New Members Trying to Help New Umpires

[Jake&Aaron]

Hey Everyone!

My name is Jake, and my buddy Aaron and I have put together a website to help people who want to become umpires. Our goal was to cover some basic information people need to get started, and also point them toward useful resources like this forum and association websites. We also put together an updated version of the camps and clinics list that was on the midwest ump blog.

Now we're looking for feedback. We want to hear what you guys think we would make the site more valuable to new and aspiring umps. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The site is called Referee Umpire School.

Jake and Aaron

http://www.referee-umpireschool.com

[JaxRolo]

WOW. I really do not like the name referee or the whistle on the page talking about Umpires.

[mstaylor]

A nice idea, some of it looks good, some of the videos I would remove as bad, others just make sure they are not copywrite infringement problems. I took the obstruction/interference test, scored 100% but that is because I know what you were trying to ask. A couple were technically not correct or at least not properly explained. Number three was flat wrong. The answer doesn't match the sitch and it was explained wrong.

Interference & Obstruction Quiz

Question 3

CORRECT

In this situation there are runners at the corners, with the runner at first attempting to steal second. As the catcher throws the ball to nail the runner, the shortstop recognizes that the man from third is coming home on the throw. The shortstop wisely cuts off the throw and throws home. The catcher during the play at the plate is interfered with by the batter. What is the call?

A

The ball is ruled dead at the time of the interference and the runner is ruled out at home. The runner who was on second at the time of the interference is allowed to advance to third.

The ball is ruled dead at the time of the interference and the batter is ruled out. The runner who tried to score at home is sent back to third and the runner who advanced to third is sent back to second.

Question 3 Explanation:

The Answer is B. The ball is dead at the time of the interference and the batter is ruled out. The runner coming home is sent back to third. The runner who advanced to third is sent back to second. The steal of second is allowed to stand because the advancement occurred before the interference by the batter.

Now we will see if anybody gives the proper answer.

[Thunderheads]

A nice idea, some of it looks good, some of the videos I would remove as bad, others just make sure they are not copywrite infringement problems. I took the obstruction/interference test, scored 100% but that is because I know what you were trying to ask. A couple were technically not correct or at least not properly explained. Number three was flat wrong. The answer doesn't match the sitch and it was explained wrong.

Interference & Obstruction Quiz

Question 3

CORRECT

In this situation there are runners at the corners, with the runner at first attempting to steal second. As the catcher throws the ball to nail the runner, the shortstop recognizes that the man from third is coming home on the throw. The shortstop wisely cuts off the throw and throws home. The catcher during the play at the plate is interfered with by the batter. What is the call?

A

The ball is ruled dead at the time of the interference and the runner is ruled out at home. The runner who was on second at the time of the interference is allowed to advance to third.

The ball is ruled dead at the time of the interference and the batter is ruled out. The runner who tried to score at home is sent back to third and the runner who advanced to third is sent back to second.

Question 3 Explanation:

The Answer is B. The ball is dead at the time of the interference and the batter is ruled out. The runner coming home is sent back to third. The runner who advanced to third is sent back to second. The steal of second is allowed to stand because the advancement occurred before the interference by the batter.

Now we will see if anybody gives the proper answer.

No one can advance on a dead ball, send him back to first

[Jake&Aaron]

Thanks for all of the replies so far, guys. Michael, thanks for taking the time to go through that quiz and find the error.

[Jocko]

Since INT kills the ball, noone advances. And since runners hadn't legally aquired bases at TOI, they return

[mjr_2013]

Question 5 in the Fair or Foul Quiz... A ball that hits the plate is a fair ball... It didn't affect the question or answer, but the explanation is wrong...

Question 5 Explanation:

The Answer is B. This is a more nuanced situation. If the ball hits in foul territory, like home plate in this instance, and the spin forces it into fair territory, the ball is live and playable. The batter should be out.

[Jake&Aaron]

MJR-

You are right that the answer is worded incorrectly. Home plate is considered fair territory. I will go back and fix that. Thanks for your feedback! I was also going to comment that if a runner advances to second before the interference has occurred he still gets second base.

[Jake&Aaron]

I would also like to encourage comments as to what should be added to the site or expanded upon. Any valuable resources that a new umpire might find useful. Also, per Mike's comments, let me know what videos you would remove.

[Jocko]

MJR-

You are right that the answer is worded incorrectly. Home plate is considered fair territory. I will go back and fix that. Thanks for your feedback! I was also going to comment that if a runner advances to second before the interference has occurred he still gets second base.

the plate isn't "considered" fair territory, it DEFINES fair territory. The fair/foul lines start at the point of HP and extend outward

[Jocko]

I would get with Jim at Ump-Attire and see if he would allow you to add a link to his site. Best place to get gear/uniforms!

[mstaylor]

In the question I quoted, it says there are runners on the corners, there was no runner on second. Now, once the BI occurs, the PU announces it but allows play to continue. If the initial play does not result in an out, SS cuts the ball, then kill the ball, send all the runners back, and call the batter out. If the initial throw results in an out then leave the ball live, no interference and any advances remain. The way the answer reads it sounds like they are calling it automatically dead.

[Jake&Aaron]

Thanks!

[Richvee]

In the question I quoted, it says there are runners on the corners, there was no runner on second. Now, once the BI occurs, the PU announces it but allows play to continue. If the initial play does not result in an out, SS cuts the ball, then kill the ball, send all the runners back, and call the batter out. If the initial throw results in an out then leave the ball live, no interference and any advances remain. The way the answer reads it sounds like they are calling it automatically dead.

The way I read this question, it sounds like F2 got the throw off clean to 2nd base and B3 interferes with F2 during the return play at the plate on R3...

....The shortstop wisely cuts off the throw and throws home. The catcher during the play at the plate is interfered with by the batter. What is the call?

I've got R3 out for INT by a teamate. R1 stays on 2nd because it was reached before the INT on the return throw at the plate.

[Jocko]

With less than 2 out, R3 is out. 2 outs, Batter is out.

[mstaylor]

The way I read the question I thought it was BI on the throw to second, if so my answer is correct. If it on the throw back to home then it is interference by a teammate and the runner is out with less than two outs, batter if there are already two. If R1 has reached at the time of interference then he does stay at second, if he hasn't attained second then he goes back. Sorry if I read it incorrectly.

[Richvee]

I was thinking about the batter being out if there were 2 outs when I posted, but wasn't sure. Would that rule still hold given that it is "interference by a teammate" and not your typical "batter interference" since the interference was on a throw home? The more I think about it, I'd say, yes, it still holds...After all, he still is the batter.

[Jocko]

Your rule myths page is inconclusive, to say the least.

#39. The ball is dead anytime an umpire is hit by the ball.

*This is only true on a batted ball that the ball is dead*. On a thrown or pitched ball, it is unfortunate but the ball remains live.

* If a batted ball hits the umpire AFTER IT PASSES AN INFIELDER, not to include F1, it is a live ball.

[Jocko]

This sponsor:

ProRollers.net #1 Bat Juicing Service On The Net Juiced BBCOR Baseball Fastpitch HOT

Has no business on any baseball site, much less an official's site. It's illegal and irresponsible. One of the responsibilities of an Umpire is to ask the coaches if their teams are legally and properly equipped. Rolled bats are illegal. Leads to ejections and potential lawsuits. IMHO, you must select your sponsors carefully. As long as this is on your site, I will not go to it. May sound like I'm being harsh, but you should know better. You guys aren't a legitimate resource.

[JaxRolo]

This sponsor:

ProRollers.net #1 Bat Juicing Service On The Net Juiced BBCOR Baseball Fastpitch HOT

Has no business on any baseball site, much less an official's site. It's illegal and irresponsible. One of the responsibilities of an Umpire is to ask the coaches if their teams are legally and properly equipped. Rolled bats are illegal. Leads to ejections and potential lawsuits. IMHO, you must select your sponsors carefully. As long as this is on your site, I will not go to it. May sound like I'm being harsh, but you should know better. You guys aren't a legitimate resource.

Wow. Injury waiting to happen. Then a lawsuit.

[Richvee]

This sponsor:

ProRollers.net #1 Bat Juicing Service On The Net Juiced BBCOR Baseball Fastpitch HOT

Has no business on any baseball site, much less an official's site. It's illegal and irresponsible. One of the responsibilities of an Umpire is to ask the coaches if their teams are legally and properly equipped. Rolled bats are illegal. Leads to ejections and potential lawsuits. IMHO, you must select your sponsors carefully. As long as this is on your site, I will not go to it. May sound like I'm being harsh, but you should know better. You guys aren't a legitimate resource.

Wow...Seriously. That's got to go or you have zero cred. What's next for you? An HGH sponsor?

[mjr_2013]

Yikes!!!

[Steven Tyler]

This sponsor:

ProRollers.net #1 Bat Juicing Service On The Net Juiced BBCOR Baseball Fastpitch HOT

Has no business on any baseball site, much less an official's site. It's illegal and irresponsible. One of the responsibilities of an Umpire is to ask the coaches if their teams are legally and properly equipped. Rolled bats are illegal. Leads to ejections and potential lawsuits. IMHO, you must select your sponsors carefully. As long as this is on your site, I will not go to it. May sound like I'm being harsh, but you should know better. You guys aren't a legitimate resource.

If it is a banner ad sponsered by Google, there really isn't anything you can do about it.

[Jocko]

This sponsor:

ProRollers.net #1 Bat Juicing Service On The Net Juiced BBCOR Baseball Fastpitch HOT

Has no business on any baseball site, much less an official's site. It's illegal and irresponsible. One of the responsibilities of an Umpire is to ask the coaches if their teams are legally and properly equipped. Rolled bats are illegal. Leads to ejections and potential lawsuits. IMHO, you must select your sponsors carefully. As long as this is on your site, I will not go to it. May sound like I'm being harsh, but you should know better. You guys aren't a legitimate resource.

If it is a banner ad sponsered by Google, there really isn't anything you can do about it.

I guess next it'll be an ad for chicks with d**ks and the same claim We can't do anything about it? Garbage.

[Dannytheman]

I am staying away from that site. To many wrongs to be credible. They want to come here, use our experience and draft a business model?

Go to some umpiring schools and get some experience.