chuck

Sorry it was Michael Keaton, not Crystal. Old enough to remember, almost.

And Billy Crystal, Teri Garr. Hit submit before finished.

Mr. Mom. Martin Mull

One last comment, I think. Under OBR, not sure in FED, the defense loses right to appeal any runners at any base if they "err" in appeal attempt by throwing the ball into dead ball territory, as in the OP.

Ok, my confusion is in thinking their initial throw to 3rd, while a part of continuous action, was there appeal of R3 leaving prior to first touch of catch.

Assuming R3 crossed home before ball went out of play, he could correct in OBR, but not Fed, right? My question is does he need to? Does defense get to appeal after ball is returned to field and put in play(OBR) or make a dead ball appeal(Fed) when the reason it became dead is their throw out of play?

Can R3 correct his base running error now that the ball is dead? Defense erred in appeal attempt, which was there throw to 3rd.

The "dangler" is an important piece of safety equipment. It protects the catcher's throat from a thrown bat when he looks up for a foul or fair pop fly (that's why it needs to dangle), as well as foul balls and bounced pitches. It's a rule that I enforce. I don't want to be there when a player is injured and not wearing one.

Regardless of level, this is amateur baseball and regadless of what the knucklehead did wrong (scoring needlessly), he does not deserve to be injured. If I know about it, I have to take steps to discourage it. Like it was said, I don't want to leave there after an injury with the knowledge I might could have prevented it. His teammates can inform him of the error of his ways.

David Price, Tampa Bay Rays, pitches exactly like described from windup. On TV you have a limited view of him, usually top half. So, not positive something isn't moving, but looks like a stop. Kids copy what they see. Kinda like all the mini steps and gyrations MLB'rs do now while coming to set position.

Right before he started his move to third, there might have been a very slight flinch. Not even sure if U1 could have seen it. But, my question was, is there anything wrong with the move to third as he did it? He stepped directly to the base, but never broke his hands from the set position,almost paused, then wheeled and threw toward first. Probably nothing, but he was so deliberate that it looked odd.

LL Jrs. I'm in 1B coacing box. Not umpire. R1, less that 2 strikes. R1 running on pitch batter swings, foul tip. Signalled and hammered as a strike by PU. Someone, not sure who, yells foul ball. R1 now R2 starts trotting back toward 1st. I'm yelling to get back on the bag, he's yelling but he tipped it... Finally he gets back to 2nd before the tag. DC call time and starts yelling it's a foul ball to me, because I'm closer, I guess. I said no, it's a foul tip, live ball. He says, but it's not the 3rd strike. And he's coached for a long time...

Could the call be corrected if a proper protest is made?

UmpJM, thanks very much. This is another great form, and easy to use.

Thanks to all, and especially for the forms. Chuck

Does anyone have a form they have used to evaluate umpires. Local league thinking of starting its own group. Obviously, who and when should do an evaluation of an umpires performance needs to be worked out, as well. Any advice is welcome.

Hopefully, to be read, and left home when leaving for the game. Last night, while coaching a LL Jrs game, had a batter struck on the bottom hand. "Thump" on hand, then "Thump" on PU's CP. Call was foul ball, "time" for discussion, help from BU, call stands. He missed it, but no biggee. Back at 3B coaching box, opposing coach says it, here it comes, "But you know the hands are part of the bat". Sorry to admit it, but I did pick up one of his bats and drop it at his feet and asked him to show me the hands. Later, PU tells me he saw the batter separate his hands, and by the velocity that he was struck in the chest, it must have come off a bat. He's a good guy, and I'm sure he believed it. We didn't show him the large, round, purple ball print under the batters left batting glove, that he kept iced most of the rest of the game.

Yes, and I see how they got crossed up, as RF moved late, and slightly toward CF. If BU thought it was his, wouldn't he move "out", and the fact he didn't should have clued PU?

Most of my experience is small field. During full size field pregame, have been told by more experienced umpires that while BU is in B or C, he will have catch/no catch responsibilities in the "V". So, right or wrong that is my assumption. Was coaching LL Jr's last night, 2 man, R2, no outs. Umpire in C. Routine fly ball (or should have been) to right. RF misjudges, then comes in at last minute to make a knee high, snow cone catch... maybe. Has ball, how secure is up to someone's judgement, and isn't the real point here. Continues 2 steps, then attempts transfer, my judgement, and drops ball. BU never moves from C, doesn't make a signal, R2 returns to bag, and batter runs to and stops a 1st. Still no call, although BU turns and looks at PU. Time, what you got PU? Conference, answer from PU "Ball is on the ground". Ok, play on. Question is, what would the proper mechanics be? I understand that I wasn't at pregame. Since BU didn't go out, then I assume he has tag up at 2nd, and PU has catch/no catch. Is no call appropriate in this sitch?

I'm also a lurker, and post when I have a question or comment. I learn tons from this and other sites. I have been umpiring only a year, all youth ball within the LL organization. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to umpire at the District (9-10's, 11's, 11-12's), and Sectional and State Tournaments (9-10's). I am convinced that I was much better prepared for those games because of this and other sites. Recently, I told someone that is interested in umpiring youth ball about this site. I saw him last night, and he told me he had been frequenting it, and couldn't believe how much he is getting from it. Keep up the good work!

Thank you. PU probably had it hitting batter or catcher, since he ruled quickly. I missed that, and others thought it was foul for just first hitting in foul territory. I was 99% sure, but not wanting to press it with others so sure, themselves.

Attending a Rays' game on Sunday a chopper fielded by F5 and thrown to F3 for out, with BR trying to beat the throw, was decared foul and BR returned to the plate. F5 was clearly in fair territory, charging on the slow roller. I didn't see the ball hit batter in box. Another spectator said he saw the ball hit the ground behind the plate before bounding fair, and PU immediately called foul. I know balls hitting plate, then going fair, and balls foul on 1st or 3rd base lines that return to fair territory before reaching the bags are fair balls. Is one that hits ground behind plate foul?

After a look at the book, I agree with Treedog, probably. Interference, R2 out, deadball so no catch, BR at 1st. Or, no interference since SS made the catch, obs on SS and R2 remains. Probably the first as it awards the defense, that has done the least wrong on the play.

As I just said on another thread, these are the shins I use. They are relatively comfortable and provide excellent protection. They fit under combo pants. They do, however, rub the pants on the outside, where the hook goes into the D-ring. I think it is the 2nd one up from botom. Not sure why, but it is doing it on both legs. I noticed it and first thought I had gotten the poly material too hot when touching up with iron. But, on the inside, the material is fraying, from friction with the hooks. I may try reversing the legs to see if they fray on the inside, hopefully, not catching the hooks on eachother in an embarrassing mishap;0). Has anyone used the Davis-shins? They look very comfortable. Do they stay in place with only 2 straps. Adequate protection?

I completely agree with most of what has been said here. In fact, the lower the level, the more protection you may need. This is my first full year working games, so all youth. Little League Minors, Majors and Juniors. I get hit way more in Minors. Probably less chance of very serious injury, but you are going to get hit a lot. Some of the 10's can throw hard, and a lot of the catchers can't catch up. I took one in the left shoulder that the catcher never touched, and one center of the chest that just ticked the bat. Had I been wearing a "ribbed" cp, I would have likely been down and at least out of the game. My old original WV did the job on both. Also, lower levels require plate shoes, for sure. I think most shins that cover will do, comfort is what goes up with $. i have I3 shins, and they work fine, except the hooks on the clasp seem to be wearing my combo's. Any suggestions? I thought about wearing them on opposite legs to see if they rub on the inside, or putting athletic tape on the hook.