Ask The Ump?

[umpire16]

Runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs.

Batter hits a HR. Runner from 3rd misses home plate. Runner from 1st touches home plate. Batter touches home plate. After both score, the original runner from 3rd is told to go back and touch home.

Is the runner automatically out? Does the defense have to appeal? How many runs score? No harm, no foul?

A couple of things here. First, even though the runner from third misses the plate, other runners must be given the opportunity to complete their base running duties. A home run is a dead ball so the appeal is verbal. And can be done by any member of the defense so long as all runners have an opportunity to complete baserunning duties and before they leave the field.

Because the runner who missed the base was the first one in the series, and constitutes the third out, no following runners can legally score. They can also not return to retouch after proceeding runners have touched. Therefore, no runs score.

see rule 3 section 2 penalty and article 6.

 

[Gnep27]

I was watching the World Baseball Classic and this happened. Play at first, the throw pulled the first baseman off the base. The first baseman reached back to tag the runner and his elbow hit the runners head but he clearly missed him with the tag. The runner was called out and the announcer said it was because the elbow was an extension of the glove?? I have never heard that and if correct, where does that “extension” end? Or did the umps just miss it and the announcer was wrong on his explanation?
Thanks

 

[AllSports12]

I was watching the World Baseball Classic and this happened. Play at first, the throw pulled the first baseman off the base. The first baseman reached back to tag the runner and his elbow hit the runners head but he clearly missed him with the tag. The runner was called out and the announcer said it was because the elbow was an extension of the glove?? I have never heard that and if correct, where does that “extension” end? Or did the umps just miss it and the announcer was wrong on his explanation?
Thanks

Announcers are clueless.

Haven't seen the play, but what you describe is not an out. Unfortunately for Puerto Rico, they could not challenge the call

 

[Gnep27]

Announcers are clueless.

Haven't seen the play, but what you describe is not an out. Unfortunately for Puerto Rico, they could not challenge the play

Lol, thank you! I thought I was losing my mind. I have never heard that before. I have a video of the play but I don’t know how to post it. It was interesting for sure.
Appreciate your insight as always.

 

[TheBallCoach]

Is there a rule that makes bat flips illegal in High School and/or College? What is the rule number?

 

[umpire16]

Is there a rule that makes bat flips illegal in High School and/or College? What is the rule number?

There is not an NFHS rule specifically prohibiting this by the term 'bat flip.'

I place this under 3-3-f1, 2, and 4 and 3-3-l governing participant conduct and throwing of bats.

How it is handled (i.e. warn, restrict, eject or go right to eject) is in the judgement of the calling official. Since this action is unsporting, taking care of it via the rules and penalties prescribed will also be considered preventative officiating because - in certain views of baseball culture - it is likely the next pitch is going to be right at a batter which would be an immediate ejection of the pitcher and potential further conflict ensuing.

I don't have the NCAA rules book in front of me but surmise it's a similar rationale. In my early NCAA officiating days we did not preventatively officiate this situation, the next pitch came at the batter's head, and 9 ejections later we finally moved on. There were a combined 32 games missed due to penalties, and the conference coordinator made sure to let us know we did not handle it properly.

What I tell those who ask is that such actions are unnecessary. And that is why in rules of different you see unnecessary as part of describing a penalty (i.e. unnecessary roughness in football). If it were necessary, it would be permitted.

I am all in favor of showing emotion and passion. However, at times it crosses the line and must be addressed.