pl8ump1012

NFHS Ruleset. R1 and R3. Two outs. RHP F1 pitching from the set position. He steps and feints to third, turns to throw to F3, but he's fooled R1, who has started for 2B. F1 does not release his throw to F3, and instead, disengages, and throws to F4 who is now at 2B. Rundown ensues and R1 is tagged out before R3 crosses home plate. No run. Should this have been a balk? For clarity's sake, his third-to-first move would have been a clean one had he thrown to first base. I'm asking if he balked by not throwing to first, and instead stepped off and threw to second.

Yeah, I don't think the coach was trying to bait me into throwing him under the bus; I just didn't want to do so with my response if I said, "no, I've never heard of that one before."

This is NFHS, in case that matters for the situation, though I don't believe it does. We had an unexpected delay of about 5 minutes before the start of the game. HT Pitcher had already thrown his warmups when the delay started; I (BU) had already taken my position in A. HT manager is chatting with 1B coach, then comes over to me and very casually asks me "He [PU] made him [pitcher] remove his eye black. Is that a thing? Pitchers can't have eye black?" I wasn't sure how to answer, so I just said, "can i say 'no comment'?" then added "my guess is he judged it to be distracting." HT coach gave a "hmm... ok" and walked back to his dugout. That was the end of that. My two questions: 1. IS that a thing? Should I be having pitchers remove their eye black? Was I right that this can fall under umpire judgement about whether or not it's distracting? 2. If I was answering fully honestly, I would have said "that's not a thing. He can wear eye black" (though question 1 above acknowledges that I'm open to being told I'm wrong), but I wasn't about to throw my partner under the bus before the game even started. What's the right way to respond to a coach when they ask an honest question about something your partner ruled on that you disagreed with? (something like this, not something like safe/out, rules interp., etc.)

NFHS Definition 2-16-2 A foul tip is a batted ball that goes directly to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught by the catcher. It shall be called a strike and the ball is in play.

(Chicago area) Right about now I'd be putting my gear on for game 2 of my DH, which would be my first dish game of the year. Instead, that game 2 is now my 6th cancelled game of the spring, compared to only one that I've actually gotten to work (bases). I really hope it warms up and the rain stops soon. I want to call strikes. Rant over.

It's too late for me for this year, but for future reference, where/how do I get to do this? I'm primarily a HS and travel umpire. Do I call local HS head coaches and ask to come to some practices? Something else? How common is that? I thought about doing that this year (my first year after many years away from the game), but figured it wasn't something that other blues really did.

Just some random questions for entertainment purposes. I'm curious to see how the opinions shape out around these. Have fun!

I'm interested in going to Cooperstown, but have to evaluate if I can afford to miss the week of work from my "regular" job. I know we're not supposed to discuss fees publicly on the forum. How can I research a reasonable fee (and whether or not that reasonable fee includes or is in addition to travel costs)? Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated. DMs totally ok. Thank you!

I saw this situation in one of those MLB ejection compilation videos. I didn't think to ask this question here until later, so I don't still have the video link - sorry. Since the video was MLB, we're talking OBR; I don't think other rule sets would have different outcomes, but would be interested in NFHS if there are any differences. R1, No outs, 3-2 count on the batter. R1 breaks for second on the pitch. Batter checks his swing, and PU calls the pitch a ball. Because that's ball 4, U2 does not signal safe/out on the "steal" (read: R1's advance on the base on balls), though if it WAS a steal attempt, R1 clearly would have been out on F2's/F4's throw/tag. Defense then appeals the check swing, and U1 signals that the batter did attempt to swing. The base on balls becomes a strikeout, but now the defense is angry that R1 should have been out on the steal attempt. Should U2 have signaled safe/out on the steal/base on balls IN CASE the checked swing was ultimately called a strike, or was he right to make no call? My inclination is that he correctly made no call. R1 could have slowed down when PU called the pitch a ball (he didn't, but he could have), and that would have put him at an unfair disadvantage on the play at 2B in the case that the pitch's call was reversed.

Fellow blues, As I've mentioned in a few previous posts, I'm getting back into umpiring after a 12-year hiatus. While I'm primarily excited about it, I'm also anxious to make a good impression, both on and off the field. My association's spring clinic is coming up, and I'm wondering what I should be wearing and bringing to it. To bring, I know I definitely want a notebook, pen, mask (they're offering cage work). Anything else? No idea what I should be wearing. Full uni? Jeans and a polo? Association cap? Any other advice for making a good impression at the clinic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

While doing some research into CDP, I found Cooperstown All Star Village as well. Are these affiliated? Does anyone have any details about differences in umpire experiences? Are there other options besides these two? I'm interested in doing something like a CDP experience, but only have one week of the summer to do it - I want to make sure I'm making the best choice I can. Thanks!

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for, @Velho!

Thank you both. I definitely am studying the rule book too; I like the idea of coming up with my own scenarios of what I could come up with for each one to help apply the learning. That said, I still like the idea of practice tests/quizzes (applying the rules to scenarios someone else comes up with, vs. coming up with scenarios that apply to the rules) so if anyone has ideas for that, I'm still open for that. I really appreciate the ideas/advice!

What, if any, online resources do you recommend for rules study? This forum is great for anecdotal/situational rules discussion, and I've been using umpirebible quite a bit, but I'm also looking for other options. I would especially like resources that have practice tests/quizzes.

I'm getting back into umpiring after about 12 years away from the game. I'll do mostly high school ball. As I am relearning the rules, I've come across something new (to me): the written warning/restriction to the bench for the manager. Question 1: Am I actually handing the manager a written warning? Does that mean I need to carry something to have available in case I need it (and is it an official form/document/something?) That seems impractical. Or, and I'm guessing this is it, is the "written" part just on my game card - a record for me - and I verbally tell the manager it's a "written" warning? Question 2: If manager is restricted to the bench and has a legitimate question for me, what's he to do? Do I stand outside the dugout and talk (seems like something I don't want to do)? Can he leave the dugout to come talk with my permission? Does he lose the right to ask (even legitimate) questions if he's restricted? Does an assistant coach take over his role as the one who can talk to me? Thanks!

Thank you all for the answers - this is extremely helpful!

A. Is that a universally accepted interpretation? B. So pitcher is still a pitcher (not a fielder), right? And an overthrow that goes out of play is only one base? Thanks for your answers!

I tried searching for an answer to this but wasn't able to really find one that makes a ton of sense to me. Also, I apologize as I sense that it's a pretty basic question. I'm getting back into umpiring after a looooong (12-year) hiatus, and this is one that in my younger days confused me, and I'm still not sure about. R1, RHP I understand that if the pitcher doesn't disengage the rubber, he must step directly toward a base for a pickoff attempt. I often see pitchers do what some might call a spin-step (not sure if that's the right identifier). In a weak attempt to describe it, it seems like it's all one motion, the pitcher moves his pivot foot forward (from himself, so toward the opposite base), spins (really pivots on that pivot foot), then steps directly (with his free foot) to first, and throws. My questions: That doesn't count as disengaging the rubber, right? He's not stepping back off the rubber, he moves his pivot foot from one spot on the rubber to another (albeit very close) spot on the rubber. So therefore, if he throws out of play, it's only one base, right? He's moving his pivot foot (hard to say if it's before or simultaneously to moving his free foot), so why isn't this a balk? If he truly kept his pivot foot planted, he'd be turning his body (and knee on the pivot leg) 180 degrees, right? Again, sorry if this is super basic, or if I've described the pitcher's move inadequately. If it doesn't make sense, I can try to describe it differently.