Number of outs

[Guest Fan in the stands]

Was at a middle school game yesterday watching a game. The team batting had a long inning, scored maybe 4-5 runs. There was 1 out in my mind but everybody else, including fans, coaches, and players thought it was 2 outs. The batter comes up with runners on 1st and 2nd and hits a ground ball to shortstop, the shortstop flips it to 2nd to put out runner, the umpire rules him out and the defense leaves the field and so do the other 2 runners. Well I knew that only made the 2nd out. After switching sides the other team comes up to bat and first guy gets a base hit and 2nd guy has a 2-1 count. The coach from the defensive team calls time and tells the plate umpire that last inning it was only 2 outs that inning. What should have happened because the coach was correct, it was only 2 outs?

[maven]

At that point, nothing. Once a pitch is thrown, we play on.

Umpires should always announce the number of outs when a new batter steps up to the plate. He should also have been thinking about the potential infield fly situation.

That said, many of us have been party to endless scorefests of unevenly matched teams. They're dreadfully dull and easy to lose track of. One tactic I use to retain focus is to try to perfect my mechanics in games like that. Keeps my head in the game.

[stkjock]

Offensive team scorer was asleep as well it seems. 

[ricka56]

On 3/19/2016 at 10:45 AM, maven said:

Umpires should always announce the number of outs when a new batter steps up to the plate.

Never heard of that...never seen that. Where does that come from ? 

[udbrky]

I remember one time watching a Cubs (vs Pirates maybe?) game in the early 90s. Double play ball, defense leaves field, they go to commercial break.

Suddenly cut back - "oh that was only 2 outs"

 

Harry must've been pretty drunk that night!

[udbrky]

6 hours ago, ricka56 said:

Never heard of that...never seen that. Where does that come from ? 

Part of signals to partner(s) at least? time play/IFF/outs

[ricka56]

31 minutes ago, udbrky said:

Part of signals to partner(s) at least? time play/IFF/outs

Signals are not the same as announcements. Signals are for your partner. Announcements are made for all. Maybe that's what he meant, but I don't know how a partner signal would have helped in the OP.

I tell folks (when asked) the number of outs, but I don't announce it to all, every new batter. If the O knew the situation, they could have circled the bases and scored when the D left the field. If runners abandoned their bases because they didn't know the situation, that's on them.
 

[ZebraStripes]

Signal to my partner, but I don't announce unless asked.  Haven't known any umpire to announce outs without being asked since I was playing slow pitch church league softball.

[noumpere]

Not exactly the OP, but I will take the time to be sure we are all on the same page and then announce it if one team has two outs and one team has one.  Or if a team has two outs, and my partner and I have one.  (or vice-versa)

[ricka56]

44 minutes ago, noumpere said:

Not exactly the OP, but I will take the time to be sure we are all on the same page and then announce it if one team has two outs and one team has one.  Or if a team has two outs, and my partner and I have one.  (or vice-versa)

Bailing the team out that has the incorrect number of outs may be good game management (avoiding a $#!+house), (and I'd do that) but some umpires believe that they are helping that team to the disadvantage of the other team, They won't bail them out and let the chips fall where they may. It is still both teams responsibility  to know the situation (# of outs).

[rampro]

By rule, but not in practice, outs belong to the official scorer, at least in obr.  

Rule 9.03 (old numbering) The umpire in chief shall stand behind the catcher.  His duties are

3. Call and count balls and strikes.

Official scorer general rules:

Rule 10.1 (b) (3) If the teams change sides before three men are put out, the official scorer shall immediately inform the umpire-chief of the mistake.

 

 

 

 

 

[LMSANS]

8 hours ago, ricka56 said:

Bailing the team out that has the incorrect number of outs may be good game management (avoiding a $#!+house), (and I'd do that) but some umpires believe that they are helping that team to the disadvantage of the other team, They won't bail them out and let the chips fall where they may. It is still both teams responsibility  to know the situation (# of outs).

There is a trick play where the defense announces 2 outs when there is only one and R3.  Batter strikes out defense leaves the field except f2.  F2 rolls the ball out so that one of the departing fielders can pick t up when R3 starts towards home.

my HS coach called it a few times over 4 years...worked most of the time.