kstrunk

Where do I find 'step and reach' criteria?

@maven - just the stuff I need. Thanks.

I'm looking for 'rules of thumb' for when the BU has catch or no catch on fly balls. I need to understand the 'V' better.

I see... I guess my problem with that is the failure to recognize that most of their umpires start at LL, using OBR (basically), making the transition a bit more difficult than necessary. Ughh

On a dead ball, verbal appeal, must the defense tag base or runner, or is it sufficient for them to explain their appeal, or must they execute in accord with the verbal? Again, this may seem rudimentary, but I'm a 1 year umpire, moving up to high school, and I don't want to stink up the joint. I excelled last year thanks to good mentors, but now I've moved away, so I'm relying on you guys. Thanks.

So grateful guys! Huge help, especially the differences. I gotta get that BRD book! On another note, I'm not very excited about the FED rules. Why the need to be different?

Art. 4... Balk. If there is a runner or runners, any of the following acts by a pitcher while he is touching the pitcher's plate is a balk: d. failing to pitch to the batter in a continuous motion immediately after any movement of any part of the body such as he habitually uses in his delivery; 1. If the pitcher, with a runner on base, stops or hesitates in his delivery because the batter steps out of the box (a) with one foot or (b) with both feet or © holds up his hand to request "Time", it shall not be a balk. In (a) and ©, there is no penalty on either the batter or the pitcher. The umpire shall call "Time" and begin play anew. In (b), a strike shall be called on the batter for violation of 7-3-1. In (a), (b), and ©, if the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live. Thus, two strikes are called on the batter in (b). If the umpire judges the batter's action to be a deliberate attempt to create a balk, he will penalize according to 3-3-1 o.

The first sentence refers to when the pitcher stops or hesitates his delivery. The first sentence would constitute an illegal delivery. The part in question is a legal delivery that seems to be an automatic strike. I'm thinking of a situation where the batter requests time, doesn't get it, the pitcher legally delivers the ball, is this rule in play? I know that sounds ridiculous, but the way this is written makes me wonder.

This paragraph seems contradictory, so I must be missing something. "In a, b, & c, if the pitcher legally delivers the ball, it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live". So if the batter steps out, or attempt to get time out but doesn't, and the ball is legally delivered, it's automatically a strike? That sounds like a penalty to me, but in the previous sentence, it says in a, & c, there is no penalty? What am I missing?

I'm studying for that test as we speak, and this is the stuffI need. So thanks!!

Thanks again guys. By the way, what is the corresponding rule reference in OBR?

Thanks maven. Grateful for your patience. I think I got it now. After a runner touches the successive base from where he began he becomes liable to be put on appeal and may not correct his error after the ball is dead. Now...if God will grant me sharpness to catch all this visually when it happens!!! Pretty subjective I guess, but hey... the umpire's opinion in this only one that matters is such situations.

So if I'm understanding correctly, if R1 doesn't correct his error (retouch) prior to the ball going out of play, he is liable to put out on appeal, even after being awarded 2 bases on the DB throw? I've got a ton to learn!!!

I'm a novice, studying for the FED exam in February, so I need help here. Are we saying that R1, currently between 2nd and 3rd when F8 throws the ball into the DB area, may not retouch 2nd in attempt to return to 1st? Is he mandated to give up? I realize the ball is dead, but then how can the defense properly appeal to make an out on R1? Sorry if this is not worthy of the discussion, just trying to understand. Thanks.

This happened in an MLB game this past season, Yankees maybe, since that is who I watch most of the time. No, IFF, R1 touched F3 with both hands as he positioned himself under a flyball in the IF. Initial call was wrong if my memory serves, as BU called BR and R1 out (ball was caught by F3), but after conference they got it right, and awarded BR 1st base, calling the ball dead on interference.

Which 'mother lode' are you guys recommending? There are tons of them.

Thanks Jax! Keep em comin!

C'mon Brother! Federation - high school! NFHS. I'm studying the rules in anticipation of the test in February.

Can someone give an understandable explanation/description of the GD stance for us novices? Thanks.

Thanks for the welcome guys. I'm studying the PIAA/FED stuff. Hate to say it, but now that archery season is nearly over, I got baseball fever already!!

It's been a while since I've been on. The Lord called my family home to PA, Volunteered for only 3 games this fall, missing the grind a bit. I'm hoping to be welcomed as a member of the Bethlehem Umpires Association tomorrow evening when I'm presented to their board for consideration. Anybody connected with PIAA for umping High School baseball in PA? Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks Guys! It was the 'pause' I was neglecting, which fouled everything else up! I had a much better game Saturday night for 10/11 LL District game. Much appreciated.

Need help guys. I feel like I'm rushing when I'm on the bases, which is leading to poor timing on some calls. When a ball is hit to the outfield, should I be taking a moment or two to watch the ball enter the outfield, or even land, before breaking to the working area (60 ft. bases). Last night I may have missed an obstruction because I was hurrying to get in position to see touches, etc..., and was too quick on 2 different calls, because I believe I wash rushing everything. I gotta slow down, but I need to know a sequence of focus when I'm on the bases, an order of priority, if you will. Thanks.

Welcome! Some of us still play both roles, coach and umpire. To be honest, even as long as I've been involved with the game, I've learned much about both on this site! It will most certainly make you a better coach! Enjoy!

Why don't them just give them an extra base when they reach the previous base safely?!!! Crazy! What division is this tournament?