lscoach

I'm not advocating injury. I hate that Tejada got hurt. That's not usually the result of this play. FYI, I've learned a lot from this site. It's helped me understand and appreciate what you guys do. I now look at some of the calls these professional umpires make in awe. What they see in real time is amazing assuming I can barely see it in frame by frame action. I learn, I stomach being called a rat and even understand why sometimes. Fans are constantly being undermined for the lack of rules knowledge and in many cases, rightfully so. Now it's your turn. You're looking at this as a fan. You can't. What he did was within the rules and is how the game has been played for longer than you or I could even say baseball. In PROFESSIONAL baseball the goal is to break up the double play. It's an accepted, taught and applauded practice. This one resulted in a serious injury which I can almost bet was not the intention. What happens the next time a HBP turns into a serious injury? Outrage? Rules to limit velocity?

First, there isn't always repercussions when a HBP is intentional. And sometimes those intentional pitches are at the head level. That's not intentional infliction of danger? Utley was doing what every MAJOR LEAGUE baseball player has been taught to do in that scenario. He didn't barrel roll him. He slid within reach of the base with the purpose of making contact. Exactly what every base runner has done in the same situation for longer than you or I have been alive. I'll concede, he came in late and he came in high but he's not the first one to do that. Is there a better way to do it? Of course but he was simply doing EXACTLY what every other player in the last 100 years of baseball has done. There are much more egregious examples of this play that didn't get a second look because everybody walked away. Nobody got suspended and nobody suggested rule changes.

What should a guy's leg get broken over? If Tejada walks away from this and and Utley's out stands, nobody cares. It's a reactive outrage because there was an injury. Every sport has an element of danger. At what point does hurling a small hard object at 95+ MPH within inches of another human being become unpalatable to us as a society? What will we do to "fix" that. What happened is the exception, not the rule. We will never be able to legislate danger out of sports.

I'm in the not intentional camp on the leg sweep. The kid took a long stride and fell all over himself. In slow mo it looked like maybe he did it on purpose but at full speed there's no way it looked intentional. I'm willing to bet F2 didn't just hold that pitch too long. He probably said something that in any other game would get him ejected. HPU probably did him a favor by bringing his coach into it. Did anybody catch the HBP after the HR that CA hit? F1 apologized to the kid he hit. After F1 walked away, the screen went silent for about 10 seconds as R1 turned to talk to his 1BC. Once the sound cut back in, the announcers were speechless for another good 15 seconds. If you read the kids lips what he said looked laced with profanity. It would explain the censored silence and surprised silence of the announcers. That game was getting out of hand quickly.

Is there a place to see the play by play for the Washington game they supposedly tanked? I'm reserving judgment as I see no reason a coach can't rest his starters or put who he wants on the mound (in the circle?) or on the field. If he called the game to lose, I'd have a problem with that. If he put kids out there who normally don't play or pitch often, that's any coach's prerogative.

Out of curiosity, why was he awarded second? Was it because he proceeded to throw the ball from DBT or because he fell? I know throwing the ball from DBT has been hotly debated here.

Thanks guys, I did indeed bet it was legal. Mudder, can you please elaborate? It's my understanding that if the pitcher is legitimately under the impression the runner is going, it's still legal. Is there a difference in this for Fed vs OBR?

Hey Guys, First, thank you. I have learned a ton and this site and it's made my dealings and conversations with umpires much more efficient and cordial. I have a bet going with a friend of mine and I need some help on rule reference and if possible, multiple responses. This is OBR rule set and here's the scenarios. 1. R1 and pitcher in the set. Pitcher comes set and R1 takes off for second before the pitch is delivered. Pitcher wheels and throws to second. Is this a balk? 2. R2 and pitcher is in the set. Pitcher comes set and R2 takes off from second before the pitch is delivered. The pitcher, without disengaging steps directly to 3rd with his free foot and throws to F5 to retire the base runner. Is this a balk? Here's what I have so far: (4) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play; Rule 6.02 (a)(4) Comment (Rule 8.05(d ) Comment ): When determining whether the pitcher throws or feints a throw to an unoccupied base for the purpose of making a play, the umpire should consider whether a runner on the previous base demonstrates or otherwise creates an impression of his intent to advance to such unoccupied base. Anything else you can add as far as interpretations (I don't have those, only the rule book) would be greatly appreciated.