Set position at or below chin

[umpire_scott]

Does OBR allow for pitchers to come set above the chin? I see MLB players and college players come set around the forehead all the time, with no calls. In FED it states clearly that the set position must be at the chin or below.

I've also seen youth players modeling the pros and seldom do I see other umpires call it so I've let it go as well.

[Replacematt]

Does OBR allow for pitchers to come set above the chin? I see MLB players and college players come set around the forehead all the time, with no calls. In FED it states clearly that the set position must be at the chin or below.

I've also seen youth players modeling the pros and seldom do I see other umpires call it so I've let it go as well.

Teaching a man to fish...

Do you see any prohibition in rule 8?

[bam]

Is Matt related to Rich? :wave:

[Rich Ives]

Is Matt related to Rich?

I', a coach. A coach's job is to teach. How to fish fits that.

[UmpJM]

FED is the only rule code that proscribes coming set with the hands above the chin.

It's a pointless restriction and an inane rule.

JM

[umpire_scott]

Does OBR allow for pitchers to come set above the chin? I see MLB players and college players come set around the forehead all the time, with no calls. In FED it states clearly that the set position must be at the chin or below.

I've also seen youth players modeling the pros and seldom do I see other umpires call it so I've let it go as well.

Teaching a man to fish...

Do you see any prohibition in rule 8?

Sorry but being new to this site I'm not sure what your answer means. I don't do any games using OBR.

[umpire_scott]

FED is the only rule code that proscribes coming set with the hands above the chin.

It's a pointless restriction and an inane rule.

JM

So calling that in a game under FED rules would make one an OOO?

[Jocko]

FED is the only rule code that proscribes coming set with the hands above the chin.

It's a pointless restriction and an inane rule.

JM

that never gets called. Nitpicking to the Nth degree.

[umpire_scott]

So how is a new umpire supposed to know when it's "following the rules" and "nitpicking"? I see people quoting the rule and casebook all the time. Yet here is a case where it's clearly a rule, and it's black and white not interpretation needed, and I'm being told that it's "nitpicking to the nth degree" to call it.

[bam]

Umpire_scott - The only group here in CT that plays by FED is high school. In order to be certified for HS games we are required to attend training. This is a point that was speicifically covered in our training. Also part of the training was UmpJM's remark about the rule and a stern warning - "Do NOT call this!" No one asked what other rules we should ignore, if memory serves :notworthy:

[umpire_scott]

Umpire_scott - The only group here in CT that plays by FED is high school. In order to be certified for HS games we are required to attend training. This is a point that was speicifically covered in our training. Also part of the training was UmpJM's remark about the rule and a stern warning - "Do NOT call this!" No one asked what other rules we should ignore, if memory serves

Well if it is covered in the training then that is fine.

[JaxRolo]

Some guys go to a game and Umpire (Upper case) and some go umpire (lower case)

[UMP45]

Rule 6-1-3 pg 39 in 2012 rule book says "glove" at or below his chin. This means any part of the glove. Calling this is just another way of saying "see I know the rules"! :lookup

[Replacematt]

Does OBR allow for pitchers to come set above the chin? I see MLB players and college players come set around the forehead all the time, with no calls. In FED it states clearly that the set position must be at the chin or below.

I've also seen youth players modeling the pros and seldom do I see other umpires call it so I've let it go as well.

Teaching a man to fish...

Do you see any prohibition in rule 8?

Sorry but being new to this site I'm not sure what your answer means. I don't do any games using OBR.

You asked if it was legal in OBR. I told you to look in rule 8 for a prohibition, which is where it would be found, if there was one.

[Haid D' Salaami]

So how is a new umpire supposed to know when it's "following the rules" and "nitpicking"? ll it.

Time & experience..... and talking to the right people.. Yes being a new guy, you are told ( or read the rules) and think you have to uphold every rule written to a T.... but as time goes on, you will learn what to call and what to let go..Things like a pitcher is really, really to close to a No stop balk.. talk to your catcher and tell him to talk to the pitcher about stopping better.

[noumpere]

So how is a new umpire supposed to know when it's "following the rules" and "nitpicking"? I see people quoting the rule and casebook all the time. Yet here is a case where it's clearly a rule, and it's black and white not interpretation needed, and I'm being told that it's "nitpicking to the nth degree" to call it.

As an experienced umpire once told me:

If I call it its Following The Rules. If I woundnt of called it then its Nitpicking. lol

[UMP45]

Know the rules, know how to apply the rules, and know the spirit and intent of the rules.

[umpire_scott]

My problem is always how do you justify that to a coach? "I know it's in the rules but we don't call it because that's not the 'spirit of the rule'" won't sit well with a lot of coaches.

[JaxRolo]

My problem is always how do you justify that to a coach? "I know it's in the rules but we don't call it because that's not the 'spirit of the rule'" won't sit well with a lot of coaches.

I have never had a coach complain about a F1 holding the glove to high.

[umpire_scott]

My problem is always how do you justify that to a coach? "I know it's in the rules but we don't call it because that's not the 'spirit of the rule'" won't sit well with a lot of coaches.

I have never had a coach complain about a F1 holding the glove to high.

I never have either, which is actually surprising to me. I'd think some coach would try and use it to his benefit.

[Umpire in Chief]

I've had so many balks when HS guys hold the glove at their face too close then have to move their glove to look at a runner on second or even third.

[mstaylor]

I have and if it happens then handle it the same as a F3 being in foul. I can certainly enforce that but it will be for both pitchers. Usually every team has at least one kid that sets high.

It used to say that the ball had to be below the chin. My state interpreter was on the national committee at one point and tried to show how stupid a rule it was by pointing out that it was impossible to tell where the ball was in the glove. So they changed it to the glove had to be below the chin. It was a facepalm moment for him. His intention was to get rid of the prohibition but they didn't get it.

[Replacematt]

My problem is always how do you justify that to a coach? "I know it's in the rules but we don't call it because that's not the 'spirit of the rule'" won't sit well with a lot of coaches.

I have never had a coach complain about a F1 holding the glove to high.

I never have either, which is actually surprising to me. I'd think some coach would try and use it to his benefit.

I actually did a few weeks ago. I think it may have indirectly led to his ejection the next inning, because he couldn't slip one past me.

[treydawgmt]

I've never called it, like was mentioned before, it is ANY part of the glove AT or below ANY part of the chin. However, if I was umpiring a FED game and the pitcher came set with the glove above his head, I'd probably call that. It is no longer "in the spirit" of the rule. I've just never seen that in any game, so it's not an issue.

[umpire_scott]

I've never called it, like was mentioned before, it is ANY part of the glove AT or below ANY part of the chin. However, if I was umpiring a FED game and the pitcher came set with the glove above his head, I'd probably call that. It is no longer "in the spirit" of the rule. I've just never seen that in any game, so it's not an issue.

I've seen many, many kids that have the bottom of the glove at about their eyes or nose level. It is clearly a violation of the rule. There is a clear space of about 4 inches between the bottom of the glove and the top of the chin. So the ANY part aspect is out the window. I've never called it either and have no intentions of doing so. I'm just waiting for a coach to bring it up. Knock on wood.