Ump Stumper 3/30

So this is a actual situation that happened this season.

Situation goes like this.
Runner on third with no outs. The batter runner swings and hits a bounding ball down the 3rd baseline. The runner steps back on the bag and F5 (third baseman) runs up to field the ball. The batter runner is very fast and F5 decides to let the ball go foul since he will surely not retire the batter runner. Therefore he allows the ball to pass thinking it may go foul and it proceeds to hit the runner on third base in the thigh. The ball hit him while it was fair.

What do you call? Please explain.
Is it a dead ball or delayed dead ball?
Is there interference? Why or Why Not?
Who is out? Please place runners

Have Fun and see you tonight!

What's The Call Thursday!

Today's Post is brought to us by our very own Jon Payne.

One out and runners on 1st and 3rd.

Strike three swinging, the batter interferes with the catchers throw to 2nd and throw does not retire the runner. The runner from 3rd scores.

What happens now? What if there were also no outs prior to the strike out?

Thanks

Uniform and equipment exchanges

Anyone who purchases new equipment or uniforms and wants to get rid of their old stuff by donating it to the association for distribution please contact the trainers or other members of the board.
thanks
tj

Dead Ball?

This situation was brought to my attention from one of our first year umpires.

The situation came up during a game. It was his first plate game. The visiting team had a runner on third with a 3-0 count. The next pitch was a wild pitch that went to back stop. The batter-runner advances to first and the runner on third scores.

The coach on the home team comes arguing that the ball should be dead and the runner should go back to third. This was discussed between partners and they decided that the ball does not become dead unless it goes out of play on this situation. After the game to coach approached again very friendly and insisted that the ball is dead and no run scores.

I will comment below. These are the situations we should be discussing on the blog. Continue to send them to me or simply comment on a previous one and I will stick it in. Good job guys.

What's The Call Thursday

Good Day all. Rookies hopefully you are taking a daily look at the page. If you are a 1st or second year please try to comment. This really is here for you.

Today's stitch: 1 Out. Runners on 2nd and 3rd. Fly ball hit deep to right center is caught. Both runners attempt to tag. However runner from second tags and leaves too early. The runner from 3rd scores and runner from second advances to 3rd. There is now 2 outs. Before the next pitch the defensive coach verbally appeals that the runner from 2nd left early. Therefore the runner is called out, making the 3rd out.

Question: Does the run from third still score? Why or why not? Also is it a timing play, and how?

Plate Talk

Last meeting in the Rookie Room we did discuss this. But putting down in writing will give all rookies something to look at as a reminder.

1. Ten minutes prior begin heading to field for inspection
2. Bat and Helmets Inspection
3. Talk
4. Lineups
5. Ground Rules
6. Dugouts
7. Legally and Properly Equipped
8.First Aid

When should we start the plate talk?
The plate talk occurs after both teams have taken infield. Under no circumstances may the plate talk occur off to the side while ANY activity is happening on the field. As you and you partner enter the field together you should go inspect bats and helmets of each team. Also be sure to receive your baseballs for the game at this time.

What do you mean inspect bats and helmets?
When going to the dugouts the bats and helmets should already be available to inspect. If not ask someone for help getting out to you. Look for defects in the helmets. Mostly these will be cracks. Once a helmet is cracked it is not allowed to be used. They cannot simply use tape or anything else to repair it. Each helmet should have a NOCSAE mark certifying it. That should not be a problem since all helmets commercially used are certified this way. Each bat should be labeled with a silkscreen or permanent BESR certification mark. No BESR label, sticker or decal will be accepted. It needs to be permanent. If something doesn't meet standards and is deemed illegal take it to the coach and inform him so.

The Plate Talk
The plate umpire takes charge of the meeting. He is facing the mound while the base umpire is facing him on the opposite side of the plate. Each coach will stand opposing each other on the left and right. Introduce yourselves to the coaches and shake hands. From here the home plate umpire will run the discussion. The base umpire is a silent observer.

Take the home teams lineup first, then the visitors. Inspect each lineup card and then separate the cards if attached and give them to each coach. While inspecting verify with each coach if they are using a DH or not, who they are hitting for and where in the order he is batting. Example, "Coach, Smith will be DHing for Bruyns in the 7th spot". Or "coach straight nine today, great". Also be sure to verify that there are not any duplicate numbers.

Ground Rules
Ask the home coach to give you the ground rules. "Coach, will you please take us around?". Simple huh? He should proceed to discuss the ground rules. Be sure to have him start at a spot and go around from there. Try to not let them start and just jump from spot to spot. Make if fluid and not confusing. The ground rules should be legal and not against anything in the rulebook. If the visiting coach doesn't agree with a ground rule the home plate umpire shall make final ruling. Discuss the ground rules with the coach if unclear.

Dugouts
Remind both coaches to have all equipment and everyone, include themselves to remain inside the dugout. Especially buckets. If they choose to sit on a bucket, every bit of themselves must be inside that dugout.

On Deck
Only one on deck batter at a time. They must stay on their side of the field. If a pitcher is warming up during at inning, again they must do the same as above. Never let a batter swing close to the home plate cutout while a pitcher is warming up. Move the kid back to the on deck circle.

Equipment and First Aid
Ask both coaches and be sure to get a yes from them on being properly equipped. Example, "are all players legally and properly equiped"?

Also be sure that there is a blood spill kit available. Example, "Coach, do you have a blood kit or athletic trainer available"? (If the athletic trainer is on the bench that fine but if roaming around to other games be sure the blood kit is on site so in case of blood it can be taken care of instead of waiting for the AT to arrive).

Lastly ask you partner is there is anything to add. You may have forgotten something.

That's it, in a long drawn out nutshell. Also if I forgot anything please comment. Thanks

Good luck!

The Science of Balls and Strikes

Here is a video we showed last year during a meeting. So many of you have seen it but some of who certainly haven't. The video is from fox sports and has Jim Evan's teaching the host how to call balls and strikes. Enjoy.

Batting

Hello everyone. Hopefully the weather cooperates with us a bit and allows for some baseball this week. Also if you happen across any interesting situations or something you would like to have others give an opinion on feel free to email it to me at rrodriguez@bethel.k12.or.us and I can put in on the site. That goes for vets and especially rookie room guys. Thanks and go call some strikes and outs!

Situation: Batter 1 (B1) strides forward when making contact with the pitched ball.
His front foot:
(a) is in the air when contact is made and then lands completely outside the batters box
(b)is partially on the line of the batter's box and partially on the ground outside the line of the box
or
(c) is on the ground entirely outside the line of the batter's box

Whats the ruling for a, b, and c? And does it matter if the contact with the pitch is fair or foul?

Thursday is now... What's the call Thursdays!

So perhaps a great way to keep this thing going is perhaps have themed days. So we are starting...What's the call Thursdays. Thanks to Paul sending this out to a few of us we can discuss. So...Whats the call?

Please comment and explain
your reasons. Thanks

Handling Those Situations Part 2

Once again handling argument situations properly takes some experience. However with proper training and practice you should be able to always act accordingly.

Partner Help
1. Do not gang up on a coach. If he is having a "discussion" with your partner you should be
within a ear's distance. If multiple coaches for some ungodly reason are there escort away the
assistant. Simply do not double team a coach.
2. When he is restricted to the dugout or ejected you may begin to move in and attempt (without
physically handling him) to escort him to the dugout. Granted he may rant for a bit, be calm
and let him know its time to go.
3. Help your partner out. This is different from having "rabbit ears" and hearing everything said
during the game. If your partner is being ridden by coaches or players in a way that is too far,
warn, talk to your partner between innings and be ready at times to step in. If Jamie and I
work a game and something inappropriate is said from the bench and he didn't hear it I may
choose to step in and take the action. I am trying not to step on his toes but I may be
necessary at times. Choose wisely.

Things They Simply Cannot Do...
1. Argue balls and strikes.... This includes check swings. They will harp and chirp at times. This
should not be persistent. Coaches cannot do this. Especially, they are not allowed to leave
their position to argue these judgment calls. This cannot be allowed.
2.Ask on every pitch, "where was that one?" This is not needed to be directed to you or to the
catcher. Honestly I have no problems with a coach asking at times to see where his pitcher is
missing but not to show his disgust at a call. A good catcher should work with you back there.
"Sir, was that low?" Simply say yes it was low. Or if the the pitch was close and it was outside
and the coach asks the catcher usually will say, " it was outside coach". At times you may have
a catcher say, "I don't know" or shrugs his shoulder. This will start to look as if you are wrong
to everyone. Simply ask the catcher to work with you, especially if he wants those pitches
called strikes.
3. Storm out of the dugout and scream at you.... That may look great in professional baseball
but it does not fly in high school baseball. If often results in an ejection
4. Point around during an argument.... You should keep your arms behind your back or relaxed
at your sides during an argument... and so should the coach. Do not allow the coach to point
around. It can be interpreted from the benches and the stands as he is showing you something
that you did not see. It is not needed. Ask him to put his hands down and stop pointing.
5. Show you.... what I mean it show you the slide marks, chalk line or what happened. This is
not allowed and again can be interpreted from the benches and the stands as he is showing you
something that you did not see.

Be approachable
A major complaint we hear from managers and coaches is that some officials are not approachable. They are afraid to even come out due to possibly getting the EJ (ejection). Part of the problem is these managers and coaches come out screaming and acting in a way unfitting of remaining in the game. Sometimes umpires are quick on the trigger. I'm not here to bash fellow umpires for giving the EJ (heck I get my fair share) because nearly all ejections are due from the coach ejecting himself. I feel we should strive to be approachable by coaches. I deeply feel that baseball is a great game and the traditions of coaches and mangagers being able to approach the arbiter on the field is timeless. They should come out and pleed their case. Not throw a fit. But argue for his cause. Allow this at times, it is part of the game. Yet, when they cross the line... it is time to go

Rules to argue by..
1. Allow coaches to come talk to you
2. Give them reasonable amount of time to "explain" to you what they need to say (20-30
seconds) Do not allow them to go on and on. Be in charge when you decide this discussion is
done, it is done. Example, "Coach, I understand your argument, but that is my call. We need to
move on".
3. Keep arms down
4. Be in control, calm and not be a red a$% (unless you have to)
5. Do not allow a coach to constantly abuse you. If you are new they will try to test you.
6. Do not chase a coach, if he leaves do not follow. If he wants to talk have him come to you.
7. Do not agrue or in any way address a fan. We do not care what they have to say. They are not
part of the game. If something gets out of hand. Approach the coach and they can deal with it.
Again do not eject fans or address calls with fans.

Vets please comment and add anything you may feel is appropriate. Thanks

The first pitch is almost here. Study up, practice in front of the mirror, shine those shoes, crease that hat, practice your tracking and get ready for the ride. Only 4 days left!

-Ricky

Handling Those Situations Part 1

At our first clinic this year Garret quoted Jim Evans saying, "95% of this game can call itself". There will be games that you are in the field and really don't make many calls. You still have to work your butt off by busting to the correct position and work hard. You may signal safe, foul, or outs but nothing close. This is normal, this is baseball. However there will be games that you constantly are calling those bang-bang plays or ruling on weird situations (the other 5 %). Those games will drain you, so be prepared. We are there to do a job and that is to call that game. It can be fun and it can be a bit rough at times. You will learn this with experience. There will be days that nobody says a word and days where half to everyone may hate you. That is part of the job. There will be times a coach tests you to see your limits to see how much he can get away with. There also will be times a coach goes off for little reason or very good reason. Ejections happen. They should not happen often, but they happen. So I wanted to give a simple post about handling situations. This should be new to all of the rookies and may serve as a refresher to the vets.

Simply, Don't take it! That does not mean you have to be a red A@# and go looking for trouble. What that means is that you should be approachable by coaches and able to discuss situations with them, yet not taking remarks and inappropriate actions from them. There is a balance. You will learn this with proper training and experience. Always ask your peers and veterans, "did I handle this right?" That is what this is all about.


Steps to Handling those Situations

Step 1 Ignore
a. Ignore what they say. Example: "Come on Blue be consistent, that ball was up. That is
terrible!"
b. Ignoring someone who wants attention will frustrate them.

Step 2 Acknowledgment
a. Take a look at the coach
b. It can be verbal, "I hear you Mike!"
c. Acknowledge that you heard them, do not move toward them, and you may possibly give
them the stop sign with your hand

Step 3 Warn
a. Step out from your position
b. Verbal, "Coach this is your warning"
c. At that moment write down your warning on your line up card
d. He has now had a verbal and physical warning
e. Be prepared to act on your warning

Step 4 Restrict/Eject
a. The coach has been warned
b. In Fed rules coaches may be restricted to the dugout instead of being ejected. Verbal:
"Coach, you are restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game."
c. Be prepared for an ejection. Typically coaches do not like to be restricted and feel they may as
well be ejected.
d. If there is an argument with a call you can use this verbal mechanic, "Coach, if you do not immediately go back (or stop complaining from the dugout) you will leave the game."
e. Give a strong, yet not over the top, ejection mechanic and prepare for the fallout :)

Tomorrow we can continue with this in Part Deux. We will possibly discuss what to do during the arguments and after the ejections regarding partner help.

How Does it Work?

You may comment on any of the posts. Actually you are encouraged to. However you may need to create a Google Account. If not you can do it as anonymous. If so please sign your comment. We prefer you create an account. Its easy

Click comments and use the pull down tab asking your profile and click Google account.
Click create an account. From there...
1. enter email address
2. password
3. create a user name (example Ump22)
4. Verify
From there you are set. Comment away!

Official First Post

So here it is. The actual first official LCUA training blog post. I simply want to show some points how this could be useful for training purposes. Maybe it will be , maybe not.

I am I guy that at times has free time and checks out other umpire sites. I know there are a few of you like that. I also know many of your have zero free time but like to relax and learn a bit when you have time. What I would like to see is us as a group try to use this medium to help supplement the training of our newer umpires. We as a group have become more and more tech savy. Powerpoints, video, the arbiter, and email. I think to myself why not a blog. We can try it for the first years as a Beta (trial) and see how it goes. We can post pictures for fun, training, and even video for training purposes. By placing a rule or situation every other day or so could promote growth amongst the new guys and maybe the vets. I for one look at umpire.org and read the forums daily, but would enjoy a discussion within the group through the week.

So here is what I propose:

1. Post regularly
2. Have members read and comment or leave opinions
3. Members email situations that they have to possibly be posted and have members discuss
4. Post pictures and video for fun and training purposes
5. Have a daily place for our umpires to visit during the week to prepare for the upcoming meeting

Any other thoughts that you would like to have happen? Thanks all

The Blogger-R.Rodriguez

Ump Stumper 3/4

Message From Paul S. on the Arbiter...
Ump Stumper: 1 out, nobody on base, 2-2 count. The batter swings for the third strike and walks towards his dugout (first base side). He is five feet away from the dugout when teammates tell him that the catcher dropped the pitched ball (which he did). The catcher has already thrown the ball back to the pitcher when the batter sprints on a direct line to first base. The pitcher’s throw to first base goes out of play. Should the batter have already been declared out? If not, which base should he be awarded? (Answer at March 9th meeting.)
Please feel free to post opinions and rule references if applicable!!
-the blogger