Questions about the 2014 NFHS Umpire Test

[Guest jared]

I am 15 years old. I started umpiring late last year and I have umpired about 20 11U/12U games. Starting this coming weekend I have been moved up to 13U (a bigger field).

 

The local baseball umpire's association that I belong to is requiring that I take and pass the 2014 NFHS Baseball Umpire's Test.  I got a hold of 2013 rule/case books so starting yesterday I am trying to answer 25 questions each day after school. I find the test questions confusing. The same goes for the rule/case books. I have not been able to find the answers to the some of the questions so I am here asking for help.  You don't have to give me the answer (but that would be nice) I need help finding where the answers are in the rule/case books so that I can read it for myself.

 

Questions:

 

3) An eligible substitute whose name and number is not included on the lineup card that is submitted to the umpire-in-chief is prohibited from playing. 

                        True

                        False

 

I answered TRUE because the question said that he was "eligible". He would be added to the end of the line-up. Right?  I can't find the exact answer in the book.

 

8) R1 on first base gets a great jump on the pitcher's move and is sliding into second base when B2 swings and misses the pitch for strike three. B2's follow through strikes the catcher. 

                        Since B2 did not intentionally cause his bat to hit F2, there is no interference.

                        B2 is guilty of interference. R1 is declared out and B2 continues to bat.

                        Since F2 had no possible play on R1, B2 is declared out and R1 is returned to first base.

                        B2 is guilty of interference. Both B2 and R1 are declared out. 

 

I answered "D" but according to 7.3.5 Situation C the answer could be "C" also it's a judgement call.  I am confused!

 

23) During the second inning of the game, the lead-off batter enters the box with an illegal bat. There has been no previous issue with an illegal bat. 

                        There is no problem. The batter shall secure a legal bat.

                        The batter is declared out and his head coach is ejected.

                        The batter is declared out and his head coach is restricted to the bench.

                        The player and the coach are warned and a subsequent violation will result in an ejection of the coach and the player.

 

I said "B" but I couldn't find the answer in the book.  I figured that if this is the 2nd time a illegal bat is discovered the coach deserves to be kicked out.

 

[maven]

1. Returning to base does not require a retouch. Wait till runners are near the base to make the ball live.

2. There is no penalty for failing to retouch. If you instruct a runner to retouch, you're OOO, but you can subsequently eject for failing to follow your instruction.

maven

[alex7]

Scratching my head regarding this post.  We agreed there was no actual interference because there was no chance to throw out R1.

Why are we returning the runner to 1st?

And don't say due to the backswing INT, because really there is no backswing INT in FED, it's just regular INT, which we DON'T have here.

 

Batter is out on strike 3, and the runner stays on the stolen base.  No INT at home.  Nothing happened.

[ALStripes17]

According to the letter of the law, this is backswing INT on the batter if he hits the catcher in any way. With that pitch being strike 3, the runner is either out or returned to 1B (judgment on whether or not he could have been thrown out).

Batter must remain in control of his body and swing.

We have two requirements as officials: make it safe; make it fair

[noumpere]

with Runner(s) on base and the batter hits a foul ball (DEAD BALL), I insist that all the runner(s) RETAG the base they were leading off from...before the home umpire puts the dead ball back into play my saying "PLAY".

You're wrong.

 

The rule is in place so that the runner doesn't take an 89' lead , and then step on the next base as soon as the ball is in play, or so that the defense doesn't get a chep out because the ball is in play when the runner is 45' from the base.

 

If both teams are happy with the 6' - 10' lead, then put the ball in play.

 

To do otherwise is being an OOO.

[JaxRolo]

with Runner(s) on base and the batter hits a foul ball (DEAD BALL), I insist that all the runner(s) RETAG the base they were leading off from...before the home umpire puts the dead ball back into play my saying "PLAY".

You're wrong.

The rule is in place so that the runner doesn't take an 89' lead , and then step on the next base as soon as the ball is in play, or so that the defense doesn't get a chep out because the ball is in play when the runner is 45' from the base.

If both teams are happy with the 6' - 10' lead, then put the ball in play.

To do otherwise is being an OOO.

Well said!

[Richvee]

Scratching my head regarding this post.  We agreed there was no actual interference because there was no chance to throw out R1.

Why are we returning the runner to 1st?

And don't say due to the backswing INT, because really there is no backswing INT in FED, it's just regular INT, which we DON'T have here.

 

Batter is out on strike 3, and the runner stays on the stolen base.  No INT at home.  Nothing happened.

We most certainly do have BI. The batter strikes out on the swing and then interferes with the catcher. 

When the batter strikes out and then interferes it is BI. There is no way R1 is staying at 2nd. R1 is either declared out because  F2 could have thrown him out sans the BI, or, if F2 did not have a shot at throwing out R1, R1 is returned to 1st.  

[Guest Geoff]

Gentleman, The rule remains in effect..

 

DEADBALL:8-2-2. A returning  runner SHALL ( not may, might, maybe or be 89' or 6-10 ' It states shall ) retouch the bases in reverse order. If the ball is DEAD because of an uncaught foul, it is not necessary for a returning runner to retouch intervening bases (this to me means that the runner still must retouch the bag he left from ). The umpire WILL NOT make the ball live until the runners returns to the appropriate base.

 

So then, fellow Umpires,  I would be considered an XXX for following the rules of the game and preventing arguments with the teams coaches?

 

I and my partner, would still require ALL runners to return to their bag and physically retouch it on a DEAD BALL before I put the ball back into play..

 

I was just looking for a penalty if there even is one?

[maven]

First off, you're making a logical error. From the fact that a returning runner must retouch intervening bases during a live ball, while a returning runner after a foul ball need not retouch intervening bases, it does NOT follow that runners must touch their original base after a foul ball. That's a fallacious inference.

 

Second, the rule states that the runner must "return" to the appropriate base. It does not say touch. By interpretation, this means he must be in the vicinity of the base. There is no penalty for failing to touch.

 

Look, call it how you want. I'd love to help you become a better umpire, and many others here feel the same way. But if you insist on ignoring the advice of better trained, more experienced, and more knowledgeable umpires, then you're not likely to get better.

 

How many posts have supported your view? When it's you against the world, you might be right. But that's not how to bet your farm.

[mstaylor]

Gentleman, The rule remains in effect..

 

DEADBALL:8-2-2. A returning  runner SHALL ( not may, might, maybe or be 89' or 6-10 ' It states shall ) retouch the bases in reverse order. If the ball is DEAD because of an uncaught foul, it is not necessary for a returning runner to retouch intervening bases (this to me means that the runner still must retouch the bag he left from ). The umpire WILL NOT make the ball live until the runners returns to the appropriate base.

 

So then, fellow Umpires,  I would be considered an XXX for following the rules of the game and preventing arguments with the teams coaches?

 

I and my partner, would still require ALL runners to return to their bag and physically retouch it on a DEAD BALL before I put the ball back into play..

 

I was just looking for a penalty if there even is one?

There isn't a penalty, that's why the interp says close is enough. The purpose, as noted, is to stop the 89 ft leads. He has to return to the vicinity before the umpires is to put the ball in play. It is the umpire's opinion how close is close enough. If you choose to make then actually retouch, you won't be wrong, just in a very small minority. Now most pro runners are going to retouch because the pitcher has to be on the rubber for the ball to be put back in play, they choose to start from ground zero and save a pick.

[Richvee]

I worked a game last year with a PU who insisted on runners TOUCHING the base after every foul ball. He'd stand in front of the plate, hands on his hips, then point at each runner.."you,retouch that base, you retouch your base", I can't begin to tell you how aggravating it was for everybody, not to mention how much unnecessary time was wasted after every foul with runners on. By the 4th - 5th inning, runners were going back to the bags and waving their arms.."I'm here..I'm on the base Blue!!"... OOO to the nth degree. 

[noumpere]

Gentleman, The rule remains in effect..

 

 

I was just looking for a penalty if there even is one?

There isn't a penalty.  If you insist on enforcing this then you arent wrong you're just an OOO.

[Guest Geoff]

Thank you all for your advice,

         I guess that's why you need to have a good pre-game with your partner so that your both working on the same sheet of music.

 

... ie, U2 uses the so called "vicinity" rule while he is in the C position and the pitcher throws to second and they pick off the runner, who never retagged the bag after a foul ball,  and you at home plate  NEVER put the dead ball back in play, because (your using the "retag the base rule on dead balls) and the runner never RETAGGED the base, but your partner calls the runner out and you then hear the one coach shout "Hey blue, time, you never put the ball back into play Blue, so my runner is safe....then other coach is saying that your partner made the right call and the base runner out...Just looking to prevent any miss understanding gentleman. And this has happen in a game. Go figure???. 

 

Always seeking improvement and staying on my A Game...Lets get the rule right and have FUN.

So I guess the minority of us are doing it correctly according to the rule...Thanks

[Richvee]

Thank you all for your advice,

         I guess that's why you need to have a good pre-game with your partner so that your both working on the same sheet of music.

 

... ie, U2 uses the so called "vicinity" rule while he is in the C position and the pitcher throws to second and they pick off the runner, who never retagged the bag after a foul ball,  and you at home plate  NEVER put the dead ball back in play, because (your using the "retag the base rule on dead balls) and the runner never RETAGGED the base, but your partner calls the runner out and you then hear the one coach shout "Hey blue, time, you never put the ball back into play Blue, so my runner is safe....then other coach is saying that your partner made the right call and the base runner out...Just looking to prevent any miss understanding gentleman. And this has happen in a game. Go figure???. 

 

Always seeking improvement and staying on my A Game...Lets get the rule right and have FUN.

So I guess the minority of us are doing it correctly according to the rule...Thanks

You're mixing things that need not be mixed. I think you will find 100% agreement here that PU MUST put the ball back in play EVERY TIME there is time out. Failure to do so leads to things like you describe above. It has nothing to do with runners retouching after a foul ball. 

[noumpere]

The rules don't always say what they mean or mean what the say.

 

The majority are doing this correctly according to what the rules mean.

[Guest Geoff]

Ok fellow umpires, Hopefully, I have managed to plant a seed and I expect a Harvest....Make the change, enforce the rule, and share the knowledge. As our friend CREW CHIEF has stated, the pro runners do it....have your players do it too...Retag the base on dead balls...Preventive baseball...Have FUN.

[Richvee]

Ok fellow umpires, Hopefully, I have managed to plant a seed and I expect a Harvest....Make the change, enforce the rule, and share the knowledge. As our friend CREW CHIEF has stated, the pro runners do it....have your players do it too...Retag the base on dead balls...Preventive baseball...Have FUN.

Sorry. R1, foul. R1 strolls back 2 feet off 1B. I'm not holding up the game telling R1 to move his left foot over to retag the bag. 

[Guest Geoff]

As the PU, I would establish this up front with me and my partner, and after the first couple of innings, the runners will catch on quickly for it is the rule that your enforcing and it is part of the game.  I just keep trying to find in the RULE book 2014 NFHS , 8-2-2 where it states vicinity, or near the base . What it does state is that "The umpire will not make the ball live until the runners returns to the appropriate base. (meaning return to and retag)

 

Be a so called "OOO" but enforce the rule and prevent any confusion.

 

Always have fun!

 

 

[Richvee]

 "The umpire will not make the ball live until the runners returns to the appropriate base. (meaning return to and retag)

 

 

 

If they meant return AND retag after a foul ball, they would have said exactly that. 

[mstaylor]

Pro runners do it between almost every pitch, foul or not. The pitchers are good enough to pick you with the slightest mistake. That doesn't change the fact that it isn't necessary. Watch any R3 with a LH pitcher, he isn't touching because he knows a LH will almost never pick to third, too low a percentage play.

[JaxRolo]

Ok fellow umpires, Hopefully, I have managed to plant a seed and I expect a Harvest....Make the change, enforce the rule, and share the knowledge. As our friend CREW CHIEF has stated, the pro runners do it....have your players do it too...Retag the base on dead balls...Preventive baseball...Have FUN.

OOO !!!!

[JaxRolo]

As the PU, I would establish this up front with me and my partner, and after the first couple of innings, the runners will catch on quickly for it is the rule that your enforcing and it is part of the game.  I just keep trying to find in the RULE book 2014 NFHS , 8-2-2 where it states vicinity, or near the base . What it does state is that "The umpire will not make the ball live until the runners returns to the appropriate base. (meaning return to and retag)

 

Be a so called "OOO" but enforce the rule and prevent any confusion.

 

Always have fun!

 

This is something somebody told you therfore you believe it. IT IS WRONG!!!

[grayhawk]

Wow - this thread took a turn.  Count me in the "this is seriously OOO" camp regarding forcing runners to retouch their bases after a foul ball.  Don't be "that guy."

[noumpere]

Now Geoff has gone from being an OOO to being a troll.

[Guest Geoff]

Gentleman, I am only reading the rule and trying to stop any confusion....apparently, I have touched a sore spot for some of you, if not all of you...If we are all consistent with the ruling then everyone involved will be straight and do the right thing.

 

Has anyone found the words vicinity or near the base in the rule yet for me ?

 

I guess the PU does not have to say "PLAY"  either to put the dead ball back in play?? (Just point )

 

Explain to me how the word return to the base in that rule does not equal retagging the bag?     

 

Now we can see why some Coaches get upset or angry...

 

 

 

 

[maven]