Backswing interference question

[hill2933]

During game I was watching tonight had this happen. R2 two outs. R2 stealing on pitch B3 swings and misses. As F2 attempts to throw to third backswing strikes F2 in the arm and keeps him from throwing. No call was made and when questioned both umpires said no interference since it was not intentional. I would have called B3 out for interference and if it would not have been 3rd out sent R2 back. Both umpires let play stand and now had R3 and sore F2. This looks to me like it should fall under 5-1-2 in Fed and be dead ball out. Am I reading this wrong? I just don't see how you don't penalize the batter in this situation. I could see coaches teaching long backswings any time stealing 3rd if there is no penalty.

 

This was the same crew that threw a new ball to F1 after a wild pitch with runners on too so not too confident in their decisions. It was interesting watching fielders chasing two baseballs around field while runners breaking for bases.

[Jimurray]

During game I was watching tonight had this happen. R2 two outs. R2 stealing on pitch B3 swings and misses. As F2 attempts to throw to third backswing strikes F2 in the arm and keeps him from throwing. No call was made and when questioned both umpires said no interference since it was not intentional. I would have called B3 out for interference and if it would not have been 3rd out sent R2 back. Both umpires let play stand and now had R3 and sore F2. This looks to me like it should fall under 5-1-2 in Fed and be dead ball out. Am I reading this wrong? I just don't see how you don't penalize the batter in this situation. I could see coaches teaching long backswings any time stealing 3rd if there is no penalty.

 

This was the same crew that threw a new ball to F1 after a wild pitch with runners on too so not too confident in their decisions. It was interesting watching fielders chasing two baseballs around field while runners breaking for bases.

Something wrong and can't reply outside of the box, but:

OBR you don't penalize the batter and dead ball, runner or runners return.

Fed, Batter interference, batters out , runners return.

Your sit, ask the umpires if they boughtbthei shirts at Academy or Walmart. No don't do that. Also how come you are reading the rulebook and not the guys who bought the shirts?

[mstaylor]

If you are playing Fed then it is an out. If you are using OBR then it is a dead ball, runner returns but no out. 

[hill2933]

I am a new HS umpire and watch other umpires as much as the games I go to. My kid was catching so I am always concerned that may change the way I see things. I always like to go back and look up calls that I have questions about so I may actually get one right when it happens to me.

[Jimurray]

During game I was watching tonight had this happen. R2 two outs. R2 stealing on pitch B3 swings and misses. As F2 attempts to throw to third backswing strikes F2 in the arm and keeps him from throwing. No call was made and when questioned both umpires said no interference since it was not intentional. I would have called B3 out for interference and if it would not have been 3rd out sent R2 back. Both umpires let play stand and now had R3 and sore F2. This looks to me like it should fall under 5-1-2 in Fed and be dead ball out. Am I reading this wrong? I just don't see how you don't penalize the batter in this situation. I could see coaches teaching long backswings any time stealing 3rd if there is no penalty.

 

This was the same crew that threw a new ball to F1 after a wild pitch with runners on too so not too confident in their decisions. It was interesting watching fielders chasing two baseballs around field while runners breaking for bases.

FED, batter's out runners return.

OBR runners return

Both sits dead ball

You didn't have umpires. You had guys who bought blue shirts at Academy or wherever.

[mstaylor]

It's always better to figure it out here than have it blow up in your face on the field. 

[Jimurray]

I tried to correct my first post and now have double, triple posted. Anyway, good for you on reading the FED rulebook. Your guys in blue shirts have not read any rulebooks.

[hill2933]

Thanks I have learned a ton reading on here and always got positive responses to my questions. I think anyone can call balls and strikes and safe/out but when something strange happens you can tell who can umpire. Hoping to be able to get more experienced and go to some camps next year but will probably still be here asking dumb questions.

[UmpJeff]

I think anyone can call balls and strikes and safe/out but when something strange happens you can tell who can umpire.

 

Not necessarily true.

 

This is absolutely true.

[mstaylor]

No dumb questions if it helps clarify a concept or gray areas. ruling. My point has always been to study until you think you understand it then ask questions to clarify the 

[Stan W.]

I am a new HS umpire and watch other umpires as much as the games I go to. My kid was catching so I am always concerned that may change the way I see things. I always like to go back and look up calls that I have questions about so I may actually get one right when it happens to me.

 

Good job!...this is the practice I reccomend to all umpires....even to some who think they have learned it all...........If you arent studying, you are falling behind.......

[Jocko]

Its true. Anyone cal calls ball/strike/safe/out. And anyone can paint, drive racecars, and cook lasagna. But can they do it WELL?

Seriously, good job on knowing there was something wrong. But don't ever buy into the concept that anyone can do it. Just as anything else one aspires to do WELL, every aspect of officiating takes study, hard work, dedication, and practice.

[afaber12]

I'd also say good job on being aware that you won't necessarily see things as clearly and impartially when family's involved. Its almost impossible for those sorts of things to have an impact on how we perceive things. It's like those bang-bang plays at first when you see the BR signal safe after he's passed the bag, but he's called out. Sure, some of the time its just an attempt to sway the umpire, but sometimes they genuinely thing they beat the play even when they didn't, because they want that to be the case.

 

Short of a lobotomy or traumatic brain injury resulting in amnesia, I don't know of a way to completely eliminate the potential for bias. But I figure the more aware you are of its potential, the less likely it will have an impact on your calls.