JHSump

I wouldn't worry about it. Charlie's just a cone.

I agree, not a balk if F1 is disengaged. I just want to comment on "...and cost them the game." This sort of statement is usually over the top. Unless, for example, the OT was behind by one run, and it was the last inning, and that "balk" would have tied game. Or, unless it was tied in the last inning and that "balk" would have won the game for the OT. Otherwise, so many contributing events occur after that decision (each pitch could have been a ball or strike, hit or missed, etc.), you can't really pin the lose on that decision. But it is common for coaches to concentrate on such things without "seeing" the reality of their loss.

IMO given the reaction of the batter I would have decided that the ball hit his hand. Whether it hit the bat first or at the same time cannot be humanly decided in real time, I think. Even the replay won't help in this case. So, the batter was hit by the pitch. Then, the question is did he offer on the bunt. The pitch was right at him and it looks to me like he was trying to not offer He was trying to pull back and at the same time in the process of saying "Oh sh!t!." So in the end, after the replay, I think they got it right.

@Jocko, really!? That would be cool!

Why do these umpire not want the plate? Can't take all the squatting (e.g., bad knees)? Too many injuries in an already long career? You might just try to have an honest conversation with them. Or, maybe not, if they are just acquaintances. I don't understand why umpires would *not* want the plate. I'd rather have the plate in every game I do. But, we are assigned plate/base in HS games. And, in tournaments (i.e., a bunch of games in a few days) everyone should take on a share, as Jocko says. The plate is more interesting. The plate is more challenging. The plate is more fun. You have control of the game. You have to interact (properly) with the managers/head coaches, which is always more interesting than standing out in RF between innings. For that matter, if I don't know my partner, I'd rather have the plate. I guess I come down on the side that thinks the plate umpire is more important to the general flow and atmosphere of the game. I want it my way (e.g., no wasted time between innings, ball put in play after fouls, etc.) @Jocko, when we work together (I'd look forward to that!), I hope it's a DH, so we can split it.

Looks like he started from the windup...and the runners took off, since they saw him start his windup. Then he stopped. Actually, at that point it was probably a good idea to stop his windup. The runners would get their next bases if he continued or not, and if he threw the pitch the batter would get a free swing. But, I doubt he was thinking anything other than, "Oh sh!t."

Yes, I agree @Thunderheads. I was commenting on the "other act" (being hit by the throw) which @ricka56 is worried about.

When I get to the MLB (haha) I will grant time before the BR reaches 1B. But in any games I currently do (youth league through college club), I wait until the BR reaches 1B and all runners appear to be settled in.

Right: that act alone is not sufficient for an INT call, so he must do some further act, beyond and distinct from merely continuing to run the bases. The BR in the OP did not (as far as we know) do any such further act. The defense threw the ball and hit him. That is not INT because the BR did not do it. All he did was continue to run, which the rules specifically, explicitly, and in no uncertain terms permit him to do. I disagree that 7.09e requires a further, seperate, or distinct act (thought those aren't excluded). Why isn't an accompanying act a possible additional act. He continued to advance AND got in the way of a play being made on another runner. This isn't the generally accepted exception to 7.09e where the defense is dumb enough to make a play on an advancing (already out) runner. IMO, 7.09e was put in the rules to prevent the offense from intentionally or unintentionally mucking up a following play. Giving this runner a pass because he didn't do anything intentional just isn't cricket. I see what you are saying. The retired BR continued to run, and, he got hit with the thrown ball. But, he did not intentionally act in such a way as to get hit with the ball --- "intentionally interferes" is the wording in 7.09(j). Therefore, his getting in the way of the throw was not intentional, so it is not interference. There is such a thing as an "unintentional act" in law, at least, but it does not apply to interference with with a thrown ball in baseball.

From what I have learned here on U-E from other posts in the past, 1) My plate meeting is LEGS (Lineups, Equipment proper and legal, Ground rules, Sportsmanship). I don't discuss the mercy rules unless a coach asks. They should know them, and almost always do. In timed games, I state the time limit, and tell them time starts at the end of this meeting. Coin flip occurs then, if needed. I don't discuss initiate discussion of anything else. 2) I don't initiate conversations with coaches during games. Invites unnecessary and unwanted discussion. If a manager or coach asks about a mercy rule during the game, I answer, of course. 3) I don't announce how many runs are needed by anyone in the last inning or to avoid a mercy rule ending. (Gee, sometimes a manager will essentially concede a game by mercy, throwing a non pitcher for the last inning, so who am I to tell anyone what he "needs to do" as far as runs or strategy is concerned. I've seen this happen in a tournament.) 4) If a manager or coach asks how many minutes are left at some point during a timed game, I will answer. Sometimes I tell them (between innings), when there are 5 minutes or less left in the game. 5) When the game ends by mercy rule or end of last inning, I drop the balls on the plate and walk away with my partner. Both team's coaches should know the score and the mercy rules. I don't say, "Ball game!" (If there is a a time limit, and it is reached, I say, "Time!" and then "Time has expired.") [One thing on "I drop the balls on the plate and walk away." --- in the tournaments I often do, we are required to keep a score card with score and the outs pitched by each pitcher. And, the managers sign the card after the game ends. So I can't simply walk away at the end of those games. Instead I walk to the mound and complete the card while the teams shake hands, then the managers approach me, sign the card, and my partner and I head off.] If the veterans here think I am incorrect in some of my takeaways from previous discussions, please let me know. I see a variety of approaches being discussed in this thread, some of which might invite issues, I think.

Kershaw is pitching right now in he all star game. He certainly does not come to a complete stop.

Why was R2 was unable to score on this? Was he parked on 2B? Or, "halfway"? Sounds like there may have been an opportunity to win on that hit. Tagging up and going to 3B is unlikely on a catch, given the fly ball was not deep in the outfield. Going "halfway" (maybe not that far, specifically) may have given R2 the opportunity to score once the ball landed and various fielders were sliding around in the vicinity of the ball.

18-U? No, I would not consider it. Is your CP too hot? It may be too big. Does it reach down to your belly-button, or lower. If so, you may not need such a long CP for 18U. I find I need more protection at 10U than 18U. But for all levels I wear the smallest CP I can --- a West Vest Gold, S/M sized. I am only 5-9, 160 lbs. You may need a larger CP than I do, but consider using a lower-profile, smaller CP than you currently do. Also, you might look into moisture-whicking undergarments, if you don't already use them. And, there are those cooling pads discussed by others. I'd consider all these options before using a balloon. I used a balloon many years ago, and when I first used an inside protector I was amazed at how much easier it was to umpire with an inside protector.

"I never got in trouble calling strikes". Al Alford (1974 CWS, ABUA Umpire Hall of Fame) Recently I've received two comments on my young-kids strike zone... One comment came from a D1 coach, whose kids played in a youth local league I umpire for. He watched some of the games. I would say we were acquaintances. He moved on to another college. His friendly parting words to me: "Keep that zone big!" The other comment came at the end of a 9U travel tournament game the other day. I was PU and called a big zone. Nobody complained about the zone during the game. Coaches did remind their players with two strikes to protect the plate. The game ended in a 4-4 tie after 6 innings (for this pool-play day we were told games should end at six innings, even if in a tie). It was a well-played defensive game with the ball put in play at almost every at-bat. Very few walks. A grandma approached me and my partner as we left the field. She stuck out her hand and said, "I want to congratulate you. That was the worst g#d-dam##d umpiring I have ever seen." I shook her hand, politely said, "Thank you," smiled, and then we continued on our way to the press box. Guess which comment I consider informed and worthy of consideration.

Hmmmm....Most of you seem so sure this was a ball. But I think it can be argued that it was legitimately called a strike. For one thing, it may depend on how he was calling those throughout the game. And, if you watch closely Punto squats as the ball passes the plate, giving the impression the pitch was higher than it was. Watch where the catcher receives the pitch, then look at Punto's stance before he squatted down as the pitch passed him. Too close to take, at the least.

Why pm? Just put them in this thread, please.

I was watching the Sunday night ESPN game (July 6, 2014). Bottom of the 9th, lightning and loud thunder. (Along with rain.) Game continued, even through a pitching change. Eventually ending, maybe 10 minutes after the first lightning/thunder. I was surprised the game continued. I would have instantly suspended play in any event I officiate. What are the "rules/procedures," if any, for MiLB/MLB in regards to lightning?

Keep. Tucked. Not a problem for me, so I figure why remove any protection that is not a problem.

Is this not a myth? Can anyone cite a statute or case opinion from any state that says you are more exposed to liability for umping a scrimmage than a "real" game? I view this as a convenient excuse for not wanting to ump a scrimmage. Yes, a jury can do unpredictable things, and legal fees and costs usually are not recoverable even if you win, but your actual liability is minuscule whether it is a scrimmage or a scheduled game. In California (and I would assume most other states), participants in a sporting activity assume the risk of injury resulting from that participation. I disagree that the risk is the same for an umpire doing a scheduled game vs. an umpire volunteering/suggesting to do an unscheduled scrimmage in place of a forfeited game, on the spot, or volunteering to continue officiating a game officially ended by a mercy rule. In the first case, if you just show up at the scheduled time, and follow the rules, you have little risk. In the second case (1) you have become an *organizer* of a previously unscheduled event, (2) your official-looking appearance lends weight to the event possibly convincing players/parents that they should participate (as they may testify), and (3) you have already violated the rules of the tournament/event/baseball, which say the game has been forfeited/suspended. In the first case, you are barely on the radar. In the second case, you did the wrong things. And, you may pay for that. I love baseball. I love umpiring. I would rather umpire a game than not. But I love my family more. I won't expose myself unnecessarily. There will be another game the next day. But, you may do what you want.

I am sure others will give you their thoughts on many things you brought up in your story. Here is the one I will mention: Don't suggest that you will officiate a scrimmage when an official game is suspended/canceled/forfeited If someone gets hurt in the scrimmage, you could be held responsible. If a manager, or the tournament director, asks you to officiate a scrimmage in such a situation, politely tell him you are sorry but you cannot, for legal reasons. That will end the discussion and nobody will give you grief about it.

Interestingly, this appears to be a new addition to the 2014 OBR.

OBR --- prescribed penalty for carelessly thrown bat (e.g., hits catcher). In FED it's a warning and then ejection. I know, it won't happen since it's not an issue in MLB. But it would reduce the issues in all youth-level games that are extensions of OBR.

I actually agree with all you said. But, my question is what do the ESPN guys think is going on that makes these catchers successful?

I often find myself silently repeating the @maven mantra, as I prepare to take the plate: "Call more strikes." And, the related mantra, "There are no borderline pitches." These thoughts get me in the right frame of mind for all my games. At any level.

I think we need a pic. Just don't point it at me!