Tagged his shirt?!

[JamesC]

R1, R2, 2 outs. Batter hits a rope to left center. R2 rounds 3rd and the throw is already almost on the infield. I have, unfortunately, worked myself out of position to make the call because I was on 1B line extended making sure R2 touched 3rd as he rounded. Anyways, the play comes in to the plate and the catcher dives back to tag the diving R2. Runner touches plate and comes up giving an emphatic "SAFE" sign, you know, as runners tend to do on close plays. Well, even though I had worked myself out of position, I was able to get myself into a position (although not the correct one) to get a good look and make the correct call. The catcher just got the runner by his shirt and I clearly seen it, so I bang him. Not a word from anyone, not even the fans, and it was the home team that I called out!

Next inning, I am a bit short on baseballs so I head to the dugout to fill up. The boy that I called out comes up to me smiling and says, "I thought I was gonna steal one from you blue. I thought you may think he missed me when I came up with the safe signal". I said, with a smile, "No, I seen him make the tag bud. He just got your jersey".

The head coach, which I do not know on a personal basis, but I have called quite a few games for him, says "Tagged his shirt?! Are you kidding me?! You called him out for being tagged on the shirt?! [at this point, this is a 2-1 ballgame] If I lose this game by a run over him being tagged on the jersey I'm gonna be pissed!"

Well, he says all this with a straight face, but this is a very intelligent and a very good coach, so I am quite certain he is kidding but still. At the same time, the player looks at me and says, "Don't pay him any attention, that was a good call!"

Just thought it was kind of funny at the time that he seemed so excited about a tag on the jersey.

[Umpire in Chief]

If a pitch hit his players (properly worn) jersey, he'd want to have him awarded first wouldn't he???

[JaxRolo]

If a pitch hit his players (properly worn) jersey, he'd want to have him awarded first wouldn't he???

I believe you are correct if the batter's shirt was hit but I think that in the scenario above the catcher tagged the runner trying to score on the shirt. Out!:home:

[semper_fi_72]

One Word

OUT!!!!!

[JamesC]

Yea, my assignor was working the game with me, and we have a pretty good relationship. After the game I was telling him about it and he said, "Well, you should have told him that you would be sure to call the other team safe on 'tagged shirts' from there on out" lol

[Waspman3]

Great story. Even though this umpiring has turned out to be a passion for me now offically in my 2nd year I don't have any stories to tell as of yet. This 1 you told,Priceless. Thanks

[padist4ump]

Last year in state LL finals (11-12) I had a slide play at the plate to end the game. Runner was out by 2-3 feet and I had HC come out to tell me the tag was "too high" (hit the kid in the upper chest) and was very emphatic about it. Anyone able to show me the rule about where the tag must be applied? Thought so...:banghead:

[mstaylor]

My answer is always,"He can tag him on top of the head if he does so before he touches the base!" :GL:

[HugoTafurst]

My answer is always,"He can tag him on top of the head if he does so before he touches the base!"

At times

I have been asked "Where did he tag him?".

My response (sometimes) is: "Coach, it's not a question of where, it's a question of when".

[okump96]

My answer is always,"He can tag him on top of the head if he does so before he touches the base!"

i actually had this happen on saturday and that is exactly what i told the coach when he came out on me.