Mad Mike

I agree with everything said so far. I have a question for Richard though. If I read the OP correctly, it states, "Runner on 1st only - Pitcher set position. Pitcher begins wind up and runner takes off to steal second base. Pitcher turns and throws to player covering 2nd base to tag runner on the steal." If the pitcher has begun his pitching motion from the set, unless he is swinging the non-pivot foot back towards second, if he has his motion starting towards home, he is going to balk if he changes his delivery motion from what it has been all game and hesitates and goes to second base.

@Maven What will you do with backswing interference in OBR? Strike only. Return runners?

Geez, a little harsh Bam, even for Jax......need coffee or something a little stronger?

Runner on first, fly ball to deep left-center field. Runner does not think ball will be caught, heads towards second. Great catch made. Runner returns to first. Center fielder airmails ball into the dugout. Dead ball. We place runner on third. Coach comes out to argue and says, "He was going back to first, he gets that base, plus one." I am trying to keep a straight face, but it is pretty hard. He asks me what is so funny. In order to keep from laughing, I explain to him all base awards on a thrown ball are 2 bases. He says, "Yeah, he gets first and second." I tell him, "Coach, he already legally occupied first. The award is from TOT because he it was an outfielder that threw it out of play." He looks at me in utter disbelief, shakes his head and walks away. I wish I had some twilight zone music that could play in the background right now.

I would file a police report and request they investigate it to determine if charges are appropriate. If nothing else, with this chap having to speak to the cops will put him on notice that you and the next umpire crew are serious about safety, sportsmanship, and crossing the line into criminal behavior. Word will get around too. You can then take a copy of the report and send it to the appropriate persons that can take administrative action against this coach.

Thanks. I don't see that reference in the current 2014 edition. I did see a PBUC Official Interpretation, 43-30, (on page 34) that states: "A play or attempted play...shall be interpreted as a legitimate effort be a defensive player who has possession of the ball to actually retire a runner. This may include an actual attempt to tag a runner, a fielder running toward a base with the ball in an attempt to force or tag a runner, or actually throwing to another defensive player in an attempt to retire a runner. A fake or a feint to throw shall not be deemed a play or an attempted play. (The fact that the runner is not out is not relevant) (6.1)

@Jimurray - where in the BRD are you seeing this? I would like to look it up.

Good catch Maven. Yes, the count was 3-2 on Machado. He swung and nailed Lucroy with backswing interference. The particular rule 6.06 © provides that if the batter's backswing contacts the catcher, it is a strike only and not interference. The ball is dead, runners return to bases occupied at TOP. (See Comment #3) 6.06 A batter is out for illegal action when -- © He interferes with the catchers fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batters box or making any other movement that hinders the catchers play at home base. EXCEPTION: Batter is not out if any runner attempting to advance is put out, or if runner trying to score is called out for batters interference. Rule 6.06© Comment: If the batter interferes with the catcher, the plate umpire shall call interference. The batter is out and the ball dead. No player may advance on such interference (offensive interference) and all runners must return to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference. If, however, the catcher makes a play and the runner attempting to advance is put out, it is to be assumed there was no actual interference and that runner is outnot the batter. Any other runners on the base at the time may advance as the ruling is that there is no actual interference if a runner is retired. In that case play proceeds just as if no violation had been called. If a batter strikes at a ball and misses and swings so hard he carries the bat all the way around and, in the umpires judgment, unintentionally hits the catcher or the ball in back of him on the backswing before the catcher has securely held the ball, it shall be called a strike only (not interference). The ball will be dead, however, and no runner shall advance on the play. PBUC OFFICIAL INTERPRETATION 287-283: Following interference by a backswing, after a third strike, the ball is dead and the batter is out. (7.13)

I just read through the OBR and could not find any prohibitions against it. Scrounge nailed it in Post #3 for all the relevant conditions that would prevent the runner from re-touching. I did find one other limiting condition in Section 510, an official interpretation from Wendlestedt 512-510: No runner is allowed to return to correct a baserunning infraction after the third out has been made. He may physically return. However, if he is appealed, he should be called out. No run would score. Until the defense appeals, the run still stands. Also, one of the particular items Scrounge mentions an interpetation from the MLBUM: A runner may not return to touch a base or the plate after he has entered the dugout. (5.3)

I am pretty sure I read the Jim Evans school is 5 weeks in length. How much does going to a school cost?

Does the level of play dictate whether you would call that in say high school varsity or legion vs. say JV or Babe Ruth ball? I could call that all day long, but it seems like grabbing the wrong end of the stick. How do some of you guys see it?

RULES ON BATTING GLOVE USE (Taken from the BRD): FED-The pitcher may not wear sweatbands on his wrists or an exposed batting glove (not even a nondescript, gray batting glove) under his fielder's glove, if--in the judgment of the umpire--such items are distracting to the batter. (1.4.2, 2009 ed; NFHS Website 2004, #9) NCAA-The pitcher may not wear "another" glove under his fielding glove. (9.2h) OBR: Point not covered OFFICIAL INTERPRETATION 208-194: PBUC: Treat as NCAA. So, since Babe Ruth uses OBR, then you would not allow the pitcher to wear a batting glove under his regular glove/mitt.

Don't initially agree to go along with crazy mechanics as described in Game 1. Let your assigner know about this guys lack of willingness to use proper mechanics and his questionable judgment.

It was the first pitch to the batter. The guy was screaming it never hit the bat. I need to find out where he got his hearing aid to "not" hear it hit the bat from 90 feet away.

Question applicable to this thread: OBR SIT: Batter squares to bunt, pitch comes in fast, high and inside, batter does not move bat. (I would have judged batter still offered) However, ball hits bat, fouls off into kids face. I call a dead ball strike. Coach is ticked off. I end up tossing him for language, plus he kicks dirt on my partner trying to play rodeo clown..... What is the best OBR rule reference for this situation?

Exactly, I don't think they really "think it through" at times. I had a runner slide into home legally. The catcher was standing right in front of the plate. The throw was not even close to being fielded by the catcher as it was just hitting the cutoff man. As you can imagine, the catcher gets contacted on the slide and wiped out. Coach complains, "Why is he (runner) allowed to take my catcher out?". I explain to him him that his catcher was not in the immediate act of fielding the ball, the slide was legal, and the catcher should not have been standing in front of the plate where he would get wiped out. He looks down at the plate, turns and walks away without so much as a whisper. Kind of a priceless reaction.....

HTBT on the elbow being thrown at the glove, but as for the comment "that's on you", they are showing you up. Since F9 was already warned, that was a good ejection. If you let it go, what is he going to say next? Why would you want to wait for the next comment or action F9 might take? Dump him. The players need to learn to keep their mouth shut (especially when warned to do so) and stop blaming us and just play the game.

2014 BRD, Section 307 INTERFERENCE BY:CATCHER: CREATES BALK DURING: SQUEEZE OR STEAL OF HOME. (Keep in mind NFHS butcher's the terms catcher's obstruction vs. catcher's interference. The change in terminology is yet another one of the FED's dismal ideas as we discuss this OP.) FED: Whenever the catcher or any other defensive player obstructs the batter, if the penalty is not ignored, the batter is awarded first, and runners advancing on the pitch or forced also receive one base. (Added) Runners who are moving on the pitch keep their advance bases if the catcher's obstruction penalty is enforced. (8-1-1e, 8-1-1e-1; 8.1.1L; 8.3.1 b and c) Play 165-307: FED Only: R3, R2. R3 breaks from third on an attempted suicide squeeze play. As B1 attempts to bunt, F2 touches the tip of the bat or steps across home plate, catches the ball, and tags out R3. R2 remained on second. RULING: Catcher obstruction. The umpire awards B1 first base and R3 home. Since R2 was not attempting to steal nor was he forced, he remains on second. (Adapted from FED casebook 8.3.1b) (Added) Note 292: In NCAA/OBR since it was a squeeze, the umpire will call a balk as well as catcher interference: R3 scores, B1 goes to first, R2 is awarded third. NCAA: When any defensive player interferes with the batter during a squeeze or steal of home, the pitcher is charged with a balk and the catcher with interference. The runner scores, the batter is awarded first, and all other runners advance one base. (8-2e-2 Ex; 8-3p PEN) (Added) During catcher interference: Concerning the disposition of a runner attempting to steal an occupied base: no provision. Treat as in OBR. OBR: Same as NCAA (6.08c CMT 5) Wendlestedt weighs in with several interpretations: OFF INTERP 314-307: If the penalty for catcher's interference is enforced, runners who were attempting a legitimate steal on the play will be awarded the base they were attempting to take. A "legitimate steal" attempt does not include a play situation where one runner is attempting to steal a base already occupied by another runner if that other runner is not attempting to steal as well. ******* So, as to your first question, should I say, "Time, that's a balk."? If this is FED, this is treated as "catcher's obstruction". This would be a delayed dead ball, so you would not kill it immediately and you would announce, "That's obstruction". If it is NCAA or OBR, you would say "That's a balk" and let any initial play take place before killing it and making awards. As to your second question, should R3 be awarded home and the batter first? Since you have the catcher stepping across home plate to grab the pitch you would make the awards as Play 166-307: R3, R2. OBR. On the pitch R2 breaks for third, stealing an occupied base. The catcher interferes with B1's swing, and the batter fouls off the pitch. RULING: R3 scores, B1 goes to first. R2 remains at second: It was not a legitimate steal attempt. OFF INTERP 315-307: In one instance only, with a runner on third base attempting to steal home plate and a runner on second who remains at second base, if the batter is interfered with in his attempt to hit the pitch, the runner from second will also be awarded on base on a balk. [7.07] Catcher obstruction with a batter's swing has a much different penalty than catcher obstruction of the batter/runner. As stated before the terminology stinks. However, there is a good definition in BRD Section 308 on Catcher Interference that will answer your last question about whether interference takes place if the batter "gives up". Section 308: INTERFERENCE BY: CATCHER: DEFINITION FED: Catcher obstruction (called "interference" in NCAA/OBR) occurs where the catcher: 1) touches the batter's bat, 2) pushes the batter to reach the pitch, 3) steps on or across home plate to reach the pitch (8-3-1c). NCAA: Same as FED 8-3-1c. (8-2) EXCEPT: Pushing the batter or stepping on/across the plate is listed as an infraction only on a steal/squeeze play at home. (8-3p). OBR: Same as NCAA (7.07) Thanks for asking this question. It really made me get into the BRD! Do you guys agree that in this case, it is still interference if the catcher steps across the plate to grab the pitch, even if the batter "gives up" and/or does not swing the bat?

BRD Section 25 addresses this for OBR: PBUC: If a batted ball inadvertently goes into a player's or coach's uniform, the ball is dead. "The umpire will, using common sense and fair play, place all runners in such a manner that will nullify the action of the ball going out of play. ANY OUTS RECORDED PRIOR TO THE BALL GOING INTO THE PLAYER'S OR COACH'S uniform (or lodging in the catcher's face mask or paraphernalia) will stand. They go on to note 9/21/12 at Yankee Stadium, Ichiro Suzuki slapped a hard bouncer to the Oakland Pitcher, Jarrod Parker. Suzuki sped to first. HP Umpire Dan Bellino threw up both hands and called "Time". Paker struggled to retrieve the ball from his jersey. Simple ruling: Ichiro stops at first. The Note asks a question: But what if there was a runner on third base and he had been getting a large secondary lead? (BRD did not answer this point.)

Quick question: Cal Ripken game. Using modified OBR. Teenage umpire ejects a coach just after game is over, while walking off field, coach verbally attacks umpire. Tells him he is the worst umpire ever. Is this ejection legal? I can't find anything in Rule 9.0.

haha....I need some coffee this morning then!

Here is an interesting story from 2011 (edited!): Home plate umpire Paul Schrieber tossed Russell Martin from last night’s game in the fifth inning because he made a joke following back-to-back walks by Phil Hughes. Or at least Martin claims his comments were a joke,telling reporters afterward that he asked “did you stretch before the game tonight?†and then added “I feel like you’re kind of tight tonight.†Given the situation it’s not hard to see how Schrieber may have missed the humor, especially since Martin admitted afterward that he was being critical of the strike zone, but throwing him from the game seems like overkill. Or as Martin put it afterward: Schrieber declined to comment because umpires rarely speak to the media, so we may never know his version of the story. What, we can’t talk anymore? It’s a game, man, we’re supposed to be having fun. I was just trying to get him to laugh. I didn’t say he sucked. I didn’t say he was the worst umpire in the league. I didn’t cuss at him. I didn’t say any of that stuff. And I got thrown out. That’s tough to do. Here is the link: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/27/umpire-ejected-russell-martin-for-making-a-joke-last-night/ So, has anybody ejected a player for supposedly telling a "joke" during a game?

I came across this article that referenced thrown player equipment. Looks like Beltre was throwing in the towel and showed some frustration as his team was getting routed last night. Has anybody ever had this happen to them in a game? Adrian Beltre was lined up right for Carlos Gonzalez, well off the third-base line, but CarGo sliced the ball perfectly down the line for an easy RBI. Beltre responded as any frustrated athlete or seven-year-old would do, and chucked his glove as hard as he could. On the one hand, Beltre is lucky he didn't make contact, because hitting a ball with a thrown glove is an automatic triple and would've scored the runner from first -- per Rule 7.05 ©: Three bases, if a fielder deliberately throws his glove at and touches a fair ball. The ball is in play and the batter may advance to home base at his peril.

I had an experience a few years back where a dad didn't like a foul call I made on his kid just as the half-time buzzer sounded. I was walking back to the scorers table in the half-court circle boundary when he grabbed my arm, spun me around and stuck his finger in my chest stating, "I'm gonna kick your f#$*en ass!". Suffice to say, I backed up and got away from him before he could complete his threat. I called the police and signed the citation on him for battery. The prosecutor eventually agreed to drop the charge on him for some unknown reason to this day (maybe he offerred to take an anger management class). However, I did learn it cost the guy $1000.00 for his legal retainer. So, at least from that stand point it cost the guy some cash. I have seen him at other events as his kids have continued to play sports. While he is still loud and obnoxious, he has never set foot on the court again or physically accosted officials to date! So, yes, officials should press charges. If nothing else, these idiots have to fork over money to an attorney to defend themselves and the best way to change behavior stems from the pocketbook.

I agree....put the post back up there. I am sure we can/will learn from it. We have all made mistakes during our umpiring days and that will never change. Thanks for taking the plunge and posting!