rampro

Going through case plays from Wendelstedt and found this one. I would have missed (a) but would have got (b). R2 (a) one out (b) two outs. The batter hits a ball to right, scoring R2. The BR misses first base and is thrown out at second. The defense then throws the ball to first base to appeal the BR missing it. Ruling: In (a) the appeal will not be allowed. In (b) the BR is out for the apparent fourth out before first base and no run scores.

By rule, but not in practice, outs belong to the official scorer, at least in obr. Rule 9.03 (old numbering) The umpire in chief shall stand behind the catcher. His duties are 3. Call and count balls and strikes. Official scorer general rules: Rule 10.1 (b) (3) If the teams change sides before three men are put out, the official scorer shall immediately inform the umpire-chief of the mistake.

In reading J/R a missed base appeal of 1st (rounded), second or third can only occur if action is relaxed and the missed base is tagged or the runner is tagged on another base. If a runner is tagged out off the base, it is a play, but NOT an appeal. There is then a case play where a runner misses second base and f4 receives a throw, steps on second and appeals a step before the runner scrambles back to the bag. According to J/R because the action is unrelaxed, therefore the runner is safe unless tagged off the bag. However, according to Wendelstadt, except for home plate, a runner immediately attempting to return to correct a violation may be called out on appeal if he or the base is tagged. There is then a reference play in which a runner misses third, falls down and scrambles to get back. A throw is made to third and the bag is tagged as the runner attempts to return. According to Wendelstatdt, the runner is out. Am I missing something or are these two interpretations in conflict?

OBR Rule 3.03 Comment ANY player other than a pitcher substituted for an injured player shall be allowed five warm up throws. Not certain the rule applies in this situation since the third baseman is not a sub but is merely switching positions but close enough for me.

This has puzzled me for a long time so, I thought I would throw this out for discussion. According to Jaksas/Roder it is a play if there is a: 1. Tag or tag try of a runner 2. Tag of tag try of a base 3. Throw to another fielder in a try to put out a runner 4. A rundown 5. Balk I always thought that including a rundown on this list was redundant. If a runner is caught between bases, there most likely will be one or more tag attempts and/or one or more throws to retire him. So if each tag attempt or throw is a play, in and by itself, why include a rundown at all? The only explanation that makes sense, to me at least, is that since the defense is not trying to retire multiple runners, but playing on only one runner, then multiple tag attempts or throws on one runner is to be considered a single play. Consider this situation: R2 and batter hits a ground ball between 2nd and 3rd base. R2 thinks the ball will get through and takes off for 3rd. F6 makes a great stop and throws to F5 to get the out but R2 sees F5 with the ball and starts backpedalling F5 chases him back toward 2nd and then throws to F4. F4 chases R2 and then airmails the ball out of play. At the TOT the batter runner had already acquired 1st. So now for the base awards. R2 goes home, no question. Now, if you believe that each tag attempt or throw is a play then batter runner is awarded 2 bases, TOT so he goes to 3rd. If, however, a rundown is considered “a play†(singular) then the batter runnerin this situation is awarded 2 bases TOP he goes to 2nd. I am not arguing for either interpretation. I only bring this up because I truly do not know which one is correct. I believe if forced to make a call, I would probably award the batter runner 3rd, but only because it feels right. So what say you all?

After checking my copy of the MLBUM, I have to agree with Rich, no exceptions. Even on an uncaught 3rd strike, if backswing hits the catcher, the ball is dead and the batter is out.

After 40 years of teaching high school freshmen, I retired 3 years ago. I continue to coach football, which starts as soon as school is out, as well as umpire so my summers are very busy. My wife doesn't understand why I continue to coach and to umpire after hearing me complain about the behavior of kids for so long. I tell her it's amazing how well kids will behave when you're the one who decides how long they're going to run or if they have to leave the game because of their behavior.

Ump JM, You may be interested in this explanation. Bear in mind that the process of making new rules interpretations in the Major and Minor Leagues can be very involved; oftentimes many opinions must be considered. Be that as it may, the words and interpretations herein printed in italics are not to be considered those officially used on the fields of professional baseball. However, they may very well help you to understand a concept or to decide how to rule on a play that is not specifically addressed anywhere else.

Ump JM The exception is in black italic. The J/R edition I have is a 2008 edition. Also, I am rethinking my statement that it is a limitation and not an award because the ball is dead on the interference and once that happens, an offensive player can only advance because of an award resulting from live ball action.

From Jaksas/Roder Page 96 Backswing Exception: If the backswing hits the catcher after a ball has been batted and the catcher is prevented from making a play, it is treated as regular interference; the batter runner is out and other runners return to their TOP bases. Also, backswing interference may occur after a wild pitch (ball is far removed from the catcher, who has no play); the ball is dead and runners are allowed only one base. It appears to be more of a limitation rather than an outright award. (according to J/R).