JamesC

Ok, I posted at the same time as semperfi, but I am still curious as to when/why F1 would ever throw to an unoccupied base. This seems as though throwing to a base a runner is attempting to steal is not considered picking off an unoccupied base; therefore, I guess you would have to be calling a really weak/unintelligent team for them to attempt to pickoff to an empty base.

See, I have a hard time understanding how this is not picking off an unoccupied base. At the time of the pickoff, there were runners on R1 and R2; there was no R3. Only if there were a runner on 3rd at the time of the pickoff should that be considered making a play. I would think the runner would have to disengage the rubber. Seems as though if the same thing were happening, R1 and R3, R1 attempts a steal and F1 just does a wheel move and snaps the ball to F4/F6. I may be completely wrong, but I just don't see how this is not picking off to an unoccupied base?

I wear crew socks when I umpire. Normally, outside of umpiring, I wear no-show UnderArmour socks, but when I call I have to have the crew socks. I got mine from WalMart as I needed a few pair and cheap. I rarely wear a navy shirt, but when I do, I too wear a red UnderArmour shirt. I use the "last stripe" rule as mentioned before. My plate shoes fit just fine. I ordered an 11 in base shoes and an 11 in plate shoes as well, and haven't had a single problem from them. Love the fit of both! Good luck!

They did seem a bit snug at first, but they have been worn a few times now and have definitely gotten worn in. I would suggest staying with them and seeing how they turn out. I think you will be satisfied. I know that is tough saying considering they are $70, but I think you will be happy after a couple games.

No, the run does not count because the strike 3 would have ended the inning. The rule says something about "unless the pitch were strike 3 and would end the inning".

I have a couple big games coming up this weekend, and I have been trying to really get prepared for these games, mentally and physically. I have been doing a little reading through the Rules Book, and I come across the Dead Ball section. I have read through this particular section many times before, but as I read through it this time I catch the first line that really sticks out to me: "Art. 1 . . . Ball becomes dead immediately when: a. a pitch touches a batter or his clothing (8-1-1d), a runner (8-3-1a)" Well, I read on to follow up on rule 8-3-1a and this is the baserunning awards: "Art. 1 . . . Each runner other than the batter-runner is awarded one base when: a. there is a balk (6-2-4) or a pitch strikes a runner" Only situation I can think of, and it seems to be a very rare one, is a suicide squeeze and the pitcher hits the runner coming home with the ball. Is there any other situation this rule may be used, and is the rare occasion of the suicide squeeze incident an actual example of this rule being used?

FED: When playing FED, I'm not sure if it is universal, but around here courtesy runners are allowed for the pitcher and/or catcher. This is a hurry-up tactic used to help speed the games along. Anyways, I have looked and looked throughout the Rules Book for more clarification on how to use the courtesy runners, but the book is a bit vague. Therefore, I am going to give you a couple situations and ask what is allowed: F1 - #5 F2 - #9 A) F2 draws a walk in the top of the 2nd inning. #2 comes on as F2's courtesy runner. Top of the 5th rolls around, F1 reaches and again, #2 comes on as F1's courtesy runner. Is this allowed? F1 reaches first in bottom 1 and #8 comes on as courtesy runner. Later, in the 2nd inning, the same F1 reaches and #15 comes in as courtesy runner. In the bottom of the 4th the same pitcher reaches again, and #8 is now the courtesy runner again. Is this allowed (if so, would #8 or #15 be treated as substitutes or what)?

Ok, now that we have started a forum on this, how do you guys crease your caps? Are you just ironing them where you want the crease?

Well I emailed and she told me the blue shirts should be in any day but she didn't have any information about the red ones. On the website it said the red ones were to come in before the blue ones. It's not too big of a deal, I was just hoping to have them in by this next weekend. I was just curious if anyone else had ordered and received a red one

Anyone know any updates on the new red and polo blue ultimate shirts from Jim? I order 2 red and 2 of the polo blues and a couple weeks back and was curious if anyone else had placed any orders and/or received any of their shirts. I have the black ones so I'm just referring to the red and new blue ones.

blp79, do you have a rule reference for that?

FED If a batted ball touches a runner while they are on a bag (1st, 2nd, or 3rd), what is the ruling?

Well, I have always been taught to get into C, and I would much rather be certain about that pickoff at 3rd and just sure about the one at 1st, rather than the opposite. The reason I was asking is because tonight at our meeting we were going over some base mechanics with some of the younger guys, and another guy and I had a disagreement on this specific positioning. He said that you should be in B so you can get a better positioning on the steal of 2nd, but I don't see why I couldn't see that play while coming from the C position. I position myself in the C position, and until further proof or reasoning, I do not see myself changing.

When there are runners on 1st and 3rd, where does the base umpire position himself? In B or C position?

I too, thought that the Under Armour was too expensive for calling baseball, considering I would need at least a white, black, navy, and red shirt. So, instead of going with Under Armour, I went to WalMart and got some of the cheaper, $7.99 compression shirts and regreated it the entire season. It rubbed my under arms the entire season, and was very uncomfortable. At first, I just thought it was because I wasn't use to the wear of the fabric. After I had given it some though, I wore Under Armour all throughout high school in football and baseball, and never had problems with it. I recently got a 50% off coupon for Under Armour and bout me 5 new shirts for only $12.50 each. Great deal and much, MUCH more comfortable!

So from the OP, in FED, is R3 awarded home as well as BR awarded first? Or would the ruling be different?

Welcome aboard man! Enjoy!

Is this the overall consensus under FED as well?

I just ordered both the plate and the base shoes, and have had them for a few weeks now. I cannot speak from field experience, but I do wear them around the house a little bit, just trying to break them in. While I was getting my mom to hem my new plate pants for me, I had my plate shoes on the entire time. It was for about 3 hours. Not that my mom doesn't know what she is doing, I am just a picky person and we ended up redoing them about 3-4 times! Anyways, the shoes were hurting my feet while I had them on for the brief time. Also, when I attended an umpire clinic last weekend, I wore my base shoes while we were inside. We were not doing much, but after a while they started to hurt my feet. I strongly (hopefully) believe this is because they are new and I do understand that there is going to be a break-in time period. This is why I'm wearing them now and trying to break them in a little before the season gets going full speed. If you're not in any hurry, I'll let you guys know how they feel after a few games. I know there are others on the board that have them, they may can help you a little more. As I said, I am just speaking of their comfort straight out of the box. Hope this helps, but also hope this doesn't discourage you getting them, as they are great looking shoes!

I would agree. If the batter weren't out of the box, saying he was legally in the box, the contact with the catcher's glove may have never occured.

I can see the Scrubbing Bubbles, but what is the hair spray doing? Just curious how you are working the hair spray in there? Are you just spraying them down with it, or what?

The camp was pretty basic. There were only 3 instructors there (a rather small camp). It was, however, free of charge, and a disappointing turnout of only 7 people; none from the association/area that the camp was held, which is pretty pathetic in my opinion. Regardless of the size of the camp, when MiLB umpires are holding a camp, especially a FREE one, there should be no reason umpires do not want to attend. I could understand if you CAN'T attend, but no reason to not WANT to attend, in my opinion. That's a different story all in itself though. We started the morning off by discussing appearance. They pretty much hammered home about dressing the part, and that being half the battle. Unfortunately, there are too many people around this area and the surrounding associations that do not believe this. They feel as though a $9.99 pair of grey slacks from WalMart will be good enough for the entire season, when in fact (in my opinion), they should not even be used for one game. Next, we went over several situations and mechanics via a PowerPoint. We went over positions to be in for several scenarios. We talked about how to handle situations with coaches if and when they arose. The guys were very laid back, but you could also tell they definitely knew what they were talking about. Finally, we ventured out onto the field. Keep in mind, from my previous post, it was pretty cold and almost unbearable. We worked on our plate stances and we went over pivots at first base from the A position. This was pretty much the extent of our outside work, all which lasted about 20 minutes. All-in-all the camp was pretty good. My main goal with the camp was to get some connections to the lower college level games, and maybe get my foot in the door. The guy putting the clinic on, Bobby Entrekin, is an assignor for lower level colleges in the area, in addition to calling some Big 12 and I think he said Conference USA, but I could be wrong about the last conference. The other instructor was Chris Tiller, and I cannot remember the 3rd instructor's name. Warren, you may have heard of the Bobby Entrekin guy. He said he started out calling some college ball in North Carolina a little while back. I know it's a long shot, but you know what they say, "It's a small world..."

It does. I went to that camp you showed me and it was about 38* with about 15-20 MPH winds. Needless to say, it was too cold to be outside! The cold is a little different down here. We definitely have our "spotty" days. For example. Yesterday and today the highs have been around 50* with the average throughout the day being about 40-42*. Tomorrow it may be 80*. You never know about the weather down here, but when it's cold, it is almost always windy also, so it is extremely uncomfortable if you are not geared for it! February and March are our coldest months out of the year. Perfect for the baseball season, ehh?

Sorry, this is the particular pair of gloves I am referring to: http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MZ-100&Category_Code=UMPIRE-COLD-WEATHER-GEAR&Product_Count=0

I keep some water in a spray bottle, shoe polish, an old rag, and some shoe shine in my bag. I usually use the water to spray down the shoes, then wipe them off. Use the shoe polish to keep the shoes looking new, then the shoe shine is used to keep them looking nice and shiny! I do not have the Patent Leather shoes, but I have the newer Reeboks (plate and base). IMO, nothing looks better than a nice, clean, shiny pair of plate shoes!