Strange Plays

[WoodyHayes]

It is funny that any time a strange play happens, usually only one or two people in the ball park knows the rule that applies.

Situation - The other night, I have a kid standing right next to the plate (right hander) and his hands and arms are stretched right over the plate. The pitcher winds up and throws it across the 1/3 inside part of the plate and hits the batter. Ball is definately across the plate. There is a kid on third who runs home and thinks he has scored as Junior is trotting to first base after getting hit. Wrong!! I called deadball when the ball hit the batter and strike since the ball was over the plate. Junior is still up to bat, and the kid goes back to third due to the dead ball being called. Between dad, the coach and the fans you would have thought that some trajedy had just occurred. It had. Coaches not knowing the rules.
If a ball hits a batter it is always a dead ball. If he swings and misses, foul tips it or even hits it fair, it is a dead ball strike. High school coaches know this but some of the younger dads who coach do not. Yes it is a strange play.

[sportsfan45]

Ive got one but i'm very sure if it was the right call... There was a guy on first with 1 out and a right hander up to bat...The count came to 3-2 and the kid of first was running on the pitch...The pitcher threw a ball and the batter started to run to first and the catcher still threw to second and over threw it and..The umpire called interference because the batter stepped in front of the catcher and challenged the throw...

[motorman]

I learned a new one last year and then it happened twice more during the year. We had runners on 1st and 3rd and batter hits a line drive that hits base ump before getting to a fielder. In the high school game, the ump called it right, base hit, dead ball although our coach argued runner should score from 3rd. During the summer in a hot stove game, ump blew call, said ball was live and still in play, runner was thrown out by a fielder. Then during a travel ball game it happened again and umps got the call right, but many fans didn't know it.
I cannot believe umps are not required to carry a rule book at all times.
We once had a teenager umping a fall game that allowed a runner to score from 3rd base on a ground ball that hit a runner going from 2nd to 3rd. He was talked into it by opposing coach who knew rule but cheated and intimidated kid into call. I argued, but didn't have a rule book handy. After half inning was over, I found a rule book and took it to opposing coach and he admitted he knew the rule, but talked kid into call.

[bucksman]

In our umpires' assocation they tell us to always have a rule book with us -- even if it's in the car. You'd rather delay the game to go look at the book on a strange play then implement the wrong interpretation.

[111411]

Last year, we were winning 5-2 in a late inning, but the opponents have the bases loaded with one out.

A ball bounces in front of the plate, our catcher picks it up, steps on the plate and fires to first, seemingly completing a double play. We wait for the call from the field umpire,...................... no call, nothing. He was standing in the middle of the IF, looking at his shoes. Yes, he thought, for some reason, it was a foul ball. He didn't know what to call. He conferences with the plate umpire. The plate umpire makes a safe call, stating that he wasn't watching. Our staff went ballistic. Wouldn't you know it, the opponents' bats get hot, and before you know it, we're down, 8-5. The inning should've been over, but............it wasn't to be.

I'm guessing that it wasn't the first screw up for these two clowns.

[WoodyHayes]

In our umpires' assocation they tell us to always have a rule book with us -- even if it's in the car. You'd rather delay the game to go look at the book on a strange play then implement the wrong interpretation. Not to try and compare states but if an umpire pulled a rule book out on the field down here it would probably be the last game they called. We have many clinics, tests etc. and you are expected to know the rules BEFORE you walk out on to a field. I have stopped and concurred with my partner many times but that was just to make sure that the right call was made.
I saw a game in Ohio last year in Canton (14 year olds) and the field umpire was in the "C" position due to a runner being on third (field ump was between 2nd and ss on the grass by the mound) The hitter checked swing. Home plate ump asks field ump (mistake 1) and field ump said the batter went. No way is this supposed to happen. In this position the field ump can not accurately see this play.

[111411]

Several years ago, an older umpire was doing an E League (17-18) Hot Stove Regional Final game.

He was on first.

The game was very close.

Bang-bang play at first. No call from Lester. (Yes, I knew him.) Still no call. The plate umpire calls time. (He was the one who related the story to me) The plate umpire said, "Lester, what was the call?" Lester's response, "I don't know, but it sure was close." :laugh: :laugh:

The plate umpire had to make the call. Lester was toast the rest of the game.

[WoodyHayes]

A few weeks back I was out in the field doing a district championship 9th grade game. There was a man on 2nd. A slow ground ball was hit and as the third baseman is making the throw to first, it sails high. At this point I did not have an angle on a pulled foot. I looked at my partner (we discuss in pregame) and he gives me the pulled foot sign (only him and I know what that was) I called the kid at first safe and here comes the coach. He KNEW that I could not see this play but as soon as I whispered to him that I had defered the call he was completely satisfied. He knew it was the right call as he knew that I could not see it. It is important for umpires to cover these kind of things at the start of the game. From the time that I looked at him, he gave the signal and I called the kid safe was probably one second. No one in the park knew. But it has to be quick.

[WoodyHayes]

I learned a new one last year and then it happened twice more during the year. We had runners on 1st and 3rd and batter hits a line drive that hits base ump before getting to a fielder. In the high school game, the ump called it right, base hit, dead ball although our coach argued runner should score from 3rd. During the summer in a hot stove game, ump blew call, said ball was live and still in play, runner was thrown out by a fielder. Then during a travel ball game it happened again and umps got the call right, but many fans didn't know it.
I cannot believe umps are not required to carry a rule book at all times.
We once had a teenager umping a fall game that allowed a runner to score from 3rd base on a ground ball that hit a runner going from 2nd to 3rd. He was talked into it by opposing coach who knew rule but cheated and intimidated kid into call. I argued, but didn't have a rule book handy. After half inning was over, I found a rule book and took it to opposing coach and he admitted he knew the rule, but talked kid into call. If the ball hits an ump BEFORE it gets to a fielder, the ball is dead and no one advances unless they were on first and would have been forced to 2nd. But no way does a guy on third go home. If it passes a fielder and it hits an ump, all bets are off and the play is live.

[AllSports12]

I saw a game in Ohio last year in Canton (14 year olds) and the field umpire was in the "C" position due to a runner being on third (field ump was between 2nd and ss on the grass by the mound) The hitter checked swing. Home plate ump asks field ump (mistake 1) and field ump said the batter went. No way is this supposed to happen. In this position the field ump can not accurately see this play.

While the "B" or the "C" does not afford you the same perspective as the "A" or "D", you certainly can proviode accurate help for the plate umpire in some instances.

No where in the Umpire's manual will you find wording that advioses the Plate Umpire not to ask for help in his partner is in the "B" or "C". In fact under the 3-man mechanics the manual specifically states "Be alert to help out on check swings is asked by U1." while working in the "C"

[WoodyHayes]

Regular season we are strictly 2-man (as was this game) Home ump should not have even pointed. No one down here would have.

[bucksman]

WoodyHayes:

I will say this, I've only ever went to the book once in 3+ (or four) years of umpiring. We're just told to have them just in case. I will agree that it has the potential to "look bad".

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Two other scenarios to alert fans of.

Bases loaded, ground ball to third. Runner on third never gets off the bag. Fielder steps on the bag then tags the runner on third (R1). We only have one out -- and that's the runner previously on second (R2). The runner that was on third (R1) is no longer forced. There was some other run down aspects that confused things, but at the end of the day we got two outs out of it - and the call correct.

Runner on first base. Batted ball very quick down the first base line. Hits the runner as he's standing on the base. I call - dead ball, runner on first is out. The bag is not amnesty for the runner despite claims made by that team. Related not, if it's a runner on third, and they are off the bag in foul territory -- that situation is a dead ball, foul ball.

[AllSports12]

Regular season we are strictly 2-man (as was this game) Home ump should not have even pointed. No one down here would have.

-- With 2 strikes and a checked swing on a ball in the dirt, the Plate Umpire should always check with his partner.

-- No difference between 2-man or 3-man when in the "C", in fact the manual charges U2 with helping on checked swings, if asked, in two man as well.

-- If the "B" or "C" can't see it, then rule no swing. If the Plate Umpire is blocked out by the catcher, and the batter swings, you are penalizing the defense by not seeking help.

As stated, it may not be the best angle, but you can certainly get it right.