mac266

NFHS does NOT require intent on batter's interference. Think of the more typical swing-and-miss with follow through taking the batter over the plate when F2 is trying to throw out a stealing runner. The batter does NOT have to intend to get in the way; he merely has to hinder or impede the defense's ability to make the play.

Time play, no run.

I'm obviously a huge fan based on my profile pic. That one is actually navy blue, and was given to me by a retiring umpire. My black one is by Out West Officials, and I highly recommend them. You bring a significant amount of class to the diamond when you walk out in a plate coat (I've overheard players commenting that "we got the good umpires" without ever having seen me work before). I also recommend getting it tailored.

Rodeo clown....I'm laughing so hard right now!!!!

You're definitely not the only one. I've only been approached in the parking lot twice. One ended up in the police being called, and the other was a Karen to whom I threatened to call the police. Both instances resulted in reports to the sanctioning body and the offender's banishment from future games.

It absolutely matters when someone thinks it's a foul ball rather than a foul tip.

I was taught to do it in Colorado. I work JuCo and high school. I'm of the opinion that using the mechanic shows coaches that we saw what happened -- we were not asleep, and we know the rule -- and that we are no-calling it.

You covered it at the plate meeting; the liability is on the coach. I wouldn't pick that booger!

I'm going! Sorry I started a new thread before I saw this one.

I'm out almost all of June due to military commitments. I just took command of a brigade, and I'll have people in the field everywhere from California to New Jersey, and I'm visiting all of them. So I chose the 2-man clinic in September.

I just signed up

You beat me to it, but I was going with a duck.

Who is going? I just signed up and paid. For those following, I have been medically cleared to umpire again. I got in a whopping four games this season, all at the high school level. It slowed down my advancement, but there was no alternative.

If I'm umpiring at the JuCo level (two-man) and would like to get to NCAA division II (3-man), which one of these clinics would you recommend?

Yep, live ball. This is not a balk; it's an error, and we don't kill a play on an error.