SATURDAY

So here is the situation: Bases are loaded with 1 out. (early in the game) Batter hits a weak grounder to the pitcher. Pitcher throws to first base (dont ask me why?) and the batter-runner is called out. R3 begins running home and F3 throws the ball to F2. F2 does not tag the runner but keeps a foot on home thinking it is a force out. Plate umpire (dont ask me why) also thinks it is a force out. Calls the runner out and both teams think it is an inning ending double play. Everyone returns to the dugout and a coach mentions to the plate umpire that that shouldnt have been an out. The plate umpire then realizes it was not an out and says the runner should be safe at home. The final ruling ended up being: run scores, the runners from the team at bat go back into the dugout and abandon their attempt to run the bases. 3 outs. What should have happened in this sort of train wreck situation? Thanks, Dom

Yes sir ... IT WAS A BEER I laughed so hard when I saw this. The look on Shane Victorino's face just says it all. Hes like "WTF MAN???". This is classic.

I also have to go with nothing. Unless there was an obvious intent from the on deck batter to get in the way, there is no interference.

If a fan becomes so obnoxious as to where I can no longer concentrate, I feel it is necessary to stop the game and resolve the issue. I umpired a small tournament championship game and a fan was shouting at me the entire game. When his son came to the plate and he started to shout curse words. I immeadiately confronted the fan and told him I would gladly give him my umpires gear and he could umpire the rest of the game for me. Like magic he changed from a rude fan to complimenting me on what a wonderful job I was doing. I suspect alcohol was also involved. Normally if there are rude fans, my league president is around to take care of the issue. Lesson: Unless fans are threatening you, shouting rude or obscene things, or alcohol is involved, try to ignore them.

Haha Ive learned this lesson. I was doing a little league juniors game this season. Im PU. We are working a 2 man crew. Kid comes up hits a double. Into to second with the throw and my base umpire makes the safe call. I put my mask back on and get behind the catcher. Batter comes up. R2 leads off. Pitcher comes set. Shortstop runs up and tags R2. I was surprised at first and I think my base umpire was too. He must not have been paying any attention and not seen that the ball never came back to the pitcher. I couldnt have seen as I was walking back behind the catcher and grabing my mask. Anyways, I immeadiately call a balk and explain to the pitcher that he cannot come astride the rubber without the ball. I guess sometimes the players can even fool the umpires if they're not watching.

I agree. I see countless pitchers in the Little League 9/10 year old division pitching illegally every game. Dont get me wrong, Im not a mean guy thats gonna call an illegal pitch on something extremely technical. Even if I do call it, I take some time to go out to the mound and tell the kids what theyre doing wrong and how they can avoid it. Like you said, it really is a shame. Some umpires let the kids continue to pitch like this. I umpired over 30 Little League Junior Division games this year and it really dissapoints me to see kids 13 and 14 years old making the same mistakes as the little ones. Then again, it may boil down to poor coaching. But having an umpire who lets it slide certainly doesnt help.

Yeah, Its not a balk. Feinting to 3rd and 2nd are legal while in contact with the rubber.

Mstaylor, Thank you very much for this explanation. I had a brain fade for a minute there. I was thinking of a runner stealing home.

I thought the batter couldnt be called out for interfernce with a fielder making a throw unless his actions were intentional. The kid made an attempt to avoid the interference you said. Maybe Im thinking of something else???? Can someone explain how this works to me?

Haha. One of my High School ball games I didn't get away with any twitching. Just that one umpire though. I was warned for probably the first 4 innings. I guess he finally got fed up and called me for a few balks. He said that everytime I tried to peek over to first, I moved my shoulders just the slightest bit. Oh well.

I also agree. Totally legal with no one on. Take a look on youtube of some of the old times pitchers. Man! They had some pretty crazy windups back in the day. I think you'll find a few who do the double pump a lot.

Hello! Im new here too. Im looking forward to learning some new things and some interesting discussions.