jjb

Play it

If the ball hits third base and skitters into foul territory, is it a fair ball or foul ball? There ya go......

I hear ya, Maven; I just figured he was confused enough as it was, and just answered the original question.

Touching the bag is irrelevant in your OP. The question is simply: was the ball in foul or fair territory when it hit him? Foul territory=foul. Fair territory=out.

If the ball hits him in foul territory, it's foul. If it hits him in fair territory, he's out. The runner is only protected from an Infield Fly. That's why the runner at third is taught to take his lead in foul territory. BTW, the rule that "the runners' not out if he's touching the base" is a softball rule.

I'm a Sox fan and I'm ok with all of it. Cora thought Severino was retaliating, and Hamari only warned both teams. This puts the heat on Cora's pitcher to not throw inside for the rest of the game. So, Alex came out to lobby for an immediate EJ of Severino. Hamari told him no, and launched him when he ran through the stop sign. Sounds like everyone did their job and hopefully, it's over. Not like we haven't seen this before....

On the other hand, what do you do when the TD schedules you for three games in a row, and schedules the games 5-10 minutes apart? When you tell him that you will need to switch from plate gear to base gear, he tells you "just leave the plate Umpire out there". We're talking upper 90's out there....

First, you have to know your rules. If the Infield Possession rule requires the runner go back, he goes back. Mud's right: you got a couple coaches who knew they had a rookie out there, and used your inexperience to take advantage of you. If you know the rules backward and forward, you'll feel confident about your rulings, which will give you the confidence to shut the coaches down. Don't be afraid to assert yourself. A simple, "Look gentlemen, we're not having this tonight, so knock it off", will generally stop the nonsense. And a coach threatening to pull his team should always be followed by your response "If you're pulling your team, coach, I'll be happy to rule on the forfeit: now what're you going to do?"

My guess is that you're new to the profession; if so, welcome. You've got a lot to learn, just like any other skill. Relax, have fun, and, as I've told countless rookies: "Hey, you're going to make mistakes; a ton of little ones, and a few big ones. It's ok, just learn from them". You haven't answered the question about training, but, if you're not getting enough, try going to a few games, sit behind the fence and watch the other Umpires; where they go, what they do, and how they handle issues. And, don't worry about coaches; you're doing a job they're not qualified to do, and know about half of what you know. Welcome to the site: there's a ton of experience out here, and happy to help out.

"But...when a questionable call changes the game or ends it, don't the players deserve at least a chat with the home plate umpire to hear if he seen the play the way the field umpire seen it? We tell our players to do your job to the best of your ability. They deserve the same. We understand that this might of been the umpires 2nd or 3rd game of the day, in 80 degree heat, etc. But again, the job is to get the call correct". No, they don't. In fact, if the Home Plate Umpire engages you at all about the play without the Base Umpire's permission, he has violated Rule 8.02(c): "No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire’s decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making it". That's what we're trying to tell you: you have to ask the Umpire making the call to get help, and it's up to him to get it or not. The best way to start the conversation is ask him "what did you see?" This will give you the information you need. If he answers "I saw the tag with the ball in the glove", then you can ask him to check, as you saw the ball in the other hand. If, "however, he answers "It was in the other hand, but still an out", now you've got something to protest. And, it's got to happen when it happens..

T: Federal (NOAA, not LL) Guidelines say this: See the "flash", start counting, "one one thousand, two one thousand", etc.. If you hear the "boom" by "thirty one thousand", it's not safe to be out there; get 'em off! Having said this, think for a minute; suppose you kill a game and you didn't have to; what happens? They re-schedule the game (something they do all the time). Now, suppose you didn't kill a game, but you should have? You're talking a life-changing decision. What will you decide? Is a parent going to sit in the ER saying, "well. at least we got the inning in". ...

Short answer; no, the Umpire will gesture to the Coach to check on him. Long answer; Unless the kid is hit in the face, or the head, the chances of injury at this level is pretty slim. Most of the time, the batter hitting the deck is because of (1) shock, or (2) a cry for attention. I've always interpreted it when I've trained Umpires as this: "You have a little sister, and punch her on the arm. She's not hurt, but immediately looks around for Mom. If she doesn't see her, she'll punch you back. If she sees Mom, she'll immediately fall to the ground like she's been shot." I've found that, unless the injury is severe, the less reaction the better.

So, OK, let's, for the moment, say you're right on all counts. R1, 1 out, D3K, the BR takes off for first, (just like you told him/her). R1, sees the BR taking off for 1st, takes off for second. F2 guns him/her down at second. You just coached yourself into an out. You're a coach; teach them the rules of baseball....

Chris: You got a lot of responses from qualified and experienced Umpires. Let me answer your question specifically. “Can a Manager request an appeal to another Umpire?” The short answer is “no”. If you think a call is in error, and try to go to the other Umpire, you will not be successful. Here’s why: The Rules specifically forbid the “other” Umpire to interfere with another Umpires’ call unless asked to by the Umpire that made the original call. Simple as that. Now, the longer answer. You can go to the original Umpire and ask him to check with his partner. Then, it’s up to him whether he wants to or not. If he does, he’s only going to ask for help on the call. Then, after getting more information, he can (1) change his call, or (2) stick with the original call. Notice, the other Umpire didn’t overrule him; he’s not allowed to do that, remember? He just gave him more information. And, if he says “nope”, you’re stuck with the call. Got it? If you don’t like a call, stay away from the other Umpire; he’s going to look at you like you’re speaking Klingon. He’s forbidden to interfere. Hope we answered your question.

Wait a minute: the defensive coach leaves the dugout, and walks to the foul line, and you're leaving the ball in play? I'm either (1) calling Time, or (2) telling the coach to get his a@@ off the da@@ field.

Then what do you think it constitutes? The coach asks for time, walks out onto the field, and confers with the pitcher. Sounds like a trip to me.

I've got enough trouble counting to four; you want me to count to 65?

I got to UIC a world series a number of years ago. I took my rookie (15-16 year old )Umpires and used them as scorekeepers. For 10 bucks a game and a tournament T-shirt, they got to sit in the shade, and watch a game. (They also got to watch more experienced Umpires work the game and answer questions afterward).

I may have to go to therapy to forget....

Maven, my underwear is 40....

shoot, my son thinks I'm weird and he's 29.....

I've just notified my assignor that I'm done for the season. I've been working solo games for the last month and I've had it. Not that it's all that difficult, it's just that the League that decided to only pay for solo games doesn't understand the limitations of the position. They seem to feel that, on a steal of second, I should be standing over the base when the throw gets there. It gets worse. It all came to head last night. They have this cockamamie line drawn 10' from the bases (it's 11 Major CR). The runner isn't allowed to cross the line until the pitcher begins his motion. The HC (who's also League President) complained that "the runner is a foot over the line". I tried to explain that "I'm watching the pitch", but he wasn't having it. I told him "look, you want me to watch the runner, I will, but I'm going to miss the pitch", but he kept saying "but, it's a rule!" There's a bunch more, (the rules are either "written in stone", "we decided at the meeting", or "well, we're going to do it this way"), but, it don't mean nothin'. I'm finishing out the month, and moving on...sorry, screw working solo, IMHO; I'll work 2-man for free before I work alone again. (See, I didn't hijack the thread!) ...if you need me, you can find me at the beach....

I've found that moving to the left gives me a better angle on the play than moving to the right. A step or two will generally clear the RH batter, unless he moves backward

Yeah, I hear ya, and, FWIW I agree with most of what you say. But, a lot of us are working Rec Youth Ball, which are, by definition, coached by dads who don’t know what’s expected/allowed, but think they know. A great deal of the time, we run across these people. For some reason, (mostly because they listen to other clueless people,) they think that, if they argue a play, it’ll give them an edge on the next play. It’s absolute nonsense; we don’t have the time to think “well, I gave the other team the last call, I’ll give them this one”. But, they try anyway. This is why they do what they do. They try it without crossing the line of “arguing calls”. You’ll see it in “Aw, nice pitch!” (I’ve even heard it when F1 hasn’t let go of the ball yet!), or, as in the OP, “Where was that, Blue?” It’s a way to argue, but not argue, know what I mean? This is mostly an annoyance; the coach isn’t out there kicking dirt on the plate, they’re just trying to get over on you. And personally, while I’m trying to keep my diastolic down, I’m really not in the business of tossing people; it don’t help, and bad for business. I’ll be happy to toss when it’s necessary, but, all in all, I’d rather not. Anyway, I’ll be patient with the occasional “where was that, Blue?” and answer him, and see what happens. If it re-occurs, I may try ignoring him and see if he gets it. Or, if he persists, a “not going there” will usually let him know he’s out of line. After that; all bets are off, and, hey, I tried…

See what happened there? He gave you an out, but you didn't take it. Think of this: HC: Was that pitch outside? You: Yup. End of discussion. ....