QUESTIONS for those more "in the know" than me.....
1. If a player or a coach asks a field umpire to move to the side so a baserunner can see better, does an umpire HAVE to move? is it common for him to say "No, I'm crouched down, you can see around me?"
2. If a batter is running to 1st base inside the baseline, and the play to throw him out is not impeded or involved with his running inside the baseline, could an umpire call him out simply for being out of the line?
3. Is it part of the rules that ONLY a head coach can address an umpire in a game? or is this just a generally accepted approach/courtesy that umpires want teams (logically) to follow?
Thanks for the info!
1. No, we do not “have to” move. Good umpires are astute to the situation and while 95% of the time, I will move, I will not move out of position . For example i once was in C with R1 and R2, fast R2, and SS asked me to move to my left, I took a step left and he asked for more, I said “I’m sorry, I can’t, I’ll be in bad position if he tries to steal third”
Not making this up, once I was in C and heard an ask to move but kind of quiet, turn around , it’s the CF asking me to move. First and only time I’ve heard that, and no, I did not move for F8
2. Contrary to the previous response, I am fairly certain in HS there’s a stipulation that if umpire judges the fielder did not make the throw bc of runner running illegally, it can be called, but that’s a tough reliance and chance for the C to take, just make a throw and either get the out or get the INT. College and OBR require a field-able throw
3. Yes, the rules say that the head coach (or acting head coach should he be absent or ejected) are responsible for communicating with the umpire on behalf of their team. Asst coaches have very little rope when it comes to interactions with umpires