Senor Azul

To be precise, the PBUC manual no longer exists—it became the Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (not sure when, I think 2015). As the title suggests, the MiLBUM is the minor league version of the MLBUM. The 2014 PBUC says the following in its Foreword: “This publication contains interpretations, clarifications, general instructions and rulings endorsed by Minor League Baseball and the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation. It is provided as a supplement to the Official Baseball Rules which govern all games in Minor League Baseball.” As for the MLBUM, I have the 2015 edition. It has just 66 interpretations in its 85 pages. Are you saying that is the only source of interpretations for the MLB?

I posted these interpretations in July of this year in the Ask the Umpire forum-- OBR Official Interpretation: PBUC: There is no penalty for a first baseman who is not complying with the rule other than to instruct him to do so. Umpires should do that only when the infraction is brought to their attention. If a player, after being so directed by the umpire, blatantly refuses to comply, the player is subject to ejection. Official Interpretation: Wendelstedt: Umpires discover a fielder was in foul territory during play: (1) If they can determine when the fielder left fair territory, they nullify all pitches and plays after that time. (2) If they cannot make that determination, they shall nullify just the pitch or the play occurring immediately before the discovery that he was not in fair territory. Official Interpretation: Wendelstedt: When a fielder is not in fair territory: PENALTY: Any play is nullified.

In July 2013 the Lansing Lugnuts had apparently won a game with a walk-off single up the middle. Unfortunately, their runner at first base did not run to second base. Instead he turned into the infield as Mr. Jimurray imagines in his play. Meanwhile, the center fielder had scooped up the ball and thrown it to second base. The infielder stood on the bag and tried to attract the attention of an umpire. Eventually the runner was ruled out on a force thus negating the winning run. Here’s a link to video of the play for your viewing pleasure-- https://deadspin.com/minor-leaguer-hits-walk-off-single-his-team-loses-game-656822487

Mr. noumpere, I disagree with your answer of “c” for NCAA. Here’s how the 2016 BRD summarizes the relevant NCAA rule—“The NCAA rule requires that the runner attempt to correct his error. He must be returning to his base at or about TOT. That is not relevant in FED or OBR play.” And here is the actual NCAA rule-- 2017-18 NCAA rule 8-6 When Runners Are Out on Appeals a. A runner shall be called out on specific appeals that occur as a result of a base running error when… Note 2 When the ball is dead, no runner may return to touch a missed base or the one just left if the runner has advanced to and touched a base beyond the missed base. Note 3 If the runner is attempting to return to his original base after a fly ball that is caught and the ball is thrown out of play, the runner may retouch and the award is made from his original base. So, at the very least, Mr. maven’s answer of “none of the above” is correct under FED and NCAA rules. Because of a previous misunderstanding, I want to make it abundantly clear—I am agreeing with you, Mr. maven.

2017 USSSA rule 7.02.D.1(c) If a team uses a continuous line-up, all players other than the nine (9) defensive position players are Extra Hitters and may move freely in defensive positions with the exception of the pitching position. Any player(s) arriving after the game has begun, shall be added to the bottom of the batting line-up. When using the continuous lineup and a player has to leave the game for any reason, that position in the line-up becomes an out when that at bat comes around.

2018 NFHS rule 4 SECTION 4 FORFEITED GAME ART. 1 . . . A game shall be forfeited to the offended team by the umpire when a team: f. is unable to provide at least nine players to start the game or cannot provide eight players to finish the game; or NOTES: 1. An out will be called each time that spot in the batting order comes to bat. If the offensive player must be substituted for after reaching base, the most recent batter not on base is allowed to run for that player. 2. A team playing with fewer than nine players may return to nine players. 2018 NFHS rule 7- SECTION 4 BATTER IS OUT ART. 1 . . . A batter is also out as in above penalty or when: g. a team playing with one less than the starting number and that turn to bat is reached;

2018 OBR rule 5.06 Running the Bases (b) Advancing Bases (1) In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third and home base in order. If forced to return, he shall retouch all bases in reverse order, unless the ball is dead under any provision of Rule 5.06(c). In such cases, the runner may go directly to his original base. 2018 OBR rule 5.09 (b) Retiring a Runner Any runner is out when: (5) He fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by a fielder. He shall not be called out for failure to retouch his base after the first following pitch, or any play or attempted play. This is an appeal play; A RETOUCH is the act of a runner in returning to a base as legally required.

From the 2018 Minor League Baseball Umpire Manual (section 5.50, p. 67-68): The “next base” or “base beyond” refers to the position of the runner at the time the ball goes out of play. Play 5: Runners on first and second, one out. Batter hits a deep fly ball that is caught by the right fielder. The runner from second is running when the ball is hit, does not tag up, and proceeds to touch and round third base. After the runner from second has rounded third base, the right fielder throws behind the runner from first, who is returning to first base. The fielder’s throw is wild and goes out of play. The umpires call “Time” and award the runners home and third. When the umpires call “Time” the runner from second is between third and home, and the runner from first is between first and second. At this point the manager yells to the runner from second (who is between third and home) to go back and tag up at second base. Is this permissible, or is the runner considered a “base beyond” the base he left too soon? Ruling 5: It is permissible for the runner to return to second base while the ball is dead. When the ball went out of play the runner originally on second base was past third (between third and home). The runner’s “next base” is therefore home. While the ball is dead he may return to second base and retouch at any time prior to touching home plate. However, if the runner advances to and touches home while the ball is dead, he may not return. The exact same text can be found in the 2014 PBUC manual also.

We have discussed this issue at least twice—once fairly recently (July 2, 2018) and once in 2015. The more recent thread is titled “second ball on field…what’s the call?” and it is currently located on page 8 of the Ask the Umpire forum. Here’s one of my posts from that thread— In an MLB game played on August 5, 2014, between the Reds and Indians, there was a play involving an extra ball on the field—the umpires kept the ball live: With none out and two on (R1, R3), B1 hit a double to F9, who threw to F4 to F6 as a ball from the defensive bullpen flew onto the field near F4. F6 threw to F5 as R1 dove back to third and was tagged out. OBR Rule 5.01(b) states that after the umpire calls "Play" and until the umpire calls "Time," or until for legal cause (e.g., hit batsman, umpire or offensive interference, foul ball, etc.), the ball is alive. Rule 5.12 lists several additional opportunities to call "Time," including weather/darkness, light failure, an accident, mound visit, examination of baseball, fielder falls out of play, and the umpire orders a person removed. Rule 5.12(b)(8) states, "Except in the cases stated in paragraphs (2) and (3)(A) of this rule, no umpire shall call 'Time' while a play is in progress." According to these rules, the umpire should not kill the ball simply because an extra ball flies onto the field. The circumstance of an extra ball on the field is not listed as an opportunity to stop play.

The use of crib (cheat) sheets got a lot of attention recently but it turns out that it wasn’t an entirely new situation. An example can be traced back to 1988 when one of the best pitchers of the decade, Orel Hershiser, used an index card as a scouting report and carried it with him onto the field in the World Series. The following is taken from an article written by Bill Shaikin on September 3, 2018, for the LA Times: Hershiser was preparing for the game two start in the 1988 WS. “Gibby’s home run was so exciting, I forgot to take the game tape home,” Orel Hershiser said. “So I couldn’t do the scouting and memorize it through the evening.” Hershiser showed up early the next day, watched the video and took notes. He despaired of memorizing his notes so quickly, and he was determined not to make a mistake in the World Series. So he scribbled a scouting report on an index card, tucked it into his pocket, and alerted the umpires. “I remember saying to them, when I reach into my pocket, this is what I’m getting,” Hershiser said. “And I showed them the card. It wasn’t an emery board, or anything else that people have been caught with.”

Perhaps, Mr. Thunderheads, our guest meant clinic instead of school. Even though you are correct that Mr. Evans' umpire academy no longer exists he still does clinics. In fact, Jim Evans just had a clinic in San Diego a couple of weeks ago. I have never been fortunate enough to attend one of his clinics but I think some of our contributors have. They could help our guest by sharing their experiences.

Authoritative Opinion: Jim Evans: In establishing the validity of secure possession at the time of a tag, the umpire should determine that the player held the ball long enough and did not juggle the ball or momentarily lose possession before gaining full control and touching the runner. Unlike a catch, a legal tag is based on the status of the ball at the time the runner or base is touched and not on the final proof of possession. (JEA/ 2:40) OBR only. Tag of a base. The batter hits a ground ball to the first baseman. He fields it to the covering pitcher. The pitcher has the ball securely in his glove and steps on the base as BR runs into his back, knocking him down. When he hits the ground, the ball pops out of his glove. Ruling: Successful tag and BR is out. The tag of the base was proved the moment that it was touched and the momentum of the tagging action ended. BR caused the ball to be knocked out after the tag had already been proved.

From the 2016 BRD (section 343, p. 226): R2, R3. The suicide squeeze is on. B1 bunts a pop-up toward short, but before the fielder can make the play, R2 bumps him, and the ball falls to the ground. BR advances to first, and R3 goes home. The umpire is convinced that, following the catch, F6 had an easy toss to third for a double play on R3. Ruling: In FED, R3 and R2 are out. BR gets first. In NCAA/OBR, R2 and BR are out and R3 return to third. But there is a very high standard—the FED umpire must believe the defense could have completed the double play had there been no interference. If he does not, he may not call out two players. (8-4-1h, 8-4-2g)

When the pitcher intentionally touches (engages) the pitching rubber with his pivot foot, he is, by rule, a pitcher; when his feet are not engaged to the rubber, he is simply another of nine fielders. This is important because the special rules for pitchers only apply when he is engaged to the rubber and "technically" a pitcher. When the pitcher disengages, these restrictions no longer apply. Also note, he must have the ball in hand or glove to engage the rubber (or straddle it), or he has balked. In other words, it's a balk if the pitcher engages or straddles the rubber without the ball in hand or glove. Pitchers are normally taught to keep the ball in their hand, but having it in the glove is allowed. If the ball is in their hand, it must be at their side or behind them. So, as our guest Gary said in his scenario, the “pitcher takes glove off with ball inside, puts glove between knees and uses both hands to tuck jersey in pants.” If pitchers must have possession of the ball when they are in-contact with the rubber, does having the ball between your knees meet that requirement? I say no it does not—therefore it’s a balk.

Hey, Mark, under which rule set was your game played? Since you mentioned it was a 12U girls game I am assuming it was softball and not baseball. Once we know which code perhaps we can help you find a rule or an interpretation for that particular rule set. As for baseball, the only code having a rule that even comes close to answering your question would be the NCAA in its rule 6-5c: NCAA Rule 6 Dead Ball—Play Suspended SECTION 5. Time shall be called by the umpire and play is suspended when: c. An unusual circumstance interferes with the normal progress of the game, such as any crowd action, animal, ball, or other object on the field (see 6-4-a PENALTY); 6-4a PENALTY—The ball is dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as to nullify the act of interference;

Yes, Mr. vortex2222, there can be interference on the batter-runner in your play. Here’s the applicable rule— 2018 OBR rule 5.09(a)(11) In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of ) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of ) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead; except that he may run outside (to the right of ) the three-foot line or inside (to the left of ) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball; And here is a case play found in the 2016 BRD (section 360, p. 240): R3, 1 out. B1 hits to the pitcher, who throws home but not in time for an out. F2 fires to first and hits BR not in the running lane. Ruling: BR is out. Because the defense played on another runner before BR interfered, runners return TOI: The run scores.

Mr. grayhawk, Gil Imber addressed in his analysis the issue you just raised. The Catcher's Throw: …Because the throw arrives at the position Pearce would have tried to assume had Bellinger not interfered at about the same time that Bellinger arrived at first base, it follows that, yes, the throw could have reasonably retired the runner if not for the runner's interference with the fielder taking the throw. It would be a bang-bang play to be sure, but we're not concerned with calling anyone "safe" or "out" at this point. We're just looking for whether the throw could have reasonably retired the runner. Timing: This may mean that the umpire has to consider a fielder stretching to catch a ball in front of first base, such that RLI can actually occur in front of the bag, and before the ball physically arrives at the base itself. Just because the runner has touched first base before the ball doesn't mean he has suddenly reached a safe zone and is protected from RLI... Interference can still be called on a runner based on his actions prior to his arrival, and before the ball actually arrives at his location. Remember the golden rule...contact is not a requirement for interference or obstruction, and interference can occur prior to, or in the absence of, actual contact.

From the 2013 Wendelstedt Rules and Interpretations Manual (section 6.3, p. 102): It is a balk if…The pitcher, while touching the plate, makes a motion naturally associated with his pitch, and fails to complete his delivery… The pitcher suspends his foot in the air (he stopped his delivery) in an attempt to hold a runner. Play 132: R1, no outs, no count. The left-handed pitcher, after coming stopped in the set position, raises his non-pivot foot off the ground and suspends it in the air, freezing R1. He then steps and throws to first base in an attempt to pick-off R1. Ruling: This is a balk. From the 2017 Jaksa/Roder The Rules of Professional Baseball (chapter 18, p. 144): It is a balk if…A pitcher who is in-contact…hesitates in or interrupts his motion to join hands, pitch, throw, or disengage. Example: R1. A left-handed pitcher lifts his free foot and suspends it, unmoving, for a split second before proceeding in his motion to throw: hesitation, balk.

Mr. BT_Blue, you have a very good memory. The Sandoval play was in a game between the Giants and Pirates on May 6, 2014, in Pittsburgh. Sandoval’s very late swing was caused by an inside pitch that forced him to move. The trouble was that a hit-and-run play had been called and it was Sandoval’s job to protect his runner. Once he regained his balance he swung but the pitch had already been caught by the catcher who was up from his crouch to attempt a throw to second on the moving R1. The funny thing about it is that I cannot find any discussion about it possibly being interference. Here’s an account I found online written by Kyle Newport When a manager calls for a hit-and-run, the batter better swing the bat. In the second inning of Tuesday's game between the San Francisco Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pablo Sandoval saved himself from getting a stern talking-to by swinging the bat with a runner in motion. It was no ordinary swing, however. Sandoval didn't swing at the pitch until Pirates catcher Tony Sanchez had already caught the ball and was ready to try to throw out the Giants' Brandon Belt at second base: The umpire was ready to call the pitch a ball, but Sandoval's incredibly late swing led to the pitch being called a strike.

Gavin, you’re right about the Stanton play that happened on July 31, 2014, in a game between the Marlins and Reds. The on-field call was overturned upon review. But the reaction to that was so strong that just 10 days later MLB issued a clarification that seems to admit that the overturned call should not have been made. 9-10-14 The Associated Press. NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball sent a memo to teams and umpires clarifying this year’s experimental rule intended to limit collisions at home plate, saying runners should not be called safe if the ball clearly beats them. The rule, announced in February, says a catcher can’t block the plate if he doesn’t have the ball. There have been several disputed calls, including a pair of decisions in the last 5 1/2 weeks that led to runners being called safe after video review. The guidelines sent to teams Tuesday say the catcher’s positioning shouldn’t change the call when the throw clearly arrives ahead of the runner. They also say if the catcher is entirely in fair territory, he should not be considered to have blocked the plate. Photo examples were included.

In an article written by Gil Imber of Close Call Sports in June 2017, he analyzes this kind of play. All of the following is from his analysis-- To review: > If the catcher left a pathway for the runner to score to his side (the runner's left), then the catcher has complied with the plate-blocking rule and is not guilty of obstruction. > If the catcher, in the umpire's judgment, blocked the runner's path by occupying his position because he needed to do so in order to field the throw, this is not obstruction. > If the runner would have been out whether or not the catcher blocked him, this is not obstruction. > If the catcher assumed "act of fielding" status prior to the runner's final few steps, this is not OBS. > If any of these aforementioned criteria are not fulfilled, then this is obstruction. One final note (NCAA vs OBR): In college, the catcher may only legally block the runner's access to home plate if "he must occupy his position to receive the ball." In professional baseball, the catcher may legally block the runner if he is otherwise making "a legitimate attempt to field the throw." Thus, the legality standard is higher in NCAA than in OBR, for in NCAA, the catcher is only legal if he must occupy his position whereas in OBR, the catcher is legal as long as he makes a "legitimate attempt" to field the throw. Where's NFHS? High school is simple. NFHS Rule 2-22-3 states it is obstruction if, "The fielder without possession of the ball denies access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve." Thus, under NFHS, the catcher would be guilty of obstruction because he denied access to home plate prior to gaining possession of the ball. There is no "act of fielding" exemption at this level of play.

From the 2018 Little League Rules Instruction Manual (rule 4.19e): There can be NO FEE attached to the submission of protest. Leagues, at times, try to put a fee into place in an effort to discourage protests. THIS CANNOT BE DONE.

Found the following play in an old copy of Referee magazine dated November 2014-- Very Late Swing Play: R1 is attempting to steal second. The pitch to B3 is in the dirt, so B3 does not swing immediately. However, once the ball is past him, B3 waves the bat at the ball. Ruling: lf the ball is clearly past, the batter cannot be charged with a strike. However, he can be charged with interference if he hinders F2's attempt to throw the ball (NFHS 7-3-5c; NCAA 7-11f; pro 6.03a-3).

Here’s how the Jaksa/Roder manual describes when the force can be re-instated: During continuous action, and only during continuous action, the force can be removed and also re-instated. A force is re-instated if a consecutive (lead) runner who had acquired his advance base returns past such base in retreat toward his time-of-pitch base (assuming the force has not yet been removed). Continuous action is defined by the same manual as: An uninterrupted progression of play starting with the pitch and ending typically when the runners have ceased trying to advance, and the defense has relaxed and is returning (or has returned) the ball to the pitcher or the pitcher’s mound. Continuous action is defined as such to distinguish it from a play, which can disallow an appeal. And in the OP, there was no play on the batter-runner at first on the batted ball. According to the description given us by the original poster, the pitcher had the ball (presumably on the mound). “The batter runner now who is standing on 1st decides to come off the base and starts running down 1st base line to pick up his bat, he didn't ask for time and of course the umpires didn't call time. The pitcher now sees this and throws to the 1st baseman and he tags the BAG ONLY.” As for the skunk in the outfield play, the batter-runner is allowed to overrun first base but is required by rule to return immediately. That’s why the batter-runner cannot choose to stay in the outfield. “The intent of the rule is to prevent a batter-runner who has run through first base to remain in short right field to attempt to draw a fielder away from a play on another runner." So, if in the umpire’s judgment the BR does not return in a reasonable time, the defense can get the out by tagging the base and/or the runner.

The original post asked about whether a runner who left the base and returned to the home plate side of first base has to be tagged or could be called out simply by stepping on the bag. “The batter runner now who is standing on 1st decides to come off the base and starts running down 1st base line to pick up his bat, he didn't ask for time and of course the umpires didn't call time. The pitcher now sees this and throws to the 1st baseman and he tags the BAG ONLY. The base umpire calls the runner out. Is this correct? or does he have to tag the runner or does the umpire call runner out for abandoning his effort?” I answered that by using the Jaksa/Roder manual as the resource. It was the correct answer but nobody accepted it. When you replied with a vague memory of something that was totally different from the OP I did not understand that to mean that you were agreeing with me. “I seem to recall WUM having a new-ish interp that F3 can retire a BR who fails to return immediately by tagging the base, not only the BR.” I knew exactly what you were referring to and exactly where to find it. But that interpretation refers to a runner who remains on the outfield side of first base, not to one who returns to first and then decides on his own volition to walk off the base. And then for you to advocate ignoring the rules and just call time was something else I did not perceive as agreeing with me. Why would you deny the defense an opportunity to get an out? “However, depending on level, heat of the game, etc., for game management I might treat this as a standard "BR dealing with equipment after acquiring 1B" and kill it before the festivities begin. My point was simply that if the BR does not immediately return, F3 can tag the base and need not chase the runner around. The rest is umpire judgment: if I judge that action is "relaxed" (to use J/R), then I might kill it to allow a player to retrieve his equipment without penalty. If not, then I won't.” If, indeed, you were agreeing with me I admit that I did not take it that way. And to be honest, I still do not see it even after your explanation. But I will grant you perhaps I should have softened my reply a bit—I was not trying to pick a fight.