ricka56

Normally I wouldn't go for help on a call to a partner who wasn't properly attired. But I'd make an exception for you.

There are two kinds of appeals in baseball. 1. Appeal plays, such as missed base, missed retouch, batting out of order. Usually no umpire conference occurs. 2. Appeal of an umpire decision. A coach may make an appeal to the umpire making the call to get help on the play, but it is solely up to the calling umpire whether to grant this appeal to get help. Any decision can theoretically be appeal requested (blue, can I ask you to get help on that strike call...ha).

How does F1 disengage from the rubber if he doesn't bend his "back" knee ?

Its half disengage, half jab step (another imaginary 45 degree line ... ha). I think the half jab step trumps the half disengage (balk), but pick one and sell what you've got if you have to. Sometimes, you just have to umpire.

That "inconspicuous" tab on your chest will soon turn into a signal to a coach that you think your partner kicked a call. I don't plan to use this and I hope none of my partners do either. We, as a chapter, are pretty good about going to our partner when appropriate. No "secret" signal required.

It's Umpire 101 knowledge. The people who came down on the no run score side, are not as experienced as you think.

This ^^^^ It is technically a balk, but it is the least "deceptive" balk move F1 can do. At lower levels (the only place you see this stuff), daddy coaches don't know that this is a balk and don't notice that you don't notice (outwardly).

OBR 5.03c is the rule that you're looking for. Base coaches must remain within the coach’s box consistent with this Rule, except that a coach who has a play at his base may leave the coach’s box to signal the player to slide, advance or return to a base if the coach does not interfere with the play in any manner. Other than exchanging equipment, all base coaches shall refrain from physically touching base runners, especially when signs are being given. PENALTY: If a coach has positioned himself closer to home plate than the coach’s box or closer to fair territory than the coach’s box before a batted ball passes the coach, the umpire shall, upon complaint by the opposing manager, strictly enforce the rule. The umpire shall warn the coach and instruct him to return to the box. If the coach does not return to the box he shall be removed from the game.

With that explanation, one's rule application can't be questioned, only their virtual eye sight.

HS F2 obstruction. I will give PU the benefit of the doubt that he thought that F2 was the aggressor and needed to be "moved" away, but I don't think the man-handling would fly in a HS game (dunno if that's acceptable at the NCAA level). I liked that the coaches got in there to separate players (instead of insight them). I have something little here (no ejections), but a stern warning to coaches to keep a lid on this..."lets not turn something little into something big".

Legal: RHP F1 steps with left foot towards 3B, fakes a throw to 3B, then pivots on his left foot (right foot swings towards 3B) and throws to 1B. Illegal: RHP F1 steps with left foot towards 3B, fakes a throw to 3B, then pivots on his right foot (still engaged with the rubber) and throws to 1B. Balk

1. Ignore the first bit of chirping... give him the benefit of the doubt... maybe he's done chirping. 2. Give them the stare (with mask on)...lets them know that you heard them...non-verbal warning. 3. Take mask off and say, "Coach, that's enough!. If you continue to argue B/S, you will be ejected/restricted." 4. Eject/Restrict to the dugout (whichever you previously verbally promised). If restricted, say, "And If you continue to argue B/S, you will be ejected". 5. Eject.

Outlawed in OBR about 6 years ago. Still legal in HS. OBR 6.02(a)(2) :It is a balk when: The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw; Fed 6.2.4(a): any feinting toward the batter or first base,

Hang in there.

Definition of a play is not Umpire 101 stuff, but definitely important for an umpire to know.

Thanks for the clarification. Knowledge like that will come in handy when I reach my life-long aspiration of becoming a baseball scorekeeper.

This kind of stuff used to get my goat. And I have gone rounds with coaches wanting to pull this kiddie ball crap. But it's not worth the aggravation. Now if F3 doesn't the ball back as directed by me, I just call TIME. The defense loses the chance to get anyone out until PU puts it back in play. And I find that the ball is returned to the mound and we are back to baseball sooner with this approach. It's not real baseball, but seldom is a game with these antics real baseball.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minor-league-baseball-fan-idolizes-umpires-instead-of-players/

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/brandon-belt-21-pitch-at-bat-major-league-record-san-francisco-giants/k06k8inmxpwv11tck3akyss6w

But it fits in this case. Knowledge of (communicating) the correct rule application is to the homer's folly.

A runner makes his own path. He is only illegally out of the base path when he deviates more than 3 feet during a tag attempt. A tag attempt can't be made until the fielder has the ball. The previous post shows the runner's position prior to the fielder's ball possession (glove open). The following (IMO) better shows BR's position when F3 has possession and initiates his tag attempt: And the position of BR at the conclusion of the tag attempt. I think that the crew only huddled and changed the call to out without a video review. IMO, if they had a video review, the safe call would have stood. I thought that was a hellova legal tag avoidance.

Not sure what you mean by a modified position (I know of wind-up and set positions) but if its a legal pitching stance, then a legal jump spin pick off move to second isn't a balk.

Actually the rule is 5.06(b)(4)(G) Two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field, a thrown ball goes into the stands, (formerly pitched or batted is not relevant)... But more interesting is that that comment pertained to a scenario where a throw from the outfield goes out of play. There isn't any TOT exception for a throw from the outfield that I am aware of, but then there is the comment statement, If the batter-runner has not reached first base, the award is two bases at the time the pitch was made for all runners. So there is some TOP award exception, other than first play by an infielder, where the position of BR (in relation to 1B) is relevant/applicable. This I don't remember/understand.

No, I don't think so. That 6.05 comment specifically says that all runners get 2 bases TOP when B is a BR. So in your R1 scenario, R1 only gets 3B (2 bases TOP).