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In The News
Stop It Now - Part III
When a non-routine play occurs, umpires must quickly recognize whether the ball is immediately dead or whether play should continue. The columns of the previous two months examined six types of interference involving the batter-runner or a runner that cause the ball to become immediately dead. Here are additional types of interference that also result in an immediate dead ball. Except where noted, the material applies equally to NFHS, NCAA and pro rules.
Runner interference on foul fly ball. If a runner interferes with a fielder trying to catch a foul ball, the runner is out. The ball is immediately dead and the batter is charged with a strike unless he had two strikes (NFHS 5-1-1e, 8-4-2g; 8-5d; pro 6.01a10 Cmt/7.09j Cmt, PBUC 7.6).
Catcher-batter contact. If a catcher and the batter-runner...
When It's Not Covered
Every few months it’s great to go back and review some of the questions received on rules and umpire mechanics. Sometimes these are covered in the rulebook and other times we just need to do the best we can to come up with an answer that makes the most sense applying the intent of the rule. Here are a few that have come up this spring:
· Question - I saw a game where a player passed her bat over the fence to her father who had it in the stands for a few outs. When it came her time to bat again he passed it back over the fence. Ruling – When the bat is returned to the field I would suggest re-inspecting it and ask the coach why it is being removed. Unless there is good reason the bat should be in the dugout the entire game.
· Question - Is it permissible for a player to have a medical piercing...
No Infield Fly Rule Call Results in a Triple Play
The Orioles pulled off a strange triple play at the expense of the Red Sox in Boston's 5-2 win on May 2. With runners on first and second and no outs in the bottom of the eighth, Jackie Bradley Jr. skied a popup behind shortstop. O’s shortstop, J.J. Hardy, called off left fielder Joey Rickard before the ball fell between both players.
Confusion plagued the Sox runners. Hardy quickly fired to second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who tagged Mitch Moreland as he stood a few steps off of second base, then stepped on second to force out Dustin Pedroia, and threw to Chris Davis to record the third out at first on Bradley, who quite never touched first base. Thinking the Infield Fly Rule would be invoked, Bradley peeled off and headed to the dugout just before reaching first base.
Schoop wisely tagged...
Passing the Runner
“Always know where the ball is,” is a basic tenet for umpires. Unfortunately, concentration of the ball can lead to neglect or lack of awareness of the overall play.
In several of my columns I have noted the lack of proper visual skills on the part of runners and infielders. Failure to observe a teammate or an opponent in the immediate vicinity often results in interference and obstruction plays. As a result of a couple of plays that took place in the 2016 season, you can add umpires to the list.
The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-0 in St. Louis on April 14. In the third inning, the Cards’ Randal Grichuk hit a shot to deep center off Wily Peralta that went off the glove and over the wall of leaping Brewers’ center fielder Keon Broxton for a two-run homer. However, Brandon...
Stop It Now - Part II
Events that Result in an Immediate Dead Ball
Part II
When a non-routine play occurs, the first decision an umpire has to make is whether to call an immediate dead ball or allow play to continue. Last month we examined four types of interference that cause the ball to become immediately dead. Here are two additional types of interference which involve the runner. Except where noted, the material applies equally to NFHS, NCAA and pro rules.
Runner contacts fielder. On batted balls, the fielder has the right of the way. A fielder is protected while he is in the act of fielding a batted ball and while he is in the act of making a play after fielding the ball. If a runner hinders or impedes a fielder in the act of fielding the ball he is out for interference regardless of intent. The ball...
Does a Run Always Score?
It should be the simplest rule in the game and at the same time it is most important. Nearly every team has hopes of winning each time out and Rule 9-1 tells us that “the team whose runners score the greatest total number of runs for the entire regulation game wins”. This same rule tells us that a run is scored when a runner legally advances to and touches all three bases before the there are three outs to end an inning. There are some common exceptions noted in this rule – when the third out is:
The batter-runner is out before reaching first base
A runner is forced out
A preceding runner is declared out for missing a base
When a third out is declared on an appeal and the out is a force out
When there is a fourth out on the final play of the inning and the defense...
Stop it Now
Events that Result in an Immediate Dead Ball
Part I
An immediate dead ball is something every umpire understands. It is obvious the ball becomes dead when a foul is not caught or a batted, thrown or pitched ball goes out of play. However there are many other acts which also cause the ball to become immediately dead. Umpires must recognize those acts and should not allow play to continue. We’ll begin with acts of interference. Except where noted, the material applies equally to NFHS, NCAA and pro rules.
Bat hits ball twice. After hitting or bunting a fair ball, if the bat, still held by the batter, hits the ball a second time in fair territory outside the batter’s box, it is interference. If the batter drops his bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in the umpire’s...
We're Underway
Softball season is now underway in all but the coldest parts of the country. While the southern states always receive a head start we are now getting plays and questions from around the country. This month we will look at some of those plays.
What are the rules on ribbons in the hair? Ribbons are considered headwear and must be black, white, beige, or school colors. The colors need not be the same for all team members. A logo on the ribbon may be any color. (Rule 3-2-5). Ribbons, like any other part of the uniform may not have reflective adornments – examples would be glitter or rhinestones.
From a coach - We have white jerseys as part of our uniform, but we also have team hoodies that are green with name and numbers on them and school logo. The umpire stated that if everyone was...
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The Diamond Challenge DVD includes a 25 question rules test of the most interesting plays in baseball. Following the rules test, Jim walks you through each play and explains each of them in depth along with the key elements.
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