Is it ever appropriate for U1 (field umpire) to call Runner's Lane Interference from A or Batter's Interference on F2 from B/C??

[UAME]

Although I'm a relatively new umpire, due to the shortage of officials in our area I have found myself in the position of being the more experienced (or, at least the more "baseball aware") of our crew, typically working JV or low level Varsity games.

While working the field, if I see what I judge to be Runner's Lane Interference (from A position) or Batter's Interference on F2's throw from B (or, less likely, C), should I get it or let it ride?

To date, I have been in this position a couple of times but didn't make a call (and neither did my partner behind the plate.)  None of the scenarios were questioned by the teams/coaches.

My position in those prior scenarios has been that a) if a coach had come out to question and b) if my partner had asked for help/opinion, I'd give it.  That seems like the most pragmatic approach, but I'm also looking to expand my confidence and progress to higher level games.

I'm conflicted because part of me feels that if I see it, I should call it and get it right for the sake of the players/game.  On the other hand, I don't want to develop the habit of making a call that I shouldn't own when working with a more competent partner.

What advice do you have?

[JonnyCat]

RLI and BI are the plate umpires responsibilities. Don't try and poach those calls.

If a coach perhaps questions the call, and you get together with your partner, then give him what you have. However, even after that, it's still the PU's call.

[834k3r]

49 minutes ago, JonnyCat said:

RLI and BI are the plate umpires responsibilities. Don't try and poach those calls.

If a coach perhaps questions the call, and you get together with your partner, then give him what you have. However, even after that, it's still the PU's call.

This. I'd add to it by talking about it an inning or so later, or, for an extended conversation, post-game. Even though you're not making the calls, it needs to be talked about or it will never improve.

[Aging_Arbiter]

Just a thought on making the Runner's Lane Interference from A 

If the batter becomes a batter/runner..........why would you still be in A?

[The Man in Blue]

Fnuny you ask that @Aging_Arbiter ... I actually found myself in that position tonight in a varsity softball game ... it was a bunt right in front of home plate and I was not going to make it around to clear the play for even the 2-steps-fair.  I noticed I had (what I felt was) a damn good look staring right down the line as the catcher made the play and the runner was coming, so I stopped there rather than ending up on the move or blocked out.  A "2-steps foul" would have given me the best look.

The runner was outside the lane ... but F3 made the play easily.

[SeeingEyeDog]

...and you can always add that/those play(s) to your post-game. Not calling anyone on the carpet or anything but, just a, "Hey on that play at first in XYZ inning, I thought maybe I saw RLI. What did you see there?" Now, you risk a jackpot here of course...a senior guy is going to say, "Hey pal, if I thought it was RLI? I would have called it..." So, proceed with caution...

~Dawg

[MadMax]

In the amateur game, RLI can be called by the BU (or U1 if in 3-man of 4-man) in the absence of PU not identifying or recognizing it. Just because the PU may miss or not be knowledgeable enough to recognize it should (or, I’d say shall) not absolve BR from committing RLI. 

Advantageously, the Running Lane begins at the 45-ft mark. With a bunt or a “sawed-off” batted ball at the plate, the PU will often over-fixate on fair/foul, tangle/untangle, or any number of various actions/distractions, and will not see the BR’s place in space until the throw arrives at 1B. By then, it’s too late. 
The BU can definitely engage himself here, and observe the BR’s path. If he’s never in the Lane, the BR is not protected in that last stride to the base. 

So too, this is applicable in a U3K. The PU may be tracking the ball to make sure it doesn’t go into DBT, and may never see the BR’s place in space until the thrown ball, BR and fielder all converge at 1B. 

Batter INT, on a steal of 2B or 3B is a much harder sell as a BU, and really shouldn’t be called in lieu of the PU’s judgement. The BU has a throw to track, and to turn, settle, and prepare to adjudge a play at the base – that is completely his, with no other help to be had. 

Now, where a BU can contribute is to confirm what the PU saw and judged to be BI. This is important in the amateur game, as amateur coaches will often badger or belittle an amateur PU into second-guessing what he saw. An observant, experienced, knowledgeable BU can snuff out dissent or skepticism with, “He fell across the plate! I could see Interference from here!”

Why do I stress amateur level (only), instead of inclusive of all levels (including pro)? That answer can be found in how the various levels advise/direct umpires to administer a force play at 2B. At the pro level, they call it a “bonafide slide rule”, and they want PU (in 2-man) to be nowhere near 2B. Conversely, because the Force-Play Slide Rule (FPSR) is so critical to the collegiate game, there are rotation directives for PU to go to a space, in fair territory, on the 3B-side of the mound so as to observe possible FPSR violations at 2B. That’s how important FPSR is to the collegiate game. They don’t want it missed by a 2-man “deficiency”. 

The same can be said about RLI in the amateur game.  

[SeeingEyeDog]

Unless an umpire is working solo...it's no one umpire's call. All calls are the crew's calls. Every umpire is fully empowered to adjudicate anything that happens on a baseball field. Now, as a practical matter...we have mechanics which help us identify and place a member of the crew in the best position for an umpire to get the best angle and distance on a given play. If we're working the plate and we have a close play...do we go to our partner for help? Even if the coach is polite? No. No, we do not. To do so would utterly erode the crew's collective credibility and open up every future adjudication to further fishing expeditions by both coaches.

Max covered this as thoroughly as he always does but, I would add the additional caveat...if the umpire who is mechanically "supposed" to make a call is suddenly incapacitated? They trip and fall and miss the play? They suffer a significant health emergency? ...and a million other possibilities then, yeah...U1 or another base umpire may have to rule on an RLI. It's unconventional. It's irregular. It's unusual. And maybe none of that will matter because what is really important is tending to your brother who might be down on the field and or need help of a different sort beyond covering what would have been "their" call. That's also why on every single play while each member of the crew has specific responsibilities, if you are able to take on secondary responsibilities in the event your judgement or observations are needed...do so.

~Dawg

[Catch18]

If I’m on the bases, I’ll pregame with my partner and ask if he wants help in it. If he says yes, then ok. If he says he’s got it all the way, that’s fine too. Don’t have to complicate things guys.