Ask The Ump?

[AllSports12]

Fighting Eagles:

I think it's because the ball did not technically cross the plane of first/third base in fair territory before ending in foul territory (by definition when the ball hits the base, it has crossed the front of the base in fair territory). Bizarre situation, but it's the only sensible explanation I can come up with.

No only sensible, but supported by rule.

The pitching plate is in front of an imaginary line running from the front corner of 1st and 3ed bases. The fact that it hits the plate means nothing.

This is one of those plays where you could win a few beverages of your choice with friends and family buying.

 

[Yappi]

In HS rules, does the batter need to make an effort to get out of the way of a pitch to be awarded first base on a HBP.

A pitch is thrown inside and the batter tries to move out of the way but the ball hits the knob of the bat and goes into foul territory. Foul ball, HBP, or a ball?

 

[davis5305]

Runner on third batter hits ground ball to short stop, play is deemed to be catcher interference and batter is awarded first, should runner be advanced to home? Or is catcher interference a dead ball no advance for the baserunner?

Runner was advanced and was a deciding play in a 1 run game.

 

[Deleted75680]

Runner on third batter hits ground ball to short stop, play is deemed to be catcher interference and batter is awarded first, should runner be advanced to home? Or is catcher interference a dead ball no advance for the baserunner?

Runner was advanced and was a deciding play in a 1 run game.

Did the batter make it to first without getting put out? Catcher interference is a delayed dead ball.

 

[Deleted75680]

In HS rules, does the batter need to make an effort to get out of the way of a pitch to be awarded first base on a HBP.

A pitch is thrown inside and the batter tries to move out of the way but the ball hits the knob of the bat and goes into foul territory. Foul ball, HBP, or a ball?

A batter cannot permit a pitch to hit him.

 

[AllSports12]

Runner on third batter hits ground ball to short stop, play is deemed to be catcher interference and batter is awarded first, should runner be advanced to home? Or is catcher interference a dead ball no advance for the baserunner?

Runner was advanced and was a deciding play in a 1 run game.

This is a delayed dead ball. The play should be allowed to continue.

If the batter-runner and all runners advanced at least one base, then the obstruction is ignored. (in high school this is catcher's obstruction)

If the above does not happen, the head coach may take the result of the play and decline the obstruction penalty.

If he chooses the penalty, it is enforced as follows...

- The batter is awarded first base
- If any runner was attempting to steal on the pitch (or score via a squeeze attempt), then they are awarded the base they were advancing to.
- Any runner not attempting to advance on the pitch is returned to the base occupied at the time of the pitch unless forced to move by a prior runner.


Based on what your describe, the runner should have been returned to third if the batter was awarded first.

 

[AllSports12]

In HS rules, does the batter need to make an effort to get out of the way of a pitch to be awarded first base on a HBP.

By rule the batter shall not permit a pitched ball to touch him. However, it is solely up to the umpire whether or not this occurred. Many times batters are "locked up" when a pitch heads their way. Many times people view a lack of movement by the batter as permitting the ball to hit him. This isn't always the case.

A pitch is thrown inside and the batter tries to move out of the way but the ball hits the knob of the bat and goes into foul territory. Foul ball, HBP, or a ball?

If the ball comes to rest in foul territory or is touched by the defense in foul territory before it bounds fair, it's a foul ball.

 

[D1ball]

Batter turns to square to put a bunt down and one foot is in the box and the other is behind home plate and not on the plate. Puts ball in play and is called out for stepping behind the plate to make contact with the ball. What is the correct call out or safe as he beat out the throw to first?

 

[AllSports12]

If a batter hits a ball fair or foul with a foot or knee on the ground entirely outside the batter's box, he is declared out by rule.

If any part of that foot is touching the line, he is considered in the box. If any part of his foot touches the plate, he is out by rule.

Sounds like from your description, the batter was out of the box.

 

[Yappi]

Batter at the plate with a 1-0 count. Pitcher goes into his windup and the offensive bench yells loudly in unison. Umpire calls interference, batter out. Correct call?

 

[AllSports12]

Batter at the plate with a 1-0 count. Pitcher goes into his windup and the offensive bench yells loudly in unison. Umpire calls interference, batter out. Correct call?

No.

At the end of the play (pitch, hit, out...etc) issue a warning to the individual/individuals involved. Eject on the next occurrence.

This is becoming more and more prevalent in baseball. There is nothing wrong with chatter, however if it becomes unsportsmanlike in nature or judged to be specifically done to interrupt the pitcher as he his pitching the ball (the chatter gets louder when he is about tho deliver) the act is now illegal and should be dealt with.

A word with the Head Coach is recommended when the warning is issued.

 

[AnUnbiasedOpinion]

If any part of his foot touches the plate, he is out by rule.

When did this change? the batter's box is only 6 inches from the plate. Most players have a foot that is longer than 6 inches. So a batter can easily have his tour touching home plate while his heel is still within the batter's box.

 

[AllSports12]

When did this change? the batter's box is only 6 inches from the plate. Most players have a foot that is longer than 6 inches. So a batter can easily have his tour touching home plate while his heel is still within the batter's box.

It's not an infraction under Official Baseball Rules. However, it's always been the case in High School rules.

 

[pjsvb]

Batter hits ball to right center gap, misses first base when running, and ends up on second base. Team appeals, pitcher throws to first, ump calls him out. How is that scored? 1-3 putout???

 

[AllSports12]

Batter hits ball to right center gap, misses first base when running, and ends up on second base. Team appeals, pitcher throws to first, ump calls him out. How is that scored? 1-3 putout???

In High School, this would be 3 unassisted.

If the appeal for missing a base is a dead ball verbal appeal, the putout is credited to the fielder at that base.

 

[AnUnbiasedOpinion]

It's not an infraction under Official Baseball Rules. However, it's always been the case in High School rules.

Thanks - it's right there in black and white:

Section 7.3 Batting Infractions - A batter shall not:
Art. 2 . . . Hit the ball fair or foul while either foot or knee is touching the
ground completely outside the lines of the batter’s box or touching home plate.​

 

[pjsvb]

In High School, this would be 3 unassisted.

If the appeal for missing a base is a dead ball verbal appeal, the putout is credited to the fielder at that base.

Does it go in the books as a hit?

 

[AllSports12]

Does it go in the books as a hit?

No

 

[SkipChaser82]

Here's one:

Runner at 2B. Ball hit to 3b, he throws across to get runner at 1B. Runner at 2b goes to 3B, and 1Bman throws across field to try to get him. Ball skips past 3Bman and sticks in fence about waist high. The SS who was backing up throw immediately goes to get the ball, pulls it out of fence and runner at 3B can't advance.

Should that have been an immediately "Dead Ball" as soon as it stuck in the fence? and the runner awarded Home? Or since the SS ran and grabbed the ball was it a situation where the runner COULD have gone and tried to get all he could get?

THanks.

 

[AllSports12]

The ball is dead as soon as it becomes lodged. Two bases are awarded to each runner from where they were at the time of the throw.

In this situation, the runner who stated at 2nd is awarded home.

 

[OSUBuckeye2001]

The ball is dead as soon as it becomes lodged. Two bases are awarded to each runner from where they were at the time of the throw.

In this situation, the runner who stated at 2nd is awarded home.

Interesting. I heard that if you play the ball its live but if it gets stuck you throw you hands but the game gets stopped, But the second you got after it the ball is played as live. I trust what your saying I was just telling you what Ive heard said before but a few umpires.

 

[AllSports12]

Once the ball becomes dead either by rule or by a statement of an umpire, they only way to make the ball live is for the pitcher have the ball on the rubber, the catcher and batter ready for play (in their respective boxes) and the Plate Umpire declares "Play".

What commonly happens (what you and the other umpires you spoke with may be referring to) is when a ball goes under a fence or enters an area designated as dead ball territory, (batting turtle, bench in a bullpen area, etc...) they are instructed to throw their hands up indicating that the ball is not accessible. These areas are usually out of sight from the umpires and will require them to go and physically inspect the status of the ball. If the ball is indeed in dead ball territory or dead by rule, then base awards will be meted out by rule. If the player "goes digging' then throws his/her hands up, the umpires can award bases over an above what is dictated by rule. This prevents a player pushing a ball into dead ball territory and gaining a potential advantage.

 

[bb9]

If the umpire sees the ball is dead, he kills the play immediately, whether the fielder goes after it or not.

 

[bballer62]

Question.....is there any rule governing music being played between innings or while teams are warming up in ohsaa?

 

[tallmadge H2 dad]

Runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

Ball is pop up to first baseman. Umpire calls infield fly, batter out. The first base runner runs into the 1st baseman as he is returning to 1st base and 1st baseman is in process of catching the ball. Is the runner out also?

 

[bucksman]

Runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out.

Ball is pop up to first baseman. Umpire calls infield fly, batter out. The first base runner runs into the 1st baseman as he is returning to 1st base and 1st baseman is in process of catching the ball. Is the runner out also?

The runner could be ruled out for interference, as the fielder has the right to make the first play on the ball. I am pretty confident that then becomes a double play. Furthermore, if the umpire deems the contact by the runner at first base to be malicious, said runner could be ejected from the game.

 

[AllSports12]

The runner could be ruled out for interference, as the fielder has the right to make the first play on the ball. I am pretty confident that then becomes a double play. Furthermore, if the umpire deems the contact by the runner at first base to be malicious, said runner could be ejected from the game.

The batter runner is out by rule for the IFF. The runner is out by rule for the interference. The inning is over.

You cannot ignore the IFF, and you cannot ignore the interference as the runner are permitted to advance at their own risk. The interference can hinder or impede the fielder from making the catch and then making a play on a runner trying to advance or return to a base.

 

[AllSports12]

Question.....is there any rule governing music being played between innings or while teams are warming up in ohsaa?

Schools are expected to use common sense and good taste with regards to music played between innings or during batter "walk-ups".

If there is a problem with this, a game report should be filed by the umpires.

 

[DP Lane]

here's one:

Runners on 1st, 3rd. one out. Batter hits short pop fly into right field. BU goes out for possible trap. HPU watching fair/foul line.

Runner at 3rd leaves before catch by RF. Runs all but 4-5 steps from home, retreats back toward third; 3rd Base Fielder catches relay throw from 1st baseman ( thrown to him by RF after catch). HPU calls runner safe.

Defensive team's coach argues this is a live ball appeal; therefore no tag need be applied to runner heading back to third( obviously Runner believed he left too early as well.) Correct or no?

 

[AllSports12]

Runners on 1st, 3rd. one out. Batter hits short pop fly into right field. BU goes out for possible trap. HPU watching fair/foul line.

Runner at 3rd leaves before catch by RF. Runs all but 4-5 steps from home, retreats back toward third; 3rd Base Fielder catches relay throw from 1st baseman ( thrown to him by RF after catch). HPU calls runner safe.

Defensive team's coach argues this is a live ball appeal; therefore no tag need be applied to runner heading back to third( obviously Runner believed he left too early as well.) Correct or no?

First, with runners at 1st and 3rd, the Base Umpire has no business leaving the infield for a possible trap.....ever.... Since you indicated the Plate Umpire is watching for fair/foul, that tells me the ball is down the line, placing the responsibility for fair/foul - catch/no catch - and the tag up by the runner at third on this play all on the the Plate Umpire.

If the throw to third beat the runner back to the base, then the runner is out, provided he left early or did not tag up at all.

Was an explanation given for the safe call?