JohnnySpot

Warren, This has been a problem facing MiLB umpires for years. They are not sent by Minor League Baseball but 'requested' by MAJOR League baseball. In theory, they can turn down the request but would you turn down a request from a potential employer you've been striving to work for years? This sort of 'blackmail' is clearly unfair and is just another one of the strange quirks in the Minor and Major League umpire relationship. You are RIGHT. It needs to be addressed.

Amen Said about as well as it can be

thanks mike Glanville is a UPenn grad (by pointing that out I mean he is articulate) and one who obviously 'gets it'...good article...

dragon29 right track...wrong conclusion here's the answer Rule 7.08( Comment: A runner who is adjudged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether it was intentional or not. If, however, the runner has contact with a legally occupied base when he hinders the fielder, he shall not be called out unless, in the umpire’s judgment, such hindrance, whether it occurs on fair or foul territory, is intentional. If the umpire declares the hindrance intentional, the following penalty shall apply: With less than two out, the umpire shall declare both the runner and batter out. With two out, the umpire shall declare the batter out. UmpJM I knew you'd get it...I was wondering when you'd show up

Ok let's try again OBR, 1 out, R2, R3 batted ball up the 3rd baseline and R3 while standing on the bag intentionally interferes with F5 and he can't make the play and the ball then rolls through the infield What's the call? MStaylor at least you tried... but you got the answer wrong....

very true...by saying he made "a conscious effort to make no room for F5" i thought intentional interference was made clear...guess not... now....what's the call?

OBR, 1 out, R2, R3 batted ball up the 3rd baseline and R3, while standing on the base, makes a conscious effort not to make any room for F5 to make the play and the ball then rolls through the infield What's the call?

You are kind of being a master of the obvious...I was just asking your (everyone's) opinion based on today's rules...I can tell you'd be a joy to be partner's with

Ok, before I begin, refrain from thinking I'm a geek and think about this....I am watching the 1951 World Series footage on MLB network and I see this... the count is 3 balls and ? strikes on a Yankee batter and Rizzuto is stealing...ball 4 and the film shows a stealing Rizzuto pulling up (slowing down to a jog)and veering toward the outside (centerfield side) of 2B about 5 feet north of the bag... 1)do you think he should have been in jeopardy of being put out with respect to this rule? Rule 7.04( Comment: A runner forced to advance without liability to be put out may advance past the base to which he is entitled only at his peril. B] 2)how do you judge if he was 'past the base to which he is entitled'? PS the 2B umpire actually grabbed Rizzuto to slow him down and put him on the base I wish you all could see it to better understand what i am talking about but I think you get the idea

132...68 before 5/1....spring training deal

I believe the other time a coach has a choice is when a play occurs after the pitcher delivers a illegal pitch ...i'd be willing to bet you will never see this

even it leaves his hand a few inches, during his preliminary stretch, i don't have a balk

Mike before he comes set he is entitled to 'make any natural preliminary motion' known as the stretch...so before he come set and during the stretch he wants to take the chance of dropping the ball by juggling it, I don't have a balk yet...

jamesparke, welcome to this board...a forum that is the most civil on the net... BrianC is asking you to be more clear when describing a situation...the two possible positions the pitcher could be in are the 'set' or the 'windup'...there is no 'ready' position...either way I think you meant that he was touching the rubber when he dropped the ball..yup that's a balk... once again welcome

Once again this site proves its dominance and civility with thoughtful answers....TT , JM very nice debate by the way...I'm with TT...and, in the name of full disclosure, an Evan's grad