F3/BR "Collision"

[treydawgmt]

I'm BU.  Varsity game.  BR hits a grounder to the infield somewhere, out by quite a few steps.  He runs all the way through the play still, as many players do.  He alters his stride a tiny bit as he gets to the base, and he and F3 touch.  I don't notice anything, but thought to myself "that is really funny."  A few moments later (BR is already in his dugout now), F3 says, "He elbowed me."  Any way to watch for this, any thoughts on what to do.  I really thought that MAY have been the case when I said "that's really funny" to myself, but certainly wasn't sure.

[noumpere]

Take the numbers and watch both players more carefully.

 

If you get a chance (for example, the runner was F4 or F9 or F3), talk to him at the next inning.  Sometimes it's as easy as "I'm not saying you did, and I'm not saying you didn't, I'm saying don't do it."

[UMP45]

I had a similar situation tonight except B/R "chicken wings" the 1st baseman. I EJ"d him. That's a 2 game suspension by the state and 2 more from the conference for a total 4 game suspension!

[Replacematt]

I'm BU.  Varsity game.  BR hits a grounder to the infield somewhere, out by quite a few steps.  He runs all the way through the play still, as many players do.  He alters his stride a tiny bit as he gets to the base, and he and F3 touch.  I don't notice anything, but thought to myself "that is really funny."  A few moments later (BR is already in his dugout now), F3 says, "He elbowed me."  Any way to watch for this, any thoughts on what to do.  I really thought that MAY have been the case when I said "that's really funny" to myself, but certainly wasn't sure.

What position were you in and how close to the base were you?

[UmpJM]

treydawg,

 

I concur with noumpere's advice and wholeheartedly support Ump45's decision.

 

If you're not sure, address it discreetly with the player (or his coach).

 

If you are sure, dump the little prick expediently.

 

Whatever you do, don't just ignore it. 

 

JM

[treydawgmt]

Ok.  I did talk w/the 1B coach discreetly.  I think I was in a pretty good position.  Started about 12 feet behind the bag, on the hit I moved in a few steps, planted, allowed the ball to open me to 1B.  Like I said, I saw something that could have been fishy, but wasn't sure.  Just wish I had seen it better, if he really did throw an elbow, I'd have dumped him in about 1/2 a heartbeat had I been sure!

[noumpere]

Ok.  I did talk w/the 1B coach discreetly.  I think I was in a pretty good position.  Started about 12 feet behind the bag, on the hit I moved in a few steps, planted, allowed the ball to open me to 1B.  Like I said, I saw something that could have been fishy, but wasn't sure.  Just wish I had seen it better, if he really did throw an elbow, I'd have dumped him in about 1/2 a heartbeat had I been sure!

PU can help on this call.  And, you should talk to PU between innings so he can be ready in case the player gets plunked the next time at bat (and "ready" can mean different things, depending on the level)

[Replacematt]

Ok.  I did talk w/the 1B coach discreetly.  I think I was in a pretty good position.  Started about 12 feet behind the bag, on the hit I moved in a few steps, planted, allowed the ball to open me to 1B.  Like I said, I saw something that could have been fishy, but wasn't sure.  Just wish I had seen it better, if he really did throw an elbow, I'd have dumped him in about 1/2 a heartbeat had I been sure!

You were too close if you started at 12 feet and moved in. I don't know if that would have solved the issue, but many times you can miss seeing the entire play at first if you're too close.

[VolUmp]

I see that pussy hit 8-10 times a season.  I never ignore it.

 

Assuming a fight doesn't break out, I go to both coaches between innings and let them know (with no opportunity for discussion from either one of them) that I know what I saw, it was uncalled for if not malicious,  and there better not be a repeat (offense) and there better not be retaliation (defense.)

 

I've yet to eject on that play, but I'm probably the pussy for not doing it.

[bam]

I had this exact same play today in a VERY bad varsity game. Except a full-blown train wreck. R1, I'm in B. Everything exploded at the base - ball, runner, F3. I suppose if I were inclined to call anything, it would have been OBS with same result. However, since nobody but me and my partner would have been aware of the rule, I made sure both BR and F3 had their wits about them and trotted over to C.

[VolUmp]

I had this exact same play today in a VERY bad varsity game. Except a full-blown train wreck. R1, I'm in B. Everything exploded at the base - ball, runner, F3. I suppose if I were inclined to call anything, it would have been OBS with same result. However, since nobody but me and my partner would have been aware of the rule, I made sure both BR and F3 had their wits about them and trotted over to C.

 

Those are just kinda unavoidable.

I think the OP described something completely avoidable.

[bam]

I had this exact same play today in a VERY bad varsity game. Except a full-blown train wreck. R1, I'm in B. Everything exploded at the base - ball, runner, F3. I suppose if I were inclined to call anything, it would have been OBS with same result. However, since nobody but me and my partner would have been aware of the rule, I made sure both BR and F3 had their wits about them and trotted over to C.

 

Those are just kinda unavoidable.

I think the OP described something completely avoidable.

Baseball IQ above double digits would have avoided this mess. But, by rule, this should be SOMETHING.

[treydawgmt]

I didn't see Matt's reply until today, but everything I've been taught says 10-15 feet behind F3 when you're in "A".  By moving "in" I meant towards second base on a line parallel to the line between 1st and 2nd base.  It's what I've been taught at every clinic, but maybe I should be closer to the 15 feet back to see things like this better?

[Mike Prince]

Actually you often see more when you move back the step or two.  The closer you get isn't always better.