Forest Ump

Plus (for those keeping score at home) The slimy spit ball is thrown out of service to the home team dugout and another ball is put in play.

I second that

Don't let them steal first. Leave them in the box. Prepare to defend your call.

OK but you're buying drinks afterwards.

Our position on the field is based on the probability of where the next play is or the best coverage will be. When the bases are loaded and the infield is in, I go to a deep B position, same position as U3 would use in three man with R1 only. This spot gets you out of the way. It puts you in a great position to see all infield action. It allows you to easily adjust for the next play at first on the BR after they throw the ball home to get R3. This is an "advanced" mechanic and I wouldn't recommend it to newer umpires.

You have to scroll down. I listed the Fed rule and then the BRD interp. I do agree that a warning should precede this balk call. I also believe that it's a no call with a runner at 2nd or 3rd because he can see a right handed pitchers hand. I also believe that a strong argument can be made that this move is more deceptive than a hybrid stance.

Could be . He has to present the hand or the ball by holding one or the other by his side or behind his back. The runner(s) must be able to see this. If you judge that they cannot, then call it. I called this balk recently because the pitcher tucked the ball up tight against his abdomen while looking in for his sign. Here's the Fed Rule and BRD interp. Pitcher hand by side.pdf BTW. The reason I have this PDF handy is because certain people needed this balk explained after I called it.

Stepping on soap box...........FED and NCAA are identical rules with two exceptions. In NCAA a player is allowed to pop up and over slide the base. I always tell umpires that if you want to understand the FPSR, read the rule in the NCAA rule book. It's in section 8-4. It's well written and has a diagram. The FED rule is badly written and it requires you to read two sections to interpret the rule. .......Stepping down now.

This is why I like the new college rule. It adds some teeth to the problem. Kid gets intentionally hit, not only does he stay in the box but he gets a strike. Plus coaches can not argue the call. A definite improvement in my opinion. I hope HS adopts the same rule.

As other have said, move to get the best position you can. Read the ball into the glove and that will help you make your decision.

One of the best items added to the new HBP rule, Coaches can not leave their position and argue the call. Coaches can come out and ask what happened but they must be warned that if they argue the call they will be ejected.

OBS in FED and NCAA. When the runner entered the dirt circle, the fielder has blocked access to the plate without the ball. All in the span of 1 second. That how fast these things happen. Great video. Too bad the PU didn't sell the $hit out of that call. That's a must in any situation like this. That's the difference between a good umpire and a great umpire.

I agree with Matt. No way is this a FPSR violation in the original post. The runner performed a legal maneuver by veering away from the fielder. Here's the FPSR rule from the NCAA manual. The FPSR rule is the same in NCAA as it is in FED with the exception that a runner can pop up and over slide in college. It's a shame that FED doesn't write the rule as detailed as this. Force-Play-Slide Rule SECTION 4. The intent of the force-play-slide rule is to ensure the safety of all players. This is a safety and an interference rule. Whether the defense could have completed the double play has no bearing on the applicability of this rule. This rule pertains to a force-play situation at any base, regardless of the number of outs. a. On any force play, the runner must slide on the ground before the base and in a direct line between the two bases. It is permissible for the slider’s momentum to carry him through the base in the baseline extended (see diagram). Exception—A runner need not slide directly into a base as long as the runner slides or runs in a direction away from the fielder to avoid making contact or altering the play of the fielder. Interference shall not be called. 1) “On the ground” means either a head-first slide or a slide with one leg and buttock on the ground before the base. 2) “Directly into a base” means the runner’s entire body (feet, legs, trunk and arms) must stay in a straight line between the bases. b. Contact with a fielder is legal and interference shall not be called if the runner makes a legal slide directly to the base and in the baseline extended (see diagram). If contact occurs on top of the base as a result of a “pop-up” slide, this contact is legal. c. Actions by a runner are illegal and interference shall be called if: 1) The runner slides or runs out of the base line in the direction of the fielder; 2) The runner uses a rolling or cross-body slide and either makes contact with or alters the play of a fielder; 3) The runner’s raised leg makes contact higher than the fielder’s knee when in a standing position; 4) The runner slashes or kicks the fielder with either leg; or 5) The runner illegally slides toward or contacts the fielder even if the fielder makes no attempt to throw to complete a play. PENALTY for 1-5—1) With less than two outs, the batter-runner, as well as the interfering runner, shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. 2) With two outs, the interfering runner shall be declared out and no other runner(s) shall advance. 3) If the runner’s slide or collision is flagrant, the runner shall be ejected from the contest. Note 1: If the bases are loaded with no outs, a double-play attempt is made, and interference is called, all other runners must return to their original bases. Note 2: On a force play, with a two-man umpiring system, if the plate umpire does not have a potential play at the plate, he should move toward the base to observe the runner going into second or third base. In this situation, the base umpire must follow the throw and may not see the true effect of the lead runner’s action. .

No. Intentionally getting hit is always a strike. Freezing when the pitch is clearly within the batters box is not considered moving into the pitch. See above post.

From the NCAA Central Hub: •Hit By Pitch –7-4-i, 8-2-d-1 •A batter who, in the judgment of the umpire, makes a movement to intentionally get hit by the pitch, is not awarded first base and a strike is added to the count, regardless of the location of the pitch. •“Freezing” is not considered making a movement to be hit by the pitch if the pitch is within the batter’s box. Getting hit by a pitch within the batter’s box without making any movement would allow the batter to be awarded first base. •This judgment by the umpire cannot be argued. (3-6-f-Notes 1 and 2). •If video review is being utilized, a coach could use one of his challenges to have this situation reviewed. (App. E-2)

Yea....We're freezing out here in California. Today it's only suppose to get up to........... ummm never mind.

Great job. Missing three is good. I'm surprised your test didn't follow the rule book order. Mine did to a tee. From beginning to end. My test started with section 1 "any question regarding the legality of equipment" and ended with signal in the back of the book "What is the foul ball signal"? I always thought the test were the same but I guess I'm wrong. I won't find out how I did for a few weeks. When I submitted, it said passed, but the powers to be won't give out the results until the next meeting.

1. You're thinking too much. 2. You don't need the case book to pass this test 3. The test follows the order of the rule book.

and interesting enough, the NCAA says it's OK to pause during the windup.

You're the same as me. I know the answer but I still want to see the rules reference. 7-1-2 covers that situation.

Yep. The answer is in the dead ball table and rule 5-1-h

Thank. I was just editing my post. That what I thought it would be.

What's the new "correct rotation signal" for 2019? I don't have the 2019 rule book yet. I think its using two hands to point to the base your going to. Sounds like something FED would come up with.

Submitted my test this morning. Got 100% correct. That's a first.

There is only one statement that is false in that list of answers.