jim knight

I am not expecting the runner to vanish... he is out. Continuing to advance is not a problem unless he interferes with a play. I'd say getting hit in the chest is just that. Let me look at it from your angle for a bit... runner standing up going into second base, SS attempts to throw to first to get BR, ball hits runner in chest... Pete, I think you have an out at first as well...

When the runner from first was put out at second he now has to vacate... if the throw hits him you got a double play.

The out at first is not a force but run still does not count... runner did not reach 1st safely. I know it sounds picky but the BR is not forced to first. Same call either way.

I have the Power... not yet for sale.

In the OP it is clear that the batter squared around to bunt and did "push" the bat out to make contact... that is a bunt. The coach's claim that the bat has to be held in place to be a bunt is just wrong. Like the others I have a bunt and no IFF.

Pete... I do not know why you always try to make us believe that TV is the only reason the MLB guys no longer make these calls.

Sure... include me / thanks.

I found this post on "Neighborhood Play / Phantom tag" interesting and have nominated it accordingly for "Post Of The Month March, 2009"

I found this post on "For all you FED Umpires..." interesting and have nominated it accordingly for "Post Of The Month February, 2009"

I would have a safe call in all three situations / I may have an argument as well / I do not have a rule ref for you... I would make same call in softball... I am not sure that I would be right / I am sure you will fill us in.

Relax guys... you could be in Montana with me / yep still have snow and our games really don't get started untill May.

It was nice to log on this morning and have so much to read... most post so far have been pretty good. Welcome.

Yeah... it would be worth a try / thanks.

I very seldom see anyone using the chat tool... maybe we should look for a moderator that could keep some good umpire talk going... just an idea. NO I am not interested in the job.

We have always considered the tarp a ground rule... I did not check but I am confident it won't be a playing rule. It is common not to allow a player to stand on top of the tarp for safty and to protect the tarp from being damaged with the spikes... It is nice to finally agree with Larry. LOL

Good point... Dragon / Try not to draw a line in the sand...

Bringing up your age alone may not be enough... that being said I agree with Warren that if a coach or player is using anything to intimadate... you need to put a stop to it / note: you might be able to stop it without an EJ. Be sure to get a warning in before you run them.

When evaluating I like clear simple partner to partner signals at the right time for the situation... more important is that if a plate guy signals that he is going to third with runner on first... HE GOES / or a time play is properly cummunicated... it is nice to see the plate guy line up the touch... etc, etc... not a big fan of the nod. my .02 cents

Ditto as well...

I am with you with the CI but in the OP it was noted that the out of the box situation came up earlier in the count and the plate guy issued a semi-warning by reminding the batter about his foot / so if you have CI you have to stick with the old "I didnt see the foot" story and sell it / because of the reminder to the batter you can go with the "You are out of the box and out story" either way it will work... I have had simular plays...

Kinda a knotty situation... by rule I have batter out but in real play it would have to be very obvious that the batter was out of box AND to me the act of being out of the box caused the CI... like stepping back / if you call the batter out of box you need to call him out. If in your judgement he may not have been out then you can go with CI... or get ready for the possible protest. These questions are good but I have never had this play be a problem in over 30 years... if I did I sold it one way or the other so well that no one questioned it.

All good posts especialy like Brian's dig at the RATS / maybe could start a whole new discussion about respect for the players and coaches... we'll save that one. Seems like everyone has the same thought... no rule book on field but do have it handy for pre / post game or any unusal situation during game... protests / rain delays... on and on.

I do not work the youth (10 to 15) games... we really dont have much rec baseball / I enjoy the higher caliber of play for many reasons. It is better baseball...

Yep... JM is right on... sorry it was so easy but it was question that came up at a clinic and some of the guys made it harder than it needed to be / like Warren said it gets your brain working.