tzemaitis

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 45 total)
1 2 3
  • Replies
  • tzemaitis
    Participant
    Where on the site did you see this information? The rulings here are very good, and 6.03 (not 6.02) rules that the foot must be entirely outside the batter’s box.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    You would have to rule either hit or error, there aren’t any other choices as the fielder did not attempt to make a play on another runner which would then make a FC an option.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    On the 3-1 move, the pitcher has fully satisfied the feint to third as long as he has stepped towards third and feinted a throw with his arm.  As such, he does NOT need to disengage while reversing course and throwing to first base.  However, it is important to realize that the pitcher is still engaged with the rubber so the pitcher must throw to first in this case or be subject to a balk since the pitcher is not allowed to feint to first base.  If the pitcher does disengage while feinting to third, then the pitcher may feint to first because his status is now that of an  infielder.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    OBR requires a live ball in order to accept an appeal. Rule 5.12(B) states “After the ball is dead, play shall be resumed when the pitcher takes
    his place on the pitcher’s plate with a new ball or the same ball in his possession and the plate umpire calls “Play.” The plate umpire
    shall call “Play” as soon as the pitcher takes his place on his plate with the ball in his possession.”  There is no reference to the batter being needed in making the ball “live” so you may do this action with just the defense.  Once you have made the ball “live” the defense can initiate a proper appeal that the BR missed 2nd base and his run will be disallowed, and others, if applicable.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    Since no throw was made, this is obstruction without an attempted play.  You would “award” the runner after all action has ceased the bases to which would nullified the obstruction.  In this case, returning to 2nd base.  However, had the pitcher thrown the ball, t

    his would be obstruction on the SS with an attempted play.  As such, you would call “time” and award the runner one base beyond the base last legally required which, in this case, would be 3rd base.

    tzemaitis
    Participant
    Begin with a case book which gives complete scenarios of plays and how certain rules are interpreted to come to the ruling in a real life situation.   As you progress, you realize that you must understand the “Definitions” as something like a “catch” isn’t as simple to define as the single word it is.  You will then find the rules, the penalties/awards for those rules, and finally the exceptions to the rules.  These layers are what makes it challenging at times to have a complete understanding of the play.  I think of the case books (many different versions are available depending on what age group you are doing), as sort of the old school “Cliff notes” which would summarize the main topics for books more concisely for you.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    For Little League, Rule 7.10  – Any runner shall be called out on appeal when – (b) with the ball in play, while advancing or returning to a base, the runner fails to touch each base in order before said runner, or a missed base, is tagged.    A.R.  (Approved Ruling) – No runner may return to touch a missed base after a following runner has scored.

    The verbiage is a bit out of order for your question, but the above rule states that baserunners may advance or return to a missed base.  However, at home plate, there is an approved ruling that prevents the runner from returning to the base path once a following runner has scored.   If the runner is eligible to return, he is also eligible to be called out on proper appeal by the defense prior to his legal touching of the base he missed.

    tzemaitis
    Participant
    The run would count as the appeal of a base left early is a timing play, and not a force out.  Since the appeal action occurred after R3 touched home, the run counts.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    There are several questions in your post, and several rules references:

    1.) Batter continuously steps out of the batters box:  NFHS 7-3-1 Batting Infractions: A batter shall not delay the game by failing to take his position promptly in the batter’s box within 20 seconds.  The batter must keep at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout the time at bat.  There are a list of exceptions where a batter can step out of the box, but none are relevant to your question.   Penalty: For failure of the batter to be ready, the umpire shall call a strike.  If the reason for the batter to step out seems unsportsmanlike, the umpire can refuse to give “time” and keep the 20 second clock running.

    2.) At one point, the pitcher had almost released the ball and ended up doing so:  This indicates that the pitcher had already begun the pitching motion, and did pitch the ball.  NFHS Rule 6-24-d-1 applies wherein “if the pitcher….while the batter steps out of the box … legally delivers a ball, it shall be called a strike and the ball remains live.”

    3.) Can the batter ask for time 3 times for no reason?  NFHS Rule 3.3.1-f-1  A coach, player, etc., shall not commit any unsportsmanlike act to include, but not limited to, behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play. Penalty: The umpire shall warn the offender unless the offense is judged to me major, in which case an ejection shall occur.

    4.) The pitcher would stand for about 15 seconds doing nothing, is that allowed?  NFHS Rule 6-2-2-c  Delay of game includes failing to pitch or make or attempt a play, including a legal feint, within 20 seconds after he has received the ball.  Penalty: The batter shall be awarded one ball.   Your timing describes a legal action by the pitcher.

    tzemaitis
    Participant
    There are many reasons why an umpire might do this.  Typically, it is done  because there is conversation at home plate with the batter and/or catcher.  For example, a batter may have something in his eye, but doesn’t step out of the box, only asking the umpire for “time”.  A ball from the bullpen may have come onto the field.  A relief pitcher and catcher may have just run out of the dugout on their way to the bullpen, and the umpire is trying to protect them from being hit by a foul ball.

    In your comment, if the pitcher is quick pitching, it is in violation of the spirit of fair play.  Why would you be concerned about protecting the defenses right to pickoff to first when they are the ones not abiding by the rules by quick pitching?  In extreme circumstances of a pitcher trying to continually quick pitch, it can be an umpire tool to hold up his hand creating a “time” situation rather than warn and eject the pitcher for violations of fair play.

    tzemaitis
    Participant
    The fielder must make an unmistakable appeal for the missed base as the runner is considered to have acquired second when he passed it.  Stepping on the base is not enough to make an unmistakable appeal unless the action of the play is imminent.  For example, the runner is headed back to first and the ball is being thrown from LF to first and everyone can see that it is going to be a close play.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    If you adjudge that F6 had an opportunity to field the ball, then this is interference on R2.   Protection of a fielder can change during the course of a play as it did in this situation from F5 to F6.  As an aside, if a fielder and a runner collide, you can’t have “nothing”.  You must adjudge interference or obstruction. The only exceptions are the immediate time after a fielder has completed an attempt at fielding a thrown ball such as a 1st baseman and a runner trying to go to second base on an overthrow or tangle/untangle at home plate.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    In addition to the above, runners advance to the next base.
    tzemaitis
    Participant
    Per Jaksa/Roder: p.73 2.) If there is a runner, it is not a balk when an in-contact pitcher throws to an unoccupied base to appeal.

    Thus, situation 1 is incorrect, and this play is not a balk, rule on the appeal…the pitcher is not required to disengage in NFHS unless he is in the windup position where he can only pitch or step off. From the set, he is eligible to throw to all bases with a step. However, if the pitcher made some other movement which did constitute a balk, it would be considered a play and the appeal would no longer be possible.

    Situation 2: The defense only loses it’s right to appeal if it initiates a play. Since the hand to mouth is an illegal action resulting in an illegal pitch, you have a play (balk or ball award), the defense is no longer eligible to appeal.

    tzemaitis
    Participant
    NFHS ruling difference only applies if runner is stealing on the pitch.  If so, the batter is out, and the runner is returned…unless you had two strikes in which the batter was already out so you would get the runner as well.   In OBR, the batter is safe, and the stealing runner is returned to TOP.  However, under NFHS rules if the contact takes the catcher down, dropping the ball, and the runner begins his advance as a result of the backswing interference, then “time” is called and the runner is simply returned to his TOP base with the batter remaining at the plate.  This scenario would be in line with OBR.
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 45 total)
1 2 3

Don't strike out!

Become a part of the largest baseball rules community in the world!

Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current and former Major League Baseball players and umpires.
SIGN UP FOR FREE