BigBlue4u

FYI, When the outside protector was used by American League umpires, each major league umpire room did have one short and one long umpire protector available. That saved umpires from having their protectors transported from city to city.

And, speaking of garbage content, this is something I posted earlier and is a perfect example of why one must be careful of utilizing what information is posted on various forums. I will give this guy a lot of credit for so cleverly putting this together, but it is pure 100%B.S. Why MLB Umpires Keep Their Hands in Their Pockets MLB umpires often keep their hands in their pockets during games not because of a rule, but because of standardized umpire mechanics and the need to maintain a consistent, professional appearance. 1. Standardized mechanics and “choreography” In Major League Baseball, umpires use a fixed set of movement patterns to cover the field efficiently. This “choreography” is a prearranged sequence of positioning and movement that ensures all umpires are in the right place at the right time to make calls Society for American Baseball Research. When they are not actively making a call, umpires often stand with their hands in their pockets to keep their posture neutral and ready to move quickly. 2. Posture and readiness Keeping hands in pockets helps umpires maintain a balanced, alert stance. This posture allows them to shift positions smoothly when a play develops, whether moving into foul territory, covering a base, or stepping into the outfield Society for American Baseball Research. It also prevents them from appearing distracted or fidgety. 3. Professional appearance and focus Umpires are expected to be composed and authoritative. Hands in pockets give them a more controlled, “on duty” look, which helps them project confidence and authority to players, coaches, and fans MLB. It also minimizes unnecessary movement that could draw attention away from the game. 4. Consistency across crews Since MLB umpires follow a league-wide set of mechanics, this hand-in-pocket stance is part of a uniform, professional presentation. It’s a subtle but important part of their “uniform” — both in appearance and in how they move and stand on the field Society for American Baseball Research. In short, umpires keep their hands in their pockets to maintain proper posture, follow standardized mechanics, and project a professional, ready-to-act demeanor during games.

That comment certainly put a smile on my face. 🙂

I totally agree with immediately telling the coach, "Go to my partner, he made the call." Two reasons. First, you may not know the reason for your partner's call. A pulled foot you did not see, a dropped ball you did not see, etc. Second, the longer you talk, the more unverified information the coach can pass on to your partner. e.g. "Your own partner told me he missed it." If you immediately direct the coach to talk with your partner, that can't happen. And, while I'm on the subject, unfortunately, you may be working with a partner you do not trust. In this case, if your partner comes to you then goes to the coach, you go with your partner to the coach. That way you can be sure your partner passes on to the coach what you actually said. In fact, it's probably a good idea to always go with your partner who goes to a coach after talking with you.

👍 Very good. The runners need to be protected in this type of situation.

I would direct him to another line of work!

Bobby Cox, Hall of Fame manager of Atlanta Braves, dies at 84. One thing about Bobby, he fought fiercely for his players, getting a MLB record of 162 ejections.

Runners at first and third, nobody out. Batter hits a high pop fly that takes the shortstop about 10 feet to the outfield grass. The left fielder then calls the shortstop off the play and deliberately drops the ball. The left fielder then picks the ball up and throws to second to force the runner from first. The ball is then relayed to first base ahead of the batter-runner. While all of this is going on, the runner from third scores. What's the call?

And, the one thing that many umpires don't take into consideration, "...and interferes with the play."

This is from the internet and it's the biggest load of (insert your own word) I've ever seen concerning umpiring: Why MLB Umpires Keep Their Hands in Their Pockets MLB umpires often keep their hands in their pockets during games not because of a rule, but because of standardized umpire mechanics and the need to maintain a consistent, professional appearance. 1. Standardized mechanics and “choreography” In Major League Baseball, umpires use a fixed set of movement patterns to cover the field efficiently. This “choreography” is a prearranged sequence of positioning and movement that ensures all umpires are in the right place at the right time to make calls Society for American Baseball Research. When they are not actively making a call, umpires often stand with their hands in their pockets to keep their posture neutral and ready to move quickly. 2. Posture and readiness Keeping hands in pockets helps umpires maintain a balanced, alert stance. This posture allows them to shift positions smoothly when a play develops, whether moving into foul territory, covering a base, or stepping into the outfield Society for American Baseball Research. It also prevents them from appearing distracted or fidgety. 3. Professional appearance and focus Umpires are expected to be composed and authoritative. Hands in pockets give them a more controlled, “on duty” look, which helps them project confidence and authority to players, coaches, and fans MLB. It also minimizes unnecessary movement that could draw attention away from the game. 4. Consistency across crews Since MLB umpires follow a league-wide set of mechanics, this hand-in-pocket stance is part of a uniform, professional presentation. It’s a subtle but important part of their “uniform” — both in appearance and in how they move and stand on the field Society for American Baseball Research. In short, umpires keep their hands in their pockets to maintain proper posture, follow standardized mechanics, and project a professional, ready-to-act demeanor during games.

Which tells you all you need to know about some of the lowlifes that populate various websites.

The general guideline for determining interference on this type of play is that a fielder within a step and a reach of a batted ball is considered in the act of fielding.

NFHS rule 1-4-4 states: "The school's official uniform (including uniform pants, jersey, visible undergarmets, socks, stockings, caps and headwear)....." does not mention batting gloves. Therefore, I would say it's safe to conclude that batting gloves would be classified as equipment.

Unfortunately, this is where we are. When this happens, the time for diplomacy is long past. On the coach demanding You GOTTA GET HELP your first response, in a calm voice is, "Coach, talk to me like that again and you will be ejected." If you get into a situation like you described, get both coaches together and tell them to get their teams and themselves un der control. And tell them if they can't do it, you'll do it for them. Most of the time situations can be handled with a little diplomacy. This is not one of them.

Need more information. How did the runner interfere with the play when he was 30 feet from second base? The answer to your last sentence is, "Yes."

Not from me. You brought up some good points!

So, Velho, are you saying that throwing a bat or dropping a bat are one and the same? If so, I have to disagree. The only time dropping a bat would be interference would be if it was dropped intentionally and in a way to interfere with a fielder.

But not in NFHS.

It's one or the other. On one hand, he doesn't know the rule. On the other hand, he does know the rule and is trying to determine if you know the rule.

And your response will be: "That may be true coach, but this is what we are doing today!" The coach is giving you unverified information along the lines of "We've been using that bat all year," "You are the only umpire who has called that all year." Etc., etc., etc.

Could this be the moment MLB has been waiting for? A chance to unload C. B. Bucknor and save face for everyone? Here's how the news release would read: Major league baseball has retired long-time umpire C.B. Bucknor for health reasons. The 63-year old Bucknor was injured when he took a 100 mph foul tip off his mask and had to be removed from the Milwaukee at Tampa Bay game. He has not returned since the April 1st incident. In its statement announcing the decision, MLB thanked Bucknor for his 30 years of major league service. .

Reminds me of another "grand slam" comment by a coach. After a whacker at first base in which the runner was called out, a lively discussion ensued between the first base umpire and the first base coach. After several moments, the coach said "Hold it a second. I have to go get something." The umpire asked what the coach needed to get. "Some Vaseline," he replied. It took the umpire about 4/5 of a second to get the meaning of that comment and what followed was a spectacular ejection.

Am I missing something? Wouldn't it be better to say, "Ducking is considered a violation if it interferes with the play?

Actually, this rule helps the umpires more than anybody. By making the ball immediately dead, nothing can happen, and there is no issue with the placing of runners, etc. And, trust me, this rule is sometimes even misapplied in MLB. When discussing the high school balk rule, people often say, well, what if the batter hits a home run, etc. etc. Well, here's some news. Study after study has revealed that in the overwhelming majority of balk calls, the ball is not even hit.

Should be when the ball starts to come down.