Poor Coaching

[TravelUmp4425]

So I just want to share a little story with you guys about a game I did this past Saturday. This was a 13+ Travel game by the way. So it was bases loaded, 2 outs, and the batter hit the ball to the first baseman. Somehow R3 makes it home before the play at first was made. So back to the play, the ball was hit in front of the bag and the first baseman fielded it and applied the tag to get the runner out. So the one coach comes out saying that the run scored, which we all know is not true because it was a force play. This coach believed with all his heart that a tag play didn't count as a force out. Then he went on to tell us that on a dropped 3rd strike if the catcher goes to tag the runner for the 3rd out and the run comes across before the tag, the run scored. He said 5 other umpires told him that, surprising you had that situation that many times. Sometimes it amazes me how little these coaches know about the game.

[JaxRolo]

Try not to refer to the play at first as a force play. Who forced him?

[TravelUmp4425]

Not quite sure what you mean. 

[SoCal Lurker]

The BR is not "forced" to first.  It may be the functional equivalent for most purposes, but it is not a force play.  See the definition.

[pnewton]

It doesn't meet the definition of a force play but it is the batter-runner being the third out before reaching first base.  The rule works the same way as a force play does.

[JaxRolo]

Yes but if you're trying to explain a re to a coach or anyone else use proper terminology.

[umpcoachfather]

No run can score when the third out is made by the batter-runner not reaching first base safely

[stl_ump]

So I just want to share a little story with you guys about a game I did this past Saturday. This was a 13+ Travel game by the way. So it was bases loaded, 2 outs, and the batter hit the ball to the first baseman. Somehow R3 makes it home before the play at first was made. So back to the play, the ball was hit in front of the bag and the first baseman fielded it and applied the tag to get the runner out. So the one coach comes out saying that the run scored, which we all know is not true because it was a force play. This coach believed with all his heart that a tag play didn't count as a force out. Then he went on to tell us that on a dropped 3rd strike if the catcher goes to tag the runner for the 3rd out and the run comes across before the tag, the run scored. He said 5 other umpires told him that, surprising you had that situation that many times. Sometimes it amazes me how little these coaches know about the game.

 

And some umpires too... Maybe an exaggeration but probably true to some extent.

[MRG9999]

Had a similiar one last night.  1 out runner on 1B, batter foul tips into glove and caught, runner was in process of stealing 2B,  I gave the mechanic as a caught foul tip.   VTHC questions why runner is not returned to 1B. Explain the rule to him and he shakes his head.  Same game next inning, HT batter does not move in box and gets hit by pitch.  I keep batter in box and award a called ball.  VTHC comes out again and says that he is to go to 1B.  I explain to him that the batter needs to make an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch, since he did not, batter stays in box.  While going back to bench area, he says "I guess I need to read the rules a little closer".  Could not help myself from laughing.  The ony thing I could think of why the VTHC wanted the batter to be awarded 1B was due to the pitch count.  4 pitches later, batter was on 1B with a base on balls.

[NavyChiefBlue]

Is the pitch supposed to be in the batter's box? Unless a batter CLEARLY leans into the pitch, put him on base.

 

Not sure what age group you are doing, but if you are worried about pitch counts, I'm guessing its 12U and below. Sorry, I don't do a lot of small ball, but I would tell the coach he froze.

 

I think your guess is accurate, 3 pitches could be another batter.

 

STRIKES & OUTS!!!

[MRG9999]

The batter is one of the better skilled kids and he was crowding the plate, but not extending his arms over the plate.  He knew what he was doing and he just laughed afterwards. I coached him several years ago and know his game tactics.