ElkOil

There's a debate? Huh. I musta missed it. I have no issue believing a helmet that covers the head offers better protection than one that doesn't. BUT don't blindly agree with me. Take a look at the scientific test methods NOCSAE uses to determine that headgear and related equipment is safe: http://nocsae.org/wp-content/files_mf/1458844362ND08114m15PneumaticRamTestMethod.pdf http://nocsae.org/wp-content/files_mf/1463597031ND01113m16MfrdProceduralGuideforQualityControlandSampleSelection.pdf http://nocsae.org/wp-content/files_mf/1490213565ND00115m17DropTestMethod.pdf http://nocsae.org/wp-content/files_mf/1490287310ND02112m17ProjectileImpactTestMethod.pdf http://nocsae.org/wp-content/files_mf/1514996961ND00117m17bDropTestMethod.pdf But I'm no physicist, so I don't understand all the math. I am, however, willing to take NOCSAE's word for it that if equipment passes these tests, they provide at least a decent degree of safety. And a better degree than other equipment -- like a traditional mask/helmet combo that doesn't pass these tests. If this isn't "definitive proof," it should be good enough.

Yow, dude. EJ, EJ, EJ. Every day and twice on Sunday. I don't care who those comments are directed to, it can't be tolerated. In HS ball, profanity is explicitly addressed in the FED rules. Since this is happening with some frequency, I agree with the others who advocate pre- and post-gaming this. Dump enough people who behave inappropriately and one, it'll stop. Two, the next time they see you, I'm betting they'll be better behaved. I know how difficult it is to be a younger guy in a position of authority. Just remember that the biggest hurdle to overcome isn't other people's perceptions of you, but your perception of yourself. You're the paid professional umpire who has been hired to uphold the rules and integrity of the game, regardless of your age or your age relative to anyone else. Embrace that role and have fun with it. It's a real confidence-builder.

I'm curious about the types of comments and how frequently you see this happen. I haven't really noticed much of this in the few years I've been umpiring and would like to know about your experiences.

No, I've never had the argument because there is none to be had. The rule is explicit. And no, I've never received clarification from anyone because none is required. If someone argues the point, it's because they don't know the rule.

From F3's web site on the the product page for the HSM: "The Defender Hockey Style Mask meets NOCSAE® standard, and able to be used at all levels of baseball with confidence." http://www.force3progear.com/product/defender-hockey-style-mask/

No, not till the END of time, but until SOME time. The language in the interp is explicit and excludes a transfer. To be clear, I agree with you, but in looking at how the interp is written, it's contrary to what you're saying. It's also like the example in the FED rules book about a fielder catching a fly ball, then running into a fence and dropping it.

How is this applied relative to the OP when the interp specifies "the fielder must maintain control of the ball from the tag through any subsequent activity"? Wouldn't we consider separate acts subsequent activity?

bat·ed ˈbādəd/ adjective adjective: bated in great suspense; very anxiously or excitedly. "he waited for a reply to his offer with bated breath" Otherwise, I picture you dangling a little tiny fish in your mouth.

To distill a few things you touched on that may help you answer other questions as they come to mind is one, all bases and baselines are entirely in fair territory. All batter's box lines are entirely within the batter's box. Two, whether a touched batted ball is fair or foul is determined by the position of the ball relative to the foul line when it is touched by the fielder. Where the fielder is, is irrelevant. Good work!

Therein lies the rub. Who's definition of "right" do we use? Those who kneel know in their hearts they are right. Those who condemn their actions wholeheartedly believe that they, too, are right. You cannot and should not legislate what is right in this scenario. We are all left having to agree to disagree and live and let live. And while I agree with your post and your sentiment, it is the Constitutionally-protected right of the kneelers to kneel and the right of those to speak out against them to do so. Maybe exercising those rights is the "right" you seek? Because that's the only way we can all be "right."

I think we agree on this topic.

I certainly will. But the only reason is because you told me to.

Kinda sounds like splitting hairs to divide the slide between the two umpires. As PU, I'm watching the whole thing and will make a call accordingly. When I'm BU, I'll call it if I see it assuming my partner doesn''t.

So get the out at 2B, then while I continue to look at 2B, call the runner out at 1B? Got it. I'll be sure to do this next time.

I turned after I made the out call at 2B to make the out call at 1B, regardless of when the ball and runner arrived since the out at 1B was automatic. Once you determine the slide at 2B is illegal, you don't have to see what happens at 1B.

PU's job is to watch the slide, while BU's is to get the safe/out at both bases. Many guys I've worked with aren't students enough of umpiring to know this, unfortunately, so I'm sure to pre-game it with them so they know they have to watch the slide. Having said that, when I'm BU I've made the illegal slide call on a couple of occasions since it was early enough before I turned for the DP.

He's gotta have a signature move.

So back to my other question... why wouldn't you call INT on this?

With batter INT, for example, one of the criteria we use to determine if INT occurred is if the catcher's throw didn't retire a runner. Wouldn't the same be true here? Since the throw to 1B didn't retire the runner, wouldn't we call INT? After my first viewing, I could see myself making the double play call.

Did the umpire indicate it was, or is there a question about how the call was handled? To the technical aspects of the situation, it's an infield fly if the following criteria are met: 1. Less than two out. 2. Force play in effect at 3B ( so bases loaded or runners on 1B and 2B). 3. Fly ball is hit (as @noumpere said, it has to be high enough in the umpire's judgement). No infield fly is in effect on a bunted ball. 4. An infielder must be able to catch it using ordinary effort. Note that this does not mean it has to be caught by an infielder nor does it mean that the ball is over the infield.

I gotta disagree on this, which becomes particularly important at the levels of ball we all call. Selling this call is more important on our fields than an MLB diamond since they just go to video review if someone disagrees. In this video, U1 was anything but set. He casually walked into position, remained upright, sort of wavered around while the play was happening, then gave an extremely quick safe call. Right, wrong or otherwise, any coach at our levels would be right to think we missed it because we weren't set and our timing was off. So to the OP, I suggest that this is less about what we look at, since everyone else already gave good input about how difficult that is on this play, and more about the fundamentals of hustling into position, getting set like you're ready, taking that extra second, then selling your call. Since we can't go to video, that's all we got.

Show me where I said it was, Rich. I never so much as implied it. What IS squarely in the purview of the umpire is game management, including calling time when necessary -- even if the batter didn't request it. The umpire's need for a time out is as valid as anyone else's. That was my only point relative to the OP. And as for my point relative to you, get some training, gear up, get behind the plate and stay active on this forum. Then you'll understand our frustration when you read posts from people like who you were before. Instead of criticizing our ranks, join them.

Looks like Hallion was flirting with the Yellow Zone.

The umpire is the only person in the game who can call time. Everyone else only requests it. It's his prerogative to manage the game as he sees fit, and he also needs to be ready for the pitch. If the umpire isn't ready, he can call time for his own sake. At no level does this rise to "interjecting himself into the game." You should try being an umpire some time. You'd get quite an education and I'm confident your demeanor and opinions towards them would change for the better.

...which I did. Foul ball.