Mad Mike

Interesting article on Mike Trout having an idea to improve umpiring. In a nutshell, Trout suggests minor league umps work the final few innings of spring training games to get in reps and be seen. I don't think the MLB Umpire Union would take too kindly to this, or would they? http://www.espn.com/blog/buster-olney/insider/post/_/id/16376/mike-trout-proposes-umpire-change

I picked up a pretty interesting video clip of a suicide squeeze run by a JC team out of Montana. With a runner on second and third, they execute a suicide squeeze bunt. Both runners score. Pay attention to R2. He intentionally diverts his base path to miss third base, thereby cutting the distance he has to run to home plate. I was informed they have run this against 6 different teams successfully every time without any team catching on. This is a 2 man umpire system used in the video. Since the plate umpire has to rule fair/foul on the bunt, he will not have touches at third and this would leave the base umpire to get touches, correct? Please discuss how you would handle this situation. If anyone has also had this play before, please chime in. Also, as a point of discussion, is there any reason this would not be an appeal play, i.e. could this be considered abandonment of running the bases as it is obviously designed to clearly and intentionally alter the base path to gain an advantage? (I have my opinion(s) on how I would rule on this, but would like to hear from my fellow umpires.) IMG_0305.mov

So, did the Brewers manager get tossed for prolonged arguing, or for "allowing" use of illegal equipment?

Can I just say that why not give props to Greyhound Aggie for posting the situation, instead of bashing him and his partner? We can all learn from each other's mistakes without having some holier than thou attitude, right? Or perhaps you guys have never made a mistake before? In many locations, baseball is starting back up. We all have some rust on us and some have all heck of a lot more rust than others. No need to put guys down. What does that possibly solve? Wait for it.......... Take it easy on folks or nobody's gonna wanna post their "mistakes". Geez....no respect around here!

Can you cite the OBR and/or FED rule for this? I really have never heard of runners being awarded a base if they are hit by a pitched ball.

A coach wanted a balk called yesterday when RHP steps to first with free foot, throws the ball, but does not disengage rubber with his pivot foot. I told him that I have never interpreted this as a balk. So long as the pitcher steps and throws, there is nothing illegal going on here. Now, it may look awkward but that does not make it illegal. Does anybody disagree? Why or why not?

I took this straight out of the MLB Rule Book (page 70): (j) (7.14) Sliding to Bases on Double Play Attempts If a runner does not engage in a bona fide slide, and initiates (or attempts to make) contact with the fielder for the purpose of breaking up a double play, he should be called for interference under this Rule 6.01. A “bona fide slide” for purposes of Rule 6.01 occurs when the runner: (1) begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base; (2) is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot; (3) is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and (4) slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder. A runner who engages in a “bona fide slide” shall not be called for interference under this Rule 6.01, even in cases where the runner makes contact with the fielder as a consequence of a permissible slide. In addition, interference shall not be called where a runner’s contact with the fielder was caused by the fielder being positioned in (or moving into) the runner’s legal pathway to the base. Notwithstanding the above, a slide shall not be a “bona fide slide” if a runner engages in a “roll block,” or intentionally initiates (or attempts to initiate) contact with the fielder by elevating and kicking his leg above the fielder’s knee or throwing his arm or his upper body. If the umpire determines that the runner violated this Rule 6.01(j), the umpire shall declare both the runner and batter-runner out. Note, however, that if the runner has already been put out then the runner on whom the defense was attempting to make a play shall be declared out

Unless your partner was/is willing to learn from these examples, don't work with him/her again. Tell him he can ride a new bus and drive it over somebody else.

So, we have Obstruction called on the third baseman as runner rounds 3B headed to home. Obstructed runner is forced to go back as the throw comes to home from the outfield. My partner awards the runner at third home. Defensive head coach comes out of dugout and says this gem, "But the contact was out of bounds!". Later the next inning, first base coach comes up to me and asks how obstruction can occur with the contact "out of bounds". I ask him to clarify what he means by "out of bounds" and he says, "you know, foul ground." I am trying hard not to laugh at how stupid this sounds and tell him that whether the contact occurs in fair or foul territory is irrelevant--all that is required is that the defense alters the intended path of the runner advancing to a base. He looks at me like a deer in the headlights and walks off. At this point, I couldn't hold it any longer and started laughing. I am pretty sure he was pissed off that I was laughing, but what is a guy to do when something this stupid is brought up by the coaching staff!

Do you agree with the umpire's call in this clip? I have no idea if the rule set they are using is FED, OBR, or something else though.

R1, 1st Base Coach loudly speaks out, "That's a balk," before the pitcher delivers. How should this be handled under FED and OBR rulesets? We told the coach to knock it off and let us make that call. There was no balk to be called. Fortunately, we had no more problems in the game with this coach trying to "help us out." I recall reading somewhere that the offender could be ejected if they were warned and continued, but I can't seem to find the correct references. Any reference(s) would be appreciated.

Last night a kid shows me a batting helmet he fitted with a GoPro camera. He asks me if he can wear it while batting. I tell him no way are you wearing that thing in a game. If it gets hit by the ball and flys off, I am not getting sued over it. Apparently, that possibility never entered his mind.

I attended Tucson and San Diego clinics run by Jim the last two years. It is definitely worth it like KenBAZ noted. You will learn alot in 5 days! I would highly recommend it to you and others that are looking to get better. You will get some rules knowledge, you will also get some mechanics knowledge and positioning that will pay off in a big way.

+1 ^^^ Grayhawk nailed it. You might have just helped the umpire to get this right so there are no future victims to suffer a ruling like this in the future!

Barksdale nailed that call. I love seeing this clips of rotations in action. It is one thing to talk about the rotation, but to see it in practice is awesome. This is a great teachable moment to old and young umpires alike: We have the starting position, the calling position, and the adjusted position. We talked about this alot at the Jim Evans Clinic I attended. It is nice to see it in action. Barksdale did an excellent job of not settling for the calling position. He moved and adjusted his position when he read the throw coming into the base. Thanks Gil!

Is there any possibility that 3B Umpire was making a ruling on interference by the runner and using the safe signal to indicate there was no interference?

Grayhawk, I had a problem with the umpire's positioning in the video. He also appears to be in the throwing lane of the catcher after the tag is made, i.e. the catcher looks like she might throw to third and the umpire is in the way. Where would you have called this from? It appears the throw comes from the left field side of the diamond. I believe 3rd Baseline extended would have been a better choice or Point of the Plate and then you could take a read step(s) as necessary.

Once the pitcher disengages the pitching plate, by stepping back, he is considered an infielder. The award is two bases from the base last legally occupied, which in your example is first. So, place the runner at third. If the pitcher had not disengaged, and thrown over to first, then this would be a one base award.

Sounds like it was handled well. Glad to see the guy was ejected for popping off about knowing the rules. By any chance, was the coaches name Todd?

R1 outs don't matter. OBR rule set. R1 breaks early on the pitch to the batter. R1 arrives at second base at the time the batter fouls off the pitch. Can the runner be allowed to stay at second? Or do we have him return because the base he last occupied at TOP was 1st when the ball was fouled off? I seem to recall reading about this a few years ago, but I can't find the correct reference in the BRD. Any help would be appreciated!!!

Man, that is 3 minutes of my life I won't get back. Sorry, you had to put up with the guy. It really makes you appreciate some "rats" that have a wee bit more rule knowledge that this guy!!!

Many people, some umpires included, harken back to the old "1 + 1" award. It goes like this: The runner was going back towards first on the caught liner, thus, he is awarded first base (the base he was going back to) and then the second part of the equation is the award of second. Some old habits die hard. Like Richvee said, it is amazing how many people still think this way.

Put out an APB on the bat!

Wow, that is quite a list of "accomplishments" from your partner. I can imagine you would want to get out of there. Maybe your partner needs to buy some adult beverages and a few polish dogs? We have all been there before....he must have had other things on his mind. How was your partner in the pre-game? Was he engaged? Sounds like he really mixed rule sets up in several examples given above.