base so that if they appeal they cannot say "Pete you were not watching" That's a drawback of the 2 person system. TROUBLED BALLS This is a MUST in Pre-game. Depending upon my partner if I as BU have the catch / no catch on a troubled ball (say F8 is making a diving catch) then I want my partner the PU to take a glance at B1 should the ball be dropped and the defense want to appeal. Again a "glance" so that you are showing the coaches that someone is watching he runners touch the base. If it's a troubled ball down the RF/line, then I will signal to my partner that I have BOTH tag-ups so that he can "cheat" more to see not only the catch/no catch but whether or not the ball is Fair / Foul Another drawback in the 2 person system. In a nutshell The BU has Catch /no-Catch in the V meaning from LF to RF. Anything to the right of F7 or the left of F9 is generally the PU's call. The PU 99.99% of the time has the tag up at third base. The BU has the remainder. Communicate with your partner. Pete Booth