JonnyCat

UTA ( formerly TUS) teaches to stay in your normal starting position. If asked to move by a fielder, move left or right as needed. You can find this information in the bases loaded section (part 2 expanded version) of the MiLB Manual for the Two-Umpire System.

Why was there a runner on 3rd? Which runner was it? Was it the original R3, the one that scored? If so, and I don't know about the NCAA appeal process, would he have re-touched by virture of standing on the bag? Beerguy55 seems to think it was R2, but I can't tell. If it was R2 standing on the 3rd base bag, what was he doing there? Not criticizing anyone, just curious. I can't tell from the video, but according to the screen graphic, the run was not recorded and it was still bases loaded. Maybe it was R3 that went back. That would make sense about the run not scoring and bases loaded. I just don't know. Very odd. I'm hoping someone can shed light on this play.

I think you want to look at 6-2-4d-1. That specifies how you can get 2 strikes on 1 pitch.

In your case of example one, the coach may change the pitcher without penalty. See rules 3-1-1 and 3-1-2. The starting pitcher has already fulfilled his pitching obligation under 3-1-1, and the substitute would have to pitch to a batter or substitute batter, or record a 3rd out under rule 3-1-2. As for example two, I usually allow the batter and the on deck batter to be out of the dugout, but no more. I think there is a provision for this in the rulebook or casebook, but I can't find it right now. I'll look further, or someone else can weigh in.

This is a live ball situation. Play on.

I have never ejected a fan, but I have had some removed via an administrator, TD, or Board Member. I also agree we have no rule authority to eject fans. I'm fine with some umpires that want to eject fans, like Beerguy55 said, most people think we have the authority to do so. If that is what you want to do and it works for your games, knock yourself out. I teach, and have always been taught not to eject fans as an umpire. With that being said, maybe it's time to re-evaluate whether we should eject fans. With the shortage of umpires nationwide, mostly due to abuse, it wouldn't be a bad thing to start dumping unruly fans. It might be at least be something to consider and I don't think the world would end. I'm not saying it must be done, but it is certainly something to consider, or at least worthy of some civil discussion. We don't have to continue to conform to many of the old archaic philosophies that permeate our vocation. We can actually adapt to changing times and consider options that may be considered blasphemy by some. What would be the worst that could happen? We dump coaches and players, and usually everyone else shuts up. Why couldn't we do it with fans? Most say no, you can't do it or shouldn't do it, but why not? What if the rule books adopted provisions for ejecting unruly fans? Would it necessarily be a bad thing? Would it be a good thing? This may be one solution that helps replenish our diminishing numbers. Thoughts?

As long as the batter is legally in the box, then you can't very well tell him to move. The batter 's feet must be entirely in the box, and the lines are considered part of the box. Sometimes the slot does get smaller, but you have to do your best to see the pitch. There are two schools of thought when dealing with this situation. Always stay in the slot, do not move over to see the pitch. At pro school they teach to move up in the slot to get a better look, so yes, you may certainly be above the catchers head. The other school of thought is to move lower and try to look through that area below the batters arms. I've tried both ways and prefer going higher, but I will make adjustments depending on the situation. YMMV, use whatever method works better for you.

Minor League Baseball actually has a stretching matrix they developed. They taught it to us when I was at pro school. It's a program specifically designed for umpires. I use parts of it everytime I umpire or play softball and I really believe in it. It's helped me with flexibility, movement, and recovery. I can't stress enough the importance of stretching before any exercise. Any type of stretching is beneficial. Perhaps you could reach out to the Umpire Training Academy for more information.

I don't normally do this, but I just had to weigh in on the subject of patches. I guess I'm in a particularly venomous mood today! Disclaimer: This rant is in no way directed any anyone in particular, just my general opinion. I for the life of me can't understand the obsession with patches. We go round and round in my area at all levels about the patches, particularly at the HS level. Our HS association spends more time policing the patch requirement than anything else. We have members that haven't bought new uniforms since the 1990's it seems. I guess it's okay to have crappy looking uniforms but God forbid you show up looking sharp with creased pants and pressed shirts without their gaudy patch. Even if you have a logo on your hat, you still have to eff around with that ugly patch. You can go without the logo on your hat, but not your shirt. I don't get it. What in God's name is wrong with just the logo on your hat? I don't know, but apparently it's a mortal sin and subject to a fine if you don't have a patch on your shirt or jacket! A patch! You can show up with a filthy wrinkled ugly as heck navy shirt and as long as it has a patch on it, you're good to go! Really, at the HS level and down, who gives a flying F&@# what association you work for? Does anybody care? Does the HS coach not know which association has been working their games for the past 30+ years? Is the LL coach really that concerned if the umpire(s) are volunteer or from an association? Will the travelball (or Daddyball) coach temper his distain for your calls because he knows which association you represent? Does the TD of a weekend tournament not know which association they hired to work their games? Do the spectators look at the patch and say, "Oh great, the "XYZ Association of Extremely Talented Umpires of the Divine Burning Embers of the Holy Strike Zone", are working our game. I will have absolutely no reason to complain about anything on the diamond today!" Said no one ever! And branding and advertising doesn't matter either. It seems we waste so much time and energy on the patch. News flash. Nobody cares about the patch. Nobody cares what association we work for. Many of the umpire traditions and practices are stuck in the 1970's. The patch is a prime example. How about focusing on making sure your umpires look sharp, work hard, and try to get the calls right?

If I understand correctly, the ball was foul. Treat it as any other foul ball. Batter still at bat with whatever the count is. Call was "infield fly, if fair." Ball was foul, what was the issue?

Not sure if this would work, but maybe worth looking into? From Gerry Davis Sports. https://www.gerrydavis.com/product/B51AC01/Con-Cushion-Mask-Enhancer.html?cid=19

Fair ball. Ball hits the 3rd base bag, its a fair ball. Doesn't matter what happens after that. See OBR 2.00, definition of a fair ball.

Whaaaaaat!!!??? And miss some of the best lines in the whole movie?

Sounds like obstruction to me. LL does not have the "In the act of fielding" provision in the definition of obstruction. The fielder must have possession of the ball. In my experience, this call is often missed or mis-interpreted in LL and HS. I always hear people say, "well the fielder was doing what he was supposed to be doing."

Hoping and praying for a fast and complete recovery. I'll echo what MudisFun said, Steve is a great guy.

Still nothing. Live ball, play on.

It could be a lot of things, but it is not a rule violation. It's nothing, play on. Umpire interference can only happen in 2 specific instances. This is not one of them.

Good point and I agree that would help a lot. It's amazing how many baseball fields in my area don't have lights. Most of the HS fields don't and they probably never will due to the cost.

I agree that an increase in the fees would go a long way to attract more people. And with more people, associations could demand better training and more professionalism among their employees. That's assuming associations would follow suit. That's the problem with my HS association, few care about getting better. But with that being said, an increase in pay is more of a pipe dream at this point. Financially for me and many others in my area, umpiring 3pm games makes no sense. I'm leaving a half days pay to make a paltry $76.00? It doesn't pay the bills. It's not unreasonable for rents or mortgages in So Cal to be $2500.00 a month and much more. Do the math, that's 30 grand a year or more for rent or mortgage. You'd have to do 400 games at an average of $76.00 games just to pay rent here. Many of the games pay even less that that. Most travel-ball pays around $50.00 per game. Yeah, it would be nice to get paid more, but probably not going to happen. Not sure why baseball pays so little. Maybe the tide will be turning with the shortage of officials, but for now, it will still just be a little extra income out here. I think officiating might always be just some extra cash on the amateur level. I agree the fees should be at least doubled and put us more in line with other sports. Even with an increase in pay, it's still always going to be a part time job with part time pay. But for some reason baseball seems more unique to abuse of the officials. I don't see it as much in other sports. In fact, when my son's played water polo and on the swim team, not only did the officials get payed more for a lot less work, there was little to no abuse whatsoever in the 8+ seasons I watched. I think more realistically, changing the culture would have a more immediate impact in recruitment. When trying to recruit new umpires, in my experience the number one reason for people give for not wanting to do it is that they don't want to get yelled at. It's also the reason people walk away from it, they get tired of the abuse. Until TD's, High Schools, and youth leagues start to demand a higher set of standards and behavior, people are going to be reluctant to officiate. Couple that with low pay, that's a tough hurdle to overcome.

Agree with Richvee. If you're tracking the ball properly and watching the hit off the bat, you're never going to see where the batter's foot lands. Nor should you. Like Rich said, that rule is there for the obvious. Remember, the rule states that the batter must contact the ball with the foot entirely on the ground outside the box. Usually it's not as the coach thinks it is. Don't concern yourself too much where the foot lands. Track the ball to the glove and follow the ball off the bat. That burner right down the 3BL, you're going to want to see that! Not where his foot landed.

Yes.

I agree the problems are many, and the solutions are few. First of all, there aren't a whole lot of people that want to officiate anyway, so the pool of availability is already small. Couple that with low pay, early start times, a lot more games, and abuse; the pool becomes even smaller. In my area, especially with HS, it's mostly about availablity. With HS games starting around 3pm, there are not many people that are available. With the high cost of living in So Cal, who is able to make those games? Myself and for many of my colleagues, we can't leave work to go make a lousy $76.00. I wouldn't be able to afford my house, cars, wife, and kids. It's a hobby for me. I can't have it interfere with my real job. However, for many of the officials in our area, officiating is a major source of their income. They are either older retired guys supplementing their income, or other guys barely scraping by. They only care about the money. And since they get games no matter what because they are always available, they don't care about training, mechanics, looking sharp, etc. Why should they? Our assigner has to fill games, and he gives them first to who is available. We put on training (I'm a lead instructor), and hardly anyone shows up. The association tries to mandate participation, but number one, it's an empty threat because the membership knows the many games have to get filled. And number two, our BOD is a revolving door filled with the above mentioned people. They simply don't care about training or bettering themselves. They don't want to do anything that doesn't pay them money. Every fall, we have an opportunity to work San Diego State intersquad games at Tony Gywnn stadium. It's the best baseball I'll ever see, and I jump at every opportunity to work those games. It's a great training resource in a relaxed environment. It's open to all of our HS members. But hardly anyone wants to work them because they don't pay. This also leads to another huge problem, and probably the most significant reason why it's hard to find officials in our area. Our HS association has a scratch list. Each coach can scratch up to 5 umpires per year. Doesn't matter the reason, they can scratch 5. The officials that need the money are deathly afraid of getting on this list. So what happens? They are reticent to eject for fear of losing games and income. They let the coaches, players, and fans walk all over them. It breeds a culture of poor behavior and abuse. Honestly, if I wasn't already an umpire when I watched my boys play baseball throughout HS, I would not have wanted to become one. More pay is all well and good, but unrealistic of course. In So Cal, you'd have to pay each umpire $200.00 a game to make it even worth while to make 3pm weekday game. What really needs to change is the culture. Get rid of the abuse and you'd have more people. Not sure how to do that, but that is the real issue.

I've seen this debate over calling time when cleaning the plate many times on this and other forums over the years. While MadMax makes some great points, I just don't see any appreciable savings in time(pun intended) by not calling time to dust off the plate and putting the ball back in play. I don't really care if the PU calls time or not, do whatever works for you. But situational awareness is most definitely the key. Now if I have a couple of runners bury the plate while sliding into the dustbowl known as the batters box in my area, and maybe a runner is in scoring position, I have no issue with calling time and cleaning the plate. (Sometimes shoveling the 2 yards of dirt off the plate can take a while ). After all play relaxes, the catcher is not in position yet, I have a batter that is walking to the plate after being on deck, and calling time IMO just doesn't really have any bearing on the length of the game. Besides, after play is relaxed, 99.9% of the time, the players and coaches think time has been called anyway. I just don't have an issue with it. With that being said, I try to work my games with efficiency and a workmanlike manner. I don't like anyone waiting on me. I always strive to keep the game moving and I never grant time unnecessarily. While you don't need to call time everytime you clean off the plate, I think there can be times when it's prudent.

Ben Phillips, one of the umpires in the video, was on my crew in pro school. Great guy and great umpire. That is a wonderful story, and I'm happy he is a part of it.

Is that good or bad?