Thawk

So I had a 11u travel ball game last night. I had one play occur that looking through the rulebook I think I might have kicked, but at the time neither side argued with my call. So I thought I would put it up and get thoughts. Situation, Runners on 1B & 2B, no outs. B/R lays down a bunt which goes right in front of the plate. As the B/R begins to run for 1B, he lets go off the bat in fair territory. It lands on top of the ball. I killed the play immediately, called the B/R out for interference, and sent the runners back to 1B and 2B. Here's my dilemma- OBR describes this situation in when the batter/runner is clearly trying to break up a double play. There was clearly not going to be a double play-runners were moving on the pitch. So I am just curious if I am reading that rule incorrectly (6.01-can't remember the subsection) To clarify, the ball didn't roll into the bat, the bat landed on the ball.

@maven That is exactly what I was trying to describe. Thanks for helping me clarify.

A way I learned from a well respected umpire in our area was this; "Whatever happens after the play in question, happens independently of the play in question. You cannot assume a batter, fielder, or runner is going to do or not do something, you can only judged based upon their actions."

As long as he doesn't use the magic 3 letter word "Y-O-U", let it go.

Don't we all have several bones in our legs??

@ElkOil you know you jinxed yourself now.

That makes sense.

Here's the scenario that was sent to me. Told that it came from the Wendelstadt School Manual. Maybe I'm reading it wrong.

I've still been seeing that mechanic during MLB games, and at a few of the MiLB games I've seen-I live in a city with a AAA team. Umpires still do that mechanic of waiting for a touch of the base, or a tag on the runner Here is an example;

@stkjock With that scenario, here's the argument I would make as the HC; Are you sure he's "hurdling"? Because to me, he looks like he was just high-stepping!

The way I read the scenario that was passed along to me, and what the rulebook says @JamesC, only F3(or the fielder covering 1B) can appeal the BR missing the base at that moment. He has to maintain contact with the base when he appeals to BU. If he throws the ball to another fielder, then the defense loses the right of immediate appeal ONLY, and they have to do a dead ball appeal like @Mudisfun described. @maven that's the way I read it, fielder has to be in contact with the bag in order to make the appeal. Didn't say anything about tagging the runner. @ALStripes17 I think that is their desire, to let the defense know he missed, because this seems to only encompass the runner missing the base while there is a play being made at 1B. Maybe you call it unfair, but the runner should know if they missed the base, so they should be trying to get back as quick as they can already. So in that case, the runner has the advantage. Kind of feels like we're evening the odds.

@noumpere, apparently they started this year. I can understand both schools of thought. Mine personally is "he's not safe until he tags the bag before he or the bag is tagged by the ball.". So for me, I prefer the no signal. Doesn't confuse people with a safe, then out call.

So in the discussions I had with the author and other members of the group, I learned that at the Wendlestadt school, the scenario they are teaching for this one is "if a runner beats out the throw to the 1B, but misses the base, the umpire should not signal out or safe to indicate to the offense & defense that batter-runner missed the base.". Before I learned that I would have called the BR out as soon as the ball made it into F3's glove, but they have to appeal that the runner missed the base. That's why there is no signal. Interesting.

First guys, let me start off by saying this is not from me, someone posted this on a Facebook page. I'm the one scratching my head wondering what "rule set" this guy is referring to; Virtually every rule set in both softball and baseball endorses the concept that a runner who passes a base is considered to have reached it. That means if he/she passes the base without touching it, the defense must appeal to record the out. So, what exactly is meant when we talk of a runner "passing" a base? Must he/she be completely beyond it? Or is it sufficient for the runner to have a part of his/her body on the other side of the base? For example, a BR is straddling first base (lead foot beyond it, trail foot still short of it) as F3 catches the ball while on the bag. Is the BR safe or out at that point? Another example, R1 slides to the back side of second on the front end of a potential DP, and his/her legs are beyond the bag when F4 catches the ball, and then R1 touches the back side of the bag with his/her left hand. Did the runner "pass" the bag? I want to know what Rulebook says a runner is safe when they "pass" a base?? Cause I sure would love to read it.

Let me know which ones. Pay through Paypal.

Depends on the age level, but for me, I'm normally setting my cutoff at the outer edge of the inside line of the box. Remember, that gap between the edge of Home Plate, and the outer edge of the batter's box is only 6 inches, or 2 ball widths. If it's little kids(12 & under) I'll give the pitcher that 2 ball widths. 13,14, even some 15 year olds, I'll bring it in a little, 1 1/2 ball widths. By the time they get to be varsity pitchers (16 years old), they should be able to comfortably place that inside pitch, so it's down to 1 ball width.

Unless they have a very odd stance, I have found that their front elbow is a pretty good indicator for most batters. Lets me establish a reference point on their torso.

What colors specifically are you looking for?

@bluebarber I do have those still

What's even funnier is the guys description. This is the "go to" mask, and is worn by MLB umps. OK, sure buddy. Still not worth $600!

He talks about the stitching coming undone around the front of the metatarsal plate, and then has the gall to say that they are in very good condition. And here is his justification for the price-I SH*# YOU NOT; "A starting price of $200 I believe is fair due to new plate shoes being $140 & this model being unavailable to get anywhere & the condition being very good." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? The only way I'm paying more for something that isn't produced anymore is if someone puts work into it, and it's better than what replaced it. SMH!!

I think the balk would still be in effect if there were other runners, but R2 would be out, no run would score, since the offense initiated a play.

Read all the other comments first so I knew what not to focus on. One thing I saw that wasn't mentioned was that you were drifting downward. What I mean is you'd come down set, and then go lower as the pitch was approaching. That's gonna throw your zone off maybe just enough when you get to the HS levels and above. As far as the tunnel vision, I just go with what I was taught as a batter, lock onto the ball coming out of the pitcher's hand, and track it in. If you do that, you should be fine.

My sister in law got me a copy of this. It is going to stay in my gear bag. Perfect way to explain things to yourself, or your partner(s)

@Matt Hoey, everything is still on the table.