Umpire interference

[Richvee]

Had this happen the other day in a Jr high game. I have the plate. VT has a pretty good F2. Moves, blocks, throws well. Sets up right behind the plate. Knows enough that he can get the strikes on the low pitches catching them there, glove up.  Knows the game well for an 8th grader. Remarkably personable and intelligent. Real low key game as these two teams are slated to meet next week in the first round of the league tourney. Seeds were set and neither team wanted to throw their best pitchers. 

 

Somewhere in the middle of the game, he's catching, we've got R2 and a RHB. R2 takes off for 3rd. F2 quickly grabs the ball, and steps to his left to throw behind the batter to 3rd. In the process, for some reason, I'm slow to clear as I think I was focusing too much on the batter making sure he didn't back up into F2's path. F2 stumbles a bit on my left foot, throw doesn't get the runner. 

 

For some unknown reason, I stand there silent. Never registering  in my head I interfered with his throw, until F2 starts walking back to his spot behind the plate and he say's, "Sorry Blue, My bad". At that point I realize "damn, that was UMP INT and I didn't call it." game continues with no issues and no mention of the play. 

 

I made it a point after the game to catch F2 on the way to the bus and apologize and explain to him that I screwed up, and let him know when  plate umpire interferes with his throw to put out a runner, the runner needs to return. 

He said thanks and went on his way. 

 

It bothers me I missed the call, but the question I have is, was it better to let it go once I "forgot" to call it, or, should I have called it after the fact when it finally kicked into my head what had happened when F2 was walking back after the throw saying "my bad, Blue"? 

[Jocko]

Bottom line.....get it right

[JaxRolo]

It's not to late. Call it.

[maven]

Agree. You've got till everyone resets to fix it.

 

Chances are, though, that you'll never miss it again.

[Richvee]

Agree. You've got till everyone resets to fix it.

 

Chances are, though, that you'll never miss it again.

No, I won't! It's crazy. It had no bearing on a meaningless game, no one else on the field has even thought about it, (well, maybe F2 because I told him about it after the game), yet here we are, two days later and it's gnawing at me that I didn't call it. 

[UMP45]

I don't have umpire interference on this. Catcher initiated contact.

[ALStripes17]

I don't have umpire interference on this. Catcher initiated contact.

I don't think 'catcher initiating contact' is written as an exception to the rule anywhere

[UMP45]

Think about it for a while. 

[Richvee]

I don't have umpire interference on this. Catcher initiated contact.

That's a tough sell. If he cocks his arm to throw and hits your chest, technically he initiated that contact also, and that's clearly UI. 

[Replacematt]

 

I don't have umpire interference on this. Catcher initiated contact.

That's a tough sell. If he cocks his arm to throw and hits your chest, technically he initiated that contact also, and that's clearly UI. 

 

 

The only way I'd use this excuse not to call it is if he initiated intentional contact not related to the act of putting out a runner.

[UMP45]

You better call UI every time. We can't disappear. 

[maineump]

UI every time - some of these kids are quick or even inexperienced - we need to 'give them room' to make the play

[noumpere]

You better call UI every time. We can't disappear. 

Everytime it happens, yes.  And, the OP was one of those times (as described).