sthomas13100

Crazy situation last night, I'm doing a one-man at smaller HS. Partner had to go cover another game at the last minute. Bases loaded, no outs. Kid swings at an inside pitch, saws him off, and breaks a two-piece BBCor bat. Ball goes two feet in front of home plate, I signal fair and say nothing, BR stands there stunned looking at his broken bat, catcher stands there looking at the bat as well. After what seemed like a minute, coach finally yells at catcher, catcher picks up ball, touches home and throws to first. What I didn't see, R1 passed R2, and R1 is standing on third and R2 is standing on second. I had to keep my eye on the ball for so long, I never saw the base runner pass the other. So, the DC comes to me after requesting time, explains that one runner passed the other. I went to the book and verified he was correct and called the runner out for a triple play. Had no complaints from either coach, FYI. My question; any suggestions how to handle this situation better?

Good point MidAmUmp. This is exactly why I came on here this morning. Great advise and I'll be better moving forward. Thanks for advise/comments, very helpful!

There is no penalty for receiving sign while no in contact with the rubber. Umpire should have said, "Don't do that!" 1. at 9U, warn, unless the balk put a runner in jeopardy, then enforce the balk. 2. Never 3. Two different methods, pitch type is given in the crouch before the pitch. My question is; how many signs do you need to give to a 9 year old pitcher?

Maven, I just gave the readers digest version of the conversation. My first words to him were, "SS is protected and has every right make a play on the ball, your runner has to avoid contact." Then he went into his "no, he can take a direct path to his base." I even got him to admit the contact. Then he kept on this "why did you make the call, and not him?, Can you get help? Can I go to him?" My reply, "I saw the interference and I called the interference. I'm the calling official, I don't need help, and no you can not go to him." This is when he proceeded onto the field and said loud enough for everyone to hear, "after the game, you need to tell your partner he screwed that one up, that was your call all the way!" This is when I confined him to "umpire timeout". The one thing you said, ignore his reputation is correct. Guy deserves a clean slate each new game. FYI, he was ejected 7 times last year and is on "double secret probation" by the association and his school board. Most umpires have blocked him from their schedules. Remember, I'm the rookie.

My first year doing high school baseball. I have a head coach that has quit a reputation for being jerk. I'm working the plate. Top of 7, bases loaded with two outs. Routine ground ball to SS, B2 makes contact with SS and the ball rolls through his legs. I call "time, that interference!" Head coach comes up and says some stupid stuff about the runner has the right to go directly to the base, I guess he thinks I'm stupid. I let him have his time and then tell him we are done. He then proceeds to walk onto the field and continue his argument with my partner wanting to know why he didn't make the call from 20' away. I cut the guy off, ordered him off the field and confined him to the dugout (I know, most of you guys hate the timeout in the dugout, but that's how we are told to handle it). It was the right call, however I did talk to my partner after the game and asked him if he saw the interference. He did not. My question; who has the primary coverage with bases loaded? I think it was his primary coverage, but he did not open up to the ball and never saw the contact. Games worked: 27

Maven, you are correct, looked right over that! Thanks

I keep hearing on MLB network that one of the rule changes, "the batter must keep one foot in the box" for speeding up play has many players upset. What I don't understand, I thought this was already a rule? 6.02 (d) (1) per a four-year old rule book. "The batter shall keep one foot in the batter's box throughout the batter time at bat, unless one of the following exceptions applies, in which......." With the exception list (i) - (vii). So is this a point of emphasis, or a new rule? I heard Ortiz go off yesterday in reference to this "new rule", he may have to change his pre-pitch routine.

Just purchased it, thanks again.

Grayhawk, can I find that on You Tube or do I need to buy the video?

Maven: Thank you for taking the time to teach, much appreciated!

Thanks for the response, I stand corrected.

Rich: You can't make an assumption, just because this is my first year. Over 50, and yes sir, that is what I was taught.

Simulating a motion towards home. What may be a possible issue, FED defines the set position, "From the set position, the pitcher shall have the ball in either his gloved hand or his pitching hand. His pitching hand .................." Most guys would consider the set position as when he bring the ball hand and glove together and comes "set". From my definition, I just don't see how its possible to move my leg towards first without going towards home first? We were split down the middle, I don't mind being wrong, but a jump pivot and a jab step were the only two moves I was taught as being legal when playing, other than stepping off with the pivot foot.

Gentlemen, first year umpire at the high school level. We had a very spirited discussion at our association meeting last night. Question: Right-handed pitcher in the stretch, pitcher comes set, with his no movement in the right foot, steps with his left foot towards first. Simply said, pivots and throws to first. At least half the guys said this is legal, I do not agree! Can I have your opinion and thoughts with some rule language. I think this a easy balk call, but we couldn't agree as an association? FED rules. Thank You

I have read the "less than half way", but the runner was 10' or so from the bag and still standing. He actually stepped on second base standing up. VA, I don't see the veer off or peel off in the rule you quoted. I think there in lies the confusion, some guys might see that as nothing and some guys call int. and get the double play.

I have seen this called differently depending on the day and the umpire. Fed rule set. R1 and less than 2 outs. Ground ball hit to F4, F4 to F6, runner does not slide and continues toward base up and directly at F6. F6 alters throw and overthrows 1B. F6 obviously altered his throw to go over the head of the retired runner. When the player asked the umpire if it was interference, he stated if he would have thrown it into his chest, then he could call interference. I am under the belief that the runner must legally slide of peel off into the outfield in order to avoid being called for interference. I wouldn't think encouraging the SS to throw at the runner is the best answer at JV level, pro ball........sure. I'm not sure if I'm right or wrong, but could you please include rule or case to support answer. Thank you!

The play I had, they were not compressing on the bag. It seemed like a intentional play to get the runner at first to break (which worked). I should have balked it. I won't make that mistake again. Just to be sure, you guys are saying one step away or moving to the bag.

OBR. Runners at first and third with no outs. Pitcher picks to third baseman standing some 10-15 feet from the base. Runner at first takes off and gets thrown out at second. Coach comes out to discuss play and states the third baseman was not in close enough area to make a play on the lead runner and wants me to rule throwing to an unoccupied base. I stayed with my call. Today, I'm not sure about the call. Did I screw this up?

Great dealing with Grayhawk, product just as described and shipped very quickly.

Jax, sorry at work today. I could post a picture tonight. From the hard plastic to lining at the bottom, there is a distance of about 2 inches. With the plate shoes, there is an inch or two from the top to where the instep plate begins. The picture posted will help, I have the exact same setup. Thank you!

Recently purchased some shin guards, very pleased with the purchase. I just need some advise on how to wear/adjust them. With my NB plate shoes, they tend to wear a little high, leaving a gap in protection. I actually tried loosening my shoe laces and putting the flaps inside my shoes, kind of worked until I had to move. Tried pushing them down onto instep plate of shoes, then the flaps don't lay flat. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Grayhawk, thanks for the clarification. I should have read your OP better. Thank you for not being arrogant with your response as some others seem to take great pleasure in doing so.

I am looking for the rule reference, I seem to remember that: A "Balk" under OBR is always a delayed dead ball. Enforce the balk unless the batter reaches base by a hit, BB, HBP. So, I would have thought you would place runners at 1st and 2nd, thus ignoring the balk. I know FED is immediately dead. Enforce the balk. No pitch. I hate disagreeing with you guys, but I'm willing to be wrong in a effort to learn.

Yes, If F6 is not settled under the ball that has drifted 10' from third base and you don't call IFF and the ball is not caught. We have a potential double play at third and second because runners are holding tight. If you call the IFF, then runners holding. So, yes, I'm saying that is why this rule was put place, to protect the runners. Jax, you're right "ordinary effort". Effort and execution have completely different meanings. It's not worth splitting hairs over, thank you for all your comments.

Calling this too late could put the runners in jeopardy, which is the intent of the rule. I always thought that reasonable effort had more to do with a sawed-off flare that an infielder would have little or no chance of catching it. Never really thought of weather conditions to play a part in "reasonable effort". Agree it is more difficult to catch a towering IFF on a windy day. Just doesn't seem to be relevant in protecting runners, IMHO.