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A baseball fan is a spectator sitting 500 feet from home plate Who can see better than an umpire standing five feet away.
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Friday, February 6
The MOST misunderstood rule
Infield Fly RuleHave you ever wondered why there is an “Infield Fly Rule” in baseball and softball?
The infield fly rule is one of the oldest rules in the game, making its first appearance in baseball rules in 1895. In that year it was in effect with one out. In 1901, the rule was amended to the exact form we use today.
With runners on first and second, or the bases loaded, AND with less than two outs, if the batter hits a fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, the batter is out. If it were not for that rule, wily infielders could try for an easy double play by letting the ball drop untouched to the ground, then throwing for a force out at third base, with the relay catching another runner before he/she reaches his/her base.
Knowing the rule isn't enough. Umpires must follow proper mechanics when making the call. In fact, this is one of the few instances where some of the field mechanics are incorporated into the actual rules language.
When the ball has reached its highest point, the umpire is to say "Infield fly, the batter is out."
The umpire should not "rush to judgment." On windy days, a ball that starts out as an infield fly might end up deep in the outfield. Or, a ball that seems headed for the outfield might end up being easily caught by an infielder.
Remember, the runners will be hanging around near the bases anyway. Since the purpose of the rule is not to give the defense a cheap out, and to prevent the offense from hitting into a cheap double play, wait until you’re certain the ball can be caught with ordinary effort.
If the fly is coming down near the foul line, the umpires must say: "Infield fly, the batter's out, if fair."
Generally speaking, any umpire can determine the status of any potential infield fly and his/her partner should echo the call and signal after his/her partner has made his/her judgment.
Volunteer Umpires
If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Umpire for our league, have patience, a cool head and a better than average understanding of the rules of the game please contact the league Chief Umpire Brad Heater at heater33@hotmail.com
Thursday, January 22
Why Does the Catchers Throat Protector Have to Dangle?
Why Does the Catcher’s Throat Protector Have to Dangle?
By Andy Konyar
Little League International Umpire-in-Chief
It appears that over the course of this past season that there has been a lot of confusion over Rule 1.17.
The section I am referring to is the safety requirement that all catchers MUST have a "dangling" type throat protector attached to the mask of the catcher's helmet. We have observed catcher's helmets without any type of "dangling" throat protector, as well as throat protectors secured so tightly to the lower frame bar that they cannot move or "dangle" to protect the catcher's throat. We have observed them secured so that the throat protector is sticking straight out at a 90-degree angle, providing no protection for the catcher's throat area.
All of these are totally unacceptable.
The "dangling" throat protector should be properly and securely attached so that when the catcher looks up or his/her head is tilted upward that the throat protector will be able to remain down so that the catcher's throat area has some protection. A ball (from a foul or from a pitch in the dirt) or even a bat could possibly come up under the catcher's helmet and cause a severe injury.
To be properly attached, the “dangling” type throat protector should be securely attached from one-fourth of an inch to no more than three-fourths of an inch below the lowest bar or frame of the catchers mask. The throat protector should swing freely and smoothly under the mask when tapped with a finger while holding the catcher's mask/helmet in the hand.
The "dangling" style throat protector is required on any and all types of catchers’ helmets/masks in all divisions of Little League Baseball and Softball. So whether you have the standard frame, the extended frame, the hockey style, etc., the "dangling" throat protector is required.
Yes, even on the extended frame masks – because when a catcher tilts his/her head upward, the frame goes with it – exposing the throat. That is, unless there is a properly positioned “dangling” throat protector in place.
This is a mandatory safety requirement and MUST be strictly enforced at all times by managers, coaches, league officials and umpires. There is NO reason or excuse, (and we have heard them all) for not having a properly attached "dangling" throat protector on all catcher's helmets/mask. The children's safety and well being MUST always be foremost in all that we do in Little League.
It is not worth the risk.
So, PLEASE, help us to make sure that every catcher's helmet/mask in your league’s equipment (whether league-purchased or parent-purchased) has a properly attached "dangling" style throat protector to protect the children from any injury or harm.
A note for the umpires out there: It is not a requirement for the plate umpire to wear a "dangling" throat protector, but it is very strongly recommended that they do.
Thursday, January 22
Base Umpire Has a TOUGH Job
Base Umpire Has a Tough JobOn the Little League 60-foot field, the base umpire has a tough job. The ump must be able to watch the ball, watch the runner(s), and be in the right position to handle his/her responsibilities. The best way to make all that happen is to remember the saying:
“Ball goes out, I go in. If the ball stays in, I stay out.”
Because of the small size of the Little League field, the base umpire must start from behind all the infielders, at the edge of the outfield grass, whether in Position A, B or C. But few of us have extra eyes in the back of our heads, so watching the hit to the outfield and watching the runner(s) at the same time is very tough if we STAY in the outfield.
It is imperative for the base umpire to hustle into the infield if the ball is hit to the outfield, get turned around in the working area (that space behind the pitcher’s mound) and keep his/her head on a swivel, glancing at the runners touching their bases and still watch the ball. The umpire must keep his/her eyes “everlastingly on the ball” in order to know where to go to make a call if necessary. We must let the ball take us to the play and be stopped, settled in, and in position to make a call. Remember that getting the best angle is much more important than distance from the play.
Thursday, January 22
Proper Signals
Proper SignalsHere are some tips every umpire should know on the proper signals.
Ball: On a pitch that is a ball, stay in your stance and verbalize, “Ball.” There is no signal for a pitch that is a ball. Verbalize a ball so that your voice can be heard in both dugouts.
Strike: As umpire-in-chief, stand up from your stance and step back away from the catcher. Continue watching the ball, normally in the catcher’s possession; bring your right arm up, arm extended and parallel to the ground. Bend the elbow 90-degrees; close your fingers into a fist, thumb tucked along the front of the curled fingers and facing you. Motion your right forearm forward and then back, as if pounding a nail. Declare loudly, “Strike!” as you pound the nail. Then, relax as you prepare for the next pitch. Verbalize a strike so that your voice can be heard in the outfield.
Dead Ball: Extend both arms out in front of your body, slightly higher than your shoulders and slightly wider than shoulder width. Extend your hands out, fingers together and pointed up, palms forward as if trying to stop something with your hands. Declare, “Time!” Remember, in any dead ball situation, the ball must be put back into play before play can begin again.
Time: Extend both arms out in front of your body, slightly higher than your shoulders and slightly wider than shoulder width. Extend your hands out, fingers together and pointed up, palms forward as if trying to stop something with your hands. Declare, “Time!” Remember, in any dead ball situation, the ball must be put back into play before play can begin again.
Play, or Play Ball: Point with either hand directly at the pitcher. Call forcefully, “Play ball!”
Infield fly: Begin in a set position; when the ball is hit, pause, read and react; step up, turn and face the fielder(s) and the play. When the ball is descending and you are convinced the batted ball is an infield fly, point straight up with your right hand and declare, “Infield fly! The batter is out.” If the batted ball is near foul territory, the verbal call is, “Infield fly! The batter is out, if fair!” If the batted ball is fair but uncaught, signal an out and declare, “He’s out! He’s out! The batter is still out!” If the batted ball becomes an uncaught foul ball, signal and declare a foul ball.
Infield fly possible: On a regional basis, there are a number of signals used by crews to remind partners that the infield fly situation exists. The most popular signal is still an open right hand placed across the chest; or a simple touch of the bill of the cap, using a closed fist to simultaneously indicate no outs or an extended forefinger to indicate one out; a few areas still have umpires pat the top of their heads. Which “infield fly possible” signal is used is not important; the fact that one is used and recognized is very important. It’s a good idea for the umpires in every crew to know what signal is being used.
Thursday, January 22
Runner Fails to Touch Home Plate
Runner Fails to Touch Home Plate
If a runner, in scoring, fails to touch home plate and continues on his/her way to the bench (making no effort to return), he/she may be put out if the fielder touches home plate and appeals to the umpire for a decision.
However, this rule applies only where a runner is on his/her way to the bench, or has already entered the dugout.
It does not apply to the more common play where the runner misses the plate on the first try, then immediately makes an effort to touch the plate before being tagged. In that case, the runner must be tagged. In such cases, base path rules still apply to the runner (i.e., he/she may not run more than three feet from the “baseline,” which is considered to be a line between the runner and home plate).
On a play at the plate, should the runner miss home plate and the fielder miss the tag on the runner, it is preferable that the umpire make no signal on the play. As outlined in the previous paragraph, the runner must then be tagged, if he/she attempts to return to the plate. If he/she continues on his/her way to the bench, the defense may make an appeal.
A runner may no longer return to touch any missed base -- home plate or otherwise -- after having entered the dugout. However, in this case, if the defense does not appeal before another pitch or play, there is no reference made to missing the plate, and the run counts.
Thursday, January 22
Batting Out of Turn
Batting Out of TurnBatting out of turn can be a little tricky, particularly when more than one batter bats out of turn.
In this scenario, numbers are used instead of Abel, Baker, etc.
Numbers 5, 6, 7 and 8 in the batting order are due to bat in the second inning. Number 7 leads off and doubles, followed by number 6 who sacrifices him to third. What happens if Number 5 then comes to bat and …
…the mistake is discovered by the defense before a pitch is delivered to 5? Since a pitch was made to 6, the double by 7 is legal and 8 should have been the proper batter instead of 5. Batter 8 is then called out, and 9 is the proper batter. Also, the runner who was sacrificed to third must return to second because the advance was as a result of a batted ball hit by an improper batter.
… 5 takes a strike before the mistake is discovered by the defense? Same ruling, except that 8 becomes the proper batter with a count of one strike. Again, no penalty is charged.
… 5 takes a ball that goes to the backstop, bringing 7 in to score, before the mistake is discovered by the defense? The run counts, and 8 becomes the proper batter with a count of one ball. Once again, no penalty is charged.
… 5 flies out, sacrificing 7 in from third, and then the mistake is discovered by the defense? The fly-out counts, but the sacrifice and run do not, and 7 is returned to third base. In this case, the actions of 6 and 7 were legalized, 8 is charged with the at-bat, and 9 becomes the proper batter.
… 5 draws a walk, and then the mistake is discovered by the defense? The walk is nullified, 5 is removed from first base, and 8 (the proper batter in this case) is called out and charged with the at-bat. In this case, the actions of 6 and 7 were legalized, and 9 becomes the proper batter.
Remember, in cases of batting out of order, neither the umpire nor the scorekeeper should bring it to the attention of either team. It is up to the defense to catch the mistake. The pertinent rule is 6.07.
This is different from an ineligible pitcher or player. Anyone (including the opposing manager) who notices that an ineligible pitcher or player is about to enter the game should stop it before it happens.
Thursday, January 22
Is it Interference?
Interference Rule
The interference rule came into play recently in the Major League Baseball playoffs. So now is a good time to talk about a type of interference you don’t see very often. It’s when a base coach reaches out to physically assist the runner.
The rule is: Rule 7.09 – It is interference by a batter or runner when, in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists that runner in returning to or leaving third base or first base;
Question: How can a base coach at third base or first base physically assist the runner at that base?
Answer: A base coach at first or third base could grab a runner to stop them from running passed the base; a base coach at first or third base could place his/her hand on the back of a base runner and give a push when a fly ball is caught to get the runner started in a tag up and advance attempt; a base coach at first or third base could step in front of a runner to get them to stop. These are just a few of the ways coaches could physically assist runners.
Penalty: The runner that is assisted is called out immediately and the ball is dead if there is a play being made on that runner. Otherwise, the runner that is assisted is called out and the ball is dead after all other action is completed (delayed dead ball). However, “high-fiving” a runner during a home run trot, for example, would not be interference.
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