ricka56

With respect to the quality of throw criteria, it seems that NCAA and OBR/MLB are the same (though the coding may not be). I can't remember not having a "discussion" with a coach when I've made this call (and sometimes when I have nothing). In OBR the phrase that keeps the umpire out of trouble is: "a throw that has a chance to retire the runner". Is there a concise phrase that an NCAA umpire can use to keep out of trouble ?

That is one way to look at it, but not the only way. Another way to look at it is when a team is on offense, they have B1, B2...B9. With the F1 and F2 of record allowed to have a CR. If the Fed looked at it this way, they could have kept this speed up rule with the new DH rule. But from what I have read, that is not the way the Fed wants it...for now. I'm OK with that ... just want to know the current rule.

Does anyone know whether this DH rule change impacts the courtesy runner speed-up rule ? Is a courtesy runner allowed for F1/DH or F2/DH ?

Has anyone seen the new DH rule written in the 2020 RB. If so, could you post the text of the DH rule change/addition. Thanks in advance.

Just because a rule isn't always applied/not applied properly, doesn't mean that it needs to be changed/eliminated. The rule gives parameters to use, when judging interference...otherwise interference calls would be completely arbitrary. The rule is perfectly fine as is. Runners can run to 1B illegally without penalty all game long...but if you do, and something like that happens, you get what you get. Quit whining. Ballzy call

3-3-1n. initiate malicious contact on offense or defense; In (n), ... if on offense, the player is ejected and declared out, unless he has already scored. It is always hazardous to port one rule to cover an unrelated play. That said, I'd agree, but not admit that I used the MC exception. In the OP side note, it says that R3 did a much safer thing, diving over F2, rather than collide full speed with F2. You have to give R3 consideration for avoiding the contact/collision...doesn't merit a stiffer penalty. Of course, that consideration is moot if there is an actual rule to apply. But in this case, none seem to apply.

There is an old humorous umpire saying that has no real validity, but might be apt here. If you need a strike, call a strike. If you need an out, call an out. If you need a run, balk it in.

The runner can not be sent home without jeopardy of being tagged out at home. The umpire might think that the runner's progress was impeded by a step or two. If he is thrown out at HP by 5 steps or more, then the out stands. And there is no returning him to 3B in that scenario. Few coaches don't understand why their obstructed runner can be called out (or act like they don't). It will take all of the umpire(s) game management skills to survive this call. Most likely, though, the game becomes a $#!+show henceforward.

I'm trying to simplify this rule addition. Do I have the above correct: If this is correct, then this shouldn't be much of a brain teaser

I can picture it. So few kids really get baseball. Unless they watch MLB games on TV, there is no way a part time coach can teach the game in two, one hour per week practices.

You are asking a player to do something other than what he would normally be doing and that's inviting trouble. If he turns his wrist to show you the ball and it falls out of his glove, then you have created a problem. Did he have secure possession of the ball (catch/no-catch) ? You'd may give the fielder the benefit of the doubt since it was your request to see the ball that initiated the drop, but it is a debate that you unnecessarily created.

I cite the words in my signature line when I say that any batter "unaware" to the degree that they could not avoid being struck by their own high pop-up deserves to be called out. Fortunately, there is also rule support for not rewarding the dumb$#!+.

78 post on a "Ask the umpire" thread...make that 79. There had to be a train wreck in here somewhere...I had to look. I'm going with what I think would be easiest to sell, an out. Not out takes too much rules gymnastics (over-officating).

Coach: You make that call when we're getting our asses handed to us like this ? Umpire: Sorry about that coach ? Coach: What ? So you're sorry that you made that call ? Umpire: No no, skip, I'm empathizing. My therapist said that I should empathize more and be sarcastic less.

1. For a LHP to throw to 1B, he has to turn/cock his left shoulder to make that throw ... and his foot is within the mythical 45 degrees. Some lefties are better than others at delaying their commitment to HP or 1B . But you can tell by his left shoulder if he's throwing to 1B. I don't touch this move. 2. When LHP intends to deliver a pitch at time-of-pitch (TOP), but then decides late to throw to 1B (often instigated by R1 breaking on first movement), F1 may balk. To be able to make that throw (without falling on his arse), his non-pivot foot clearly steps more toward HP than 1B. I hope to be all over those. That's all I can do with my limited umpire skills. And OHC can pound sand when LHP does (1).