Catch over turned

[krwill96]

Had this happen at a game I was watching last night.

R2. 0 outs. Fly ball to right center (inside the v) ball is ruled to be not caught by the BU R2 scores when BU signals no catch. There's a play at the plate on the runner, he's safe. Then the defense throws it to second to appeal that R2 left early. Base umpire looks confused and signals safe.  The defensive coach asks for a meeting because he thinks the right fielder caught the ball. PU says he caught it. Then proceeds to call R2 out for leaving early. How should this play been officiated? 

NFHS rules 

Edited April 29, 2017 by krwill96
Edited to add NFHS rule set

[Kevin_K]

Just the way it was until PU stepped on his partner's you know what. Fly ball in the vee is BU's call as is any tag up at 2B.

If there was any question about catch/no catch and PU had information to share with his partner, they should have gotten together for a discussion. BU would still be responsible for catch/no catch. If he decided to change his mind or stay with the call, it's all on him.

[Cav]

3 minutes ago, krwill96 said:

How should this play been officiated?  NFHS rules 

Better than as you described. 

The catch-no catch decision on a fly ball in the "V" with runners on is that of the base umpire.  

 

NFHS 10-1-4 . . . Any umpire's decision which involves judgment, such as whether a hit is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a strike or a ball, or whether a runner is safe or out, is final. But if there is reasonable doubt about some decision being in ­conflict with the rules, the coach or captain may ask that the correct ruling be made. The umpire making the decision may ask another umpire for information before making a final decision. No umpire shall criticize or interfere with another umpire's decision unless asked by the one making it.

NFHS10-3-1 . . . A field umpire shall aid the umpire-in-chief in administering the rules. He shall make all decisions on the bases except those reserved for the umpire-in-chief. He shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the umpire-in-chief in calling time, balks, infield fly, defacement or discoloration of ball by the pitcher, illegal pitches, when a fly ball is caught, or in ejecting any coach or player for ­flagrant, unsportsmanlike conduct or infraction as prescribed by the rules. In some instances, he will rule on the ball being fair or foul.

NFHS 12-4-1 UMPIRE ASKING ASSISTANCE FROM HIS PARTNER

Often during contests, a coach will request that an umpire seek assistance from his partner for a particular call or play situation. Asking assistance from a partner is not mandatory...

[krwill96]

Yes. definately agree there. It was a mess to see. I just realized I posted this in mechanics. Meant to post in NFHS section. Also could/should the PU have rectified the situation by putting R2 back at second? Did his call put the offensive team at a disadvantage due to the changing of the original call? 

[Kevin_K]

1 hour ago, krwill96 said:

Yes. definately agree there. It was a mess to see. I just realized I posted this in mechanics. Meant to post in NFHS section. Also could/should the PU have rectified the situation by putting R2 back at second? Did his call put the offensive team at a disadvantage due to the changing of the original call? 

PU should not put anyone anywhere. Everything about this play is on the base umpire.... the catch and the tag. 

[krwill96]

Agreed. He over stepped his partner big time. And made it a cluster you know what. 

[noumpere]

In FED, the umpires can "rectify a situation in which a decision was changed that puts either team at a disadvantage" (or some such wording).  FED does not give specific guidance on how to do this.

 

NCAA does give specific guidance and and I would tend to follow it:

 

10)

Changing a call of “no catch” to “catch”: The umpires may conference

after a fair batted ball has been hit into the outfield or on any foul ball to

determine whether a fielder did or did not make a catch�

a)

The ball is dead�

b)

All action prior to the ball becoming dead shall be disallowed�

c)

The batter shall be declared out�

d)

All base runners shall be returned to the base they occupied at the time

of the pitch�