Concernedcitizen2

I understand (I think) the rules on fan interference on fly balls, but in this situation, a fan is touching the player during a live ball situation, you can see it at 0:44. In this situation it doesn't really affect his play, but is that a reason not to call fan interference? Should contact alone be considered interference? What would the penalty be if the fan grabs his arm on purpose so he can't throw? http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=30308627&topic_id=47076722

But according to a strict interpretation of the rules, wouldn't that be correct? He can't legally occupy third base because R3 hasn't advanced? Sorry if it sounds like I'm trying to troll but this seems like a mistake with the rules

So in a rundown if the second runner had been standing on third, he could be legally tagged out because the runner between 3rd and home still occupied that base? So in that situation isn't it smarter for a defensive team to throw to 3rd tag out the runner standing there and then go back to the runner caught up between third and home? I might be misinterpreting this rule...

Is the 1B ump slow in rotating on this as well? It seems like if the throw had been on line he would have been completely out of position to make the call here.

For the people that are being called up mid-season, is it because other umpires are resigning cause they don't like the minor league umpire lifestyle or is it they are getting fired?

People in the comments are saying that the umpire was out of position and was too quick with the ejections, what are your thoughts? Did he do the right thing? Go with the ball then wait to see if the play was coming to third or home and then came home essentially 1BLX. Was he too quick with the trigger? Every level (through NCAA) I've played at, post-game ejections were considered acceptable, what do you guys think?

n00b question, what is the CPI?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/erikmalinowski/the-toughest-and-most-unlucky-umpire-in-major-league-basebal

At 0:19 you see the U2 running over to make the call at 3rd. There is presumably a runner on his way to 2nd and the batter-runner is on his way to first, so does U1 rotate over to get 2nd? And then would PU go to cover first leaving home open when a bad throw would allow the runner going to third to come home? http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=29825697

That would be a tough one to hear, I would think the bat/dirt would kind of blend into one noise...

I understand that you can't appeal on a check swing called for a strike, just not sure what the logic behind it. I thought maybe because of the following scenario: if it's 2 outs, bases loaded and check swing called strike 3, the defense starts to run off the field, ball rolled back to the mound, if the batter asks for an appeal and base umpire signals safe, the runner would have an easy time scoring with the defense assuming the inning is over. BUT, I can think of a similar situation with a no swing changed to a swing on appeal. What if runner on first, 1 out, full count. Check swing, called ball four by the plate umpire, runner starts jogging to second. Umpire appeals and batter is ruled to have swung strike three on appeal, now with the runner jogging, he is stuck between 1st and 2nd for an easy out in a run down no? In both these cases it seems like a team is hurt because of the appeal, so why only have it to change from no swing to swing if it is generally acknowledged the base umpires have a better view.

I never saw it until about 5 years ago, but ever since then I would say maybe 1/4 of two-piece mask wearing catchers wear the hat part forwards

Thanks so much for all the help guys, I'll post a lengthier response when I have time later today

Oh, well what if he never leaves the circle just stands there and argues, defense is throwing the ball around and the manager goes out there and argues? Also what's the mechanic for arguing during a live ball situation as an umpire? Do you just not respond to the player?

It seems this umpire has been in a lot of controversial calls lately Ump rules strike three, gives no out sign because of dropped third strike, catcher is about to throw the ball to F5 to "throw it around the horn" as Terry Francona is coming out to argue the catcher realizes he never tagged him and slyly comes in and tags him (at the 0:14 mark), the umpire calls "he's out." Obviously in a normal situation if the catcher just throws it around and the batter walks back to the dugout he is out when he enters the dugout. But what happens if the catcher's throwing the ball around and Francona is out there arguing with the umpire? Would the umpire call time and call the batter out for the manager coming out during a live ball situation? http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=29668735

Whoever has to pee. I never realized until now how an umpire pretty much has to go most of the game without peeing. And if it's an old stadium like Wrigley where they have to walk through the dugout to get to the dressing room, it could be hazardous after a blown call

Huh surprised at the lack of calling games early, I went to a school with a very weak program, so maybe we weren't getting the best umps around, but when I played Legion ball and we were in the area with arguably one of the better high school programs in the Midwest and I still remember them announcing before an inning that it would be the last because of darkness. I also seem to remember when I played in college (Div III) having an umpire announce before an inning or half-inning that it would be the last of the game. I guess if the inning goes very quick, it's probably too dark at that point to start an inning anyways. If it goes too long you can call the game at that point because of darkness since it will be suspended anyways. Probably better to start a suspended game with a fresh inning, but it could still be started mid-inning right?

I saw a similar in "The Umpire School" section, but I'm thinking to attend the Harry Wendlestadt school, so thought I'd post it here. Although I guess these could probably apply to both schools. So my questions: How important is it to have the gear ahead of time? I know the schools say they can sell you gear when you get there, but I can see it being a hassle on Day 1, trying on different shirts/pants/shoes etc. This is the quote from HWS though in response to an email I sent them. Successful students would have the gear already though right? "We provide all of the essential umpire equipment for your time at school, except for personal equipment like shoes, belt, and jock and cup. You do not need any uniforms or other equipment in order to attend, and can purchase it at a discounted price through an on-campus supplier if you'd like." How important is size for successful students? I know there is a need to have good field presence, but how much does that matter on size/physical fitness. Obviously a lot of the MLB umps are overweight/sporting bigger bellys, so how important is that for students? I'm 5'7" and 160 pounds. Is it necessary to put on some more muscle before attending school? How are the rules tests conducted? Is it necessary to be able to cite the rule number (2.2.A) for a rules application or is it sufficient to be able to say what happens in that situation? For example, do I need to cite the rule number for obstruction or is it okay to know which type of obstruction is which and be describe what happens? For those selected to go to tryouts, what do the tryouts consist of? Simulated games? Local high school games? Rules tests? Cage work?

I searched for an Umpire Equipment FAQ, but didn't see one, so thought I would make this post. Mods feel free to take this down, if it turns out there is already a similar thread. What exactly does an umpire need? And is there a general consensus on what the best gear is? It seems like there was some talk that different replacement pads on the certain masks are better than the ones that come with it? From what I can think of, this is what a new umpire would need: Shoes (Plate shoes and base shoes) Pants (Plate pants and base pants) Hat (Usually from the association? Plate hat and base hat?) Black or dark blue mock turtlenecks (Probably 3 or 4) Mask (Either traditional or hockey style) Cup/Jock Indicator (I know there is some conversation about whether or not that's actually necessary) Ball bags Chest Protector What are standard socks? I assume you need high ones? Are black baseball socks acceptable? So how do you go about choosing the equipment? I am living overseas so would have to have everything shipped and wouldn't be able to try it on ahead of time.

This was in 2007, not sure if that's "many many years ago" haha If it makes a difference, this was Illinois, not sure if the IHSA has a rule separate from FED rules about helmets and player safety. I thought that was actually fairly standard to rule before a full inning starts that it will be the last inning because darkness is coming. Teams might approach the game differently knowing it's the last inning. Calling it after the top of the inning seems like it could cause problems. As far as the PIA thing goes, he didn't call it on the field because he was a PIA, he thought he had the right call, went home and checked the rulebook and saw he got it wrong, but in the friendly conversation we were having, joked that because the coach was a PIA, it was okay to boot it

After R3 touched home without his helmet on, R2 touched 3rd and then just ran into a celebration in front of the plate with the rest of the team as they thought the game was over. The out wasn't ruled until after the play was well over.

This is from the late 90s but at 0:20, a plane flies over Wrigley after Trachsel delivers, and the umpire seems to call no pitch because the hitter got distracted

This happened about 6 years ago when I was in high school. I'm catching. 2nd game of a doubleheader at our field but for the 2nd game we're considered the visiting team. Umpire rules before the 10th inning that it will be the last inning because of darkness. Tie game, bottom 10, the "home" team loads the bases with nobody out. Pitcher gives up a long fly ball over the centerfielder's head. He doesn't bother going after it and just starts jogging into the dugout. Runner from third jogs in and right when he gets to the home plate dirt cut out about 15 feet short of the plate takes off his helmet and throws it in the air in celebration then steps on home. I don't think to say anything, my coach comes over to the umpire and calmly says, "shouldn't he be out for removing his helmet while the ball is in play?" I get excited and yell "he's out" after the umpire tells me to calm down and he talks it over with the BU and they rule the runner out for taking off his helmet, rule that all the other runners advance one base, so it is one out and bases loaded. Our pitcher gets out of it and the game is ruled a suspended tie because of darkness to be continued at a later date if it makes a difference in the standings. The "home" team coach was very angry yelling about how it was a dirty move by my coach to bring it to the umps attention. About two months later at a legion tournament (I was the only kid on the legion team from my high school) I notice the same ump is working the bases. After the game in the parking lot, I go up to him and ask him if he remembers the play. He says he does, and that he went home and checked the rules after, it turns out he technically should have issued a warning to the runner and let the play stand so that the run counted and the game ended. He then joked that the "home" team's coach is always a pain in the --- so it worked out okay. We both laugh it over and talk about some other baseball stuff. So what do you guys think the ruling should be. Player intentionally removes helmet during a live play but the defense has essentially conceded the game. How would the placement of the runners happen? Was the ump right the first time, the second time (in the parking lot) or never?

I assume the application of the rules would be the same if this were in the States with OBR too but thought I'd check. Watching a pro game in Japan, first baseman holding a runner on at first, sharp ground ball down the first base line, first baseman dives and misses the ball is headed for a sure single, probable double and possible triple, ball hits off of the umpire takes a 90 degree turn and goes directly to the second baseman who throws it to first for the out. I assume because the defense had a chance to make a play on the ball, the umpire is ruled part of the field and the play stands as an out, right? I think I've usually only seen it hit the umpire after an attempt by the defense where it changes the direction of the ball but doesn't produce an out that normally wouldn't have happened.

Sorry, double post