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Hello fellow umpires, first post here from a brand-new ump-in-training: I am still having a tough time with this missed question on the NFHS test for 2014, would just like some insight on the decision please: Here is the question verbatim: "With a runner on third, the batter hits a high pop fly that drifts over foul territory. The third baseman is accidentally prevented from catching the ball by the head coach in the coach's box. (7-4-1f)" The possible answers are: A) Batter is out B) Runner at third is out C) Foul Ball D) The coach is restricted to the bench and the coaching box must remain unoccupied This test is online open book, so I always double checked my answers, so the NFHS 2014 rule that this refers to (7-4-1f) states: 7-4-1 A batter is also out as in above penalty or when: (The "above penalty" refers to 7-3-6 "The batter is out and runners return. If, in the umpire's judgment, interference prevented a possible double play, two players may be ruled out") (f) "any member of the offensive team or coach other than the runner(s) interferes with a fielder who is attempting to field a foul fly ball." So I answered with A. When I got the results of my test back, it said the correct answer was B. The question makes no mention of how many outs there were at TOP, and I just don't see penalizing the runner at 3rd for a play that he wasn't involved in at all. I ended up passing the test, but this one kinda bugged me a bit. Sorry for the long and hopefully not so confusing post (not bad for my first post, eh?). Any input is appreciated! CM

I had one of those "what the hell did I just do??" moments on Sat, a probable foot-in-mouth call that has me 2nd guessing all weekend. It was a decent U12 travel team with somewhat intense coaches, ok when things are going their way but can be redass when not. 2nd game of a double header in about 50 degree weather, though after sunset it stared to get into the mid 40's. This team is the home town team but acting as visiting team for this game. First game wasn't close, this one isn't either. R2 and R3, so I'm in C, two outs. Batter hits a rocket to the gap. I watch the ball and when it's obvious it won't be caught, come back to look at the touch at first. From my angle, the 1B coach slide steps into fair territory and pushes the runner along, both hands behind the back and extended to 2B. The other two runners score, everyone's celebrating, no one noticed anything but it's bugging me. I hesitated but I really thought he pushed him, so here I come with a bolt out of the blue, and the hilarity ensues. Asst coach vehemently protests but doesn't really come near the line. Head coach is furious and comes VERY close to by saying "that's retarded!!" - which is a term I despise for other reasons, but I digress - but to his credit immediately stopped at the "stop sign" and "That's enough!". But when going in to discuss which runs score with partner, I don't know if my memory started playing tricks on me or the protests got in my head or what, but the more I thought about it, he probably was just pointing emphatically to 2nd but the angle I had made it look like he pushed. And if he did push him, it was the slightest tap as he went by and had zippo effect on anything, since the batter was going to 2B anyway. In other words, it was one of those calls for something that gave no one any advantage, no one expected, no one understood, and no one wanted. A "Wanna Get Away" call. Oh, and the one run that was disallowed (R3 made it to home before the alleged infraction, which took place after the B/R made 1B)? Yea....it would have been the 13th run, which at the time would have made the score 13-3. In other words, the mercy rule run. And it was about 8:45 to 9 pm on a 45 degree night. Yep...I was that guy. [insert facepalm icon]

Happened to me yesterday. R1, two hopper to F9. I let BU know I'm headed to 3b. No play coming, so I announce and head home. As R1, now legally R3 rounds the bag, 3BC gives him the stop sign. R3 grabs onto the coach's arm to stop and returns to the bag. Play comes to a natural stop. Coach made no attempt to assist the runner.