21 minute read
BASEBALL
Proper positioning for force plays at first base includes being in a location where Jonathan Jackson, Kelso, Wash., can see the completion of the catch, the first baseman’s foot in relation to the bag and the batter-runner hitting the base.
Let the Action Guide You to the Proper Mechanic on Force Plays
By Scott Tittrington
While there is still plenty of baseball to be worked during the summer of 2022, it’s also true that for many umpires, camp season is here. That means it’s time to open the eyes and ears, close the mouth and become a sponge to all of the information, insights and instructions you’re dropping your hard-earned money for by attending an umpiring camp or clinic.
While this extra education is invaluable for umpires who are dedicated to working on their craft and/or looking to advance to a higher level in their career, it doesn’t come without the occasional obstacle. One of the biggest is deciphering what you should do when you are given conflicting information about the proper umpiring mechanics of a given play.
Case in point: When working the A position, where should you move to take plays at first base following a ground ball that’s hit somewhere in the infield?
Go to one camp, and you’ll receive detailed instruction about working hard to obtain a 90-degree angle with the location from where the throw originates. So, if a ball is hit to the third baseman, you are going to take at least two to three additional steps into the infield dirt toward second base than if the throw is coming from the second baseman who is deep into the hole moving toward shallow right field.
Fast forward a couple weeks, and you may find yourself at another camp where you’re taught the 90-degree rule is out of style, and instead all you need to do is to take one or two steps off the foul line for all plays at first base, because this gives you the best angle to see if there is any daylight between the first baseman’s foot and the bag when he catches the throw.
Sound familiar?
Every good camper knows which mechanic is correct: It’s the one being taught in that moment. You do as the instructor wants you to. Six months later, when you’re lined up for the first pitch of the new season and anticipating that first ball being put in play, your pre-pitch preparation, your
read of the action and muscle memory are going to dictate which mechanic you use.
And here’s the good news: Neither is wrong … until it is. Because as we all know, no two plays are created or executed exactly the same. The mechanic that might best fit one particular play may not be best suited for another. That’s where we need to use all of the tools in our bag to get in the best position to make a ruling.
For example, let’s say you’re a general practitioner of the second mechanic — you take one to two steps off the line each time and achieve a strong position for ruling on a possible pulled foot whenever possible. With that in mind, the leadoff hitter drops a bunt that rolls 10 feet into fair territory, the catcher pounces on it and here comes the throw on a bang-bang play at first base.
The good news is you may have a great look at whether the first baseman pulls his foot. The bad news? That first baseman is stretching toward home plate, not one of his fellow infielders, in anticipation of the throw. And given your positioning near the foul line, you are looking through his back, trying to determine when the baseball has entered his glove without a clear line of sight for doing so.
Now, imagine the look you would have at the play by taking two or three more steps toward the middle of the diamond. Not only do you still have a great view of whether the foot remains on the bag — I would argue it’s an even better view because it involves the very front corner of the base with any possible foot pull going toward the plate — but also a clear view of the thrown ball as it approaches the glove. With this small positional adjustment, you have created an optimal look at all the necessary pieces of information needed to make — and sell — this ruling.
Conversely, let’s say you ride or die with the 90-degree angle. A ball is hit deep in the 5/6 hole, the shortstop fields it and his throw is up the line to the right-field side of the bag. The first baseman stretches almost directly toward you and you have a great look at when the ball enters his glove.
The problem? You have no idea if he kept his foot on the base, as you are in no position to see if there is any separation due to the first baseman’s movement coming at you instead of away from you at any type of angle. Rest assured, this is going to be a play where a coach is going to ask you to go to your home-plate partner for help, and you’re going to realize you need it, as you’re not sure if he held the bag or not.
Reading the ball off the bat and realizing this is going to be a close play where a pulled foot is a strong possibility, this is a good opportunity to stay near the line and make sure you have a great look at that particular element of it. Because the ball is coming from an infielder, you’ll still have an unobstructed look at the catch/no catch by the first baseman. Staying near the line gives you the best opportunity to have all the information you need to make this ruling.
As these two examples show, umpires need to be able to read plays and adjust, and understand when the dictums about “always” taking a play a certain way do not apply. Yes, there are absolutes we must follow when ruling on force plays at first base. We don’t want to be moving, so that our eyes have a set look at the action. We want to be far enough away from the play to see everything and not allow it to blow up on us. We want to do everything we can to remain in fair territory, as taking a force play at first base in foul territory in two- or threeperson mechanics has the potential of creating additional problems for you and the crew. We want our timing to be on point, so we aren’t in the middle of our big “whacker” mechanic with the ball lying in the dirt.
Where do we set up shop to make that ruling? That comes with feel, experience and understanding it’s not necessarily a final destination, but a road map to help you ultimately get where you want to be. Scott Tittrington is an associate editor at Referee. He umpires college and high school baseball, and officiates college and high school basketball and high school football.
THEY SAID IT
“It’s an imperfect game and has always felt perfect to me.”
— Joe Torre, special assistant to the commissioner of MLB, arguing against the use of roboumpires to call balls and strikes
SOURCE: NEWYORKER.COM
BY THE NUMBERS
2:35
Need evidence why it’s important for umpires to enforce the pitch clock rule in their respective leagues? Above is the average nine-inning game time for all minor league games using a pitch clock through May 16. Last season, the average nine-inning game time was 3:03.
SOURCE: MLB.COM
SIDELINE
New Balance Trims Shoe Lineup
While your 2022 season may still be in high gear, it’s not a bad idea to start thinking ahead about your footwear needs for 2023 and beyond.
Plate shoes proved to be a tough commodity this spring and summer due to supply chain issues caused by the ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now comes word the number of models umpires will have to choose from is shrinking considerably.
New Balance announced this spring it is discontinuing four of its eight umpire shoe models. The company will no longer manufacture low-cut plate shoes or mid-cut base shoes. The styles that will continue are the mid-cut plate shoes and low-cut base shoes, each with the all-black and white “N” logo options.
TEST YOURSELF
In each question, decide which answer is correct for NFHS, NCAA or pro rules. Solutions:
p. 81.
1. If any situation arises that could lead to an appeal by the defense on the last play of the game, the appeal must be made: a. While all umpires are on the field. b. While an umpire is on the field. c. Before the infielders cross the foul lines. d. Before the infielders cross the foul lines and the catcher has left the dirt circle around the plate. e. Before the official scorekeeper declares the game over.
2. The runner is standing on second base when a line drive hits him. The second baseman was playing in front of him and did not contact the ball. The shortstop was behind second base in position to catch the line drive. a. The ball remains in play since the second baseman had a play. b. The ball remains in play since a base protects the runner. c. The ball is dead and the runner is out since the shortstop had a play on the ball.
3. A runner acquires the right to the proper unoccupied base if he touches it before he is out. He is then entitled to this base until: a. He is put out. b. He legally touches the next base while it is unoccupied. c. He is forced to advance to the next base by a following runner. d. All of the above.
4. The runner and the batterrunner are both between first and second bases when the left fielder throws the ball to third base. The ball gets past the third baseman and rolls into the dugout. a. Both runners are awarded third base. Since they cannot both occupy third, the lead runner is awarded home. b. The lead runner is awarded second and the batter-runner must remain at first. c. Both the runner and the batter-runner are awarded home. d. The lead runner is awarded third and the batter-runner is awarded second.
Chitchat? Careful
By Jon Bible
The other day I tuned in to a college baseball game on TV as the camera was focused on an umpire and a player having a lively conversation. This brought back memories of when I was head of the NCAA Umpire Program (1990-96) and polled college coaches about their biggest pet peeves. Certain that judgment and/or consistency would lead the pack, I was stunned when the top choice was umpires who talk too much with their players.
Early on I learned too much idle chitchat can come back to haunt us. In a pro ball all-star game, I was having a wonderful time with both catchers when, in the 10th inning, I made a safe call that scored the winning run. Later on I learned the catcher ripped me a new one with the team, saying I had spent so much time yapping that I wasn’t focused enough to get the call right.
From then on I took a new tack. I decided I would be friendly but would concentrate on business and largely avoid small talk. If I exchanged more than five or six sentences with both catchers combined it was a Chatty Cathy day for me. I followed this approach for the remaining 46 years of my career and it served me well.
I also kept conversations with players to a minimum on the bases. Most won’t ignore us if we say something, but their coach may not like it (as my poll showed); some players telegraph this by talking out of the side of their mouth. Again, a few words are fine — we don’t want to seem rigid and unapproachable — but keep it to a minimum.
If you talk with players, keep it clean, especially with the younger ones. No profanity or bragging about your drinking (or other) exploits. Don’t run down partners or other teams, players or coaches. I’ve never believed players are “rats,” but they can be tale-carriers, and we know stories can get distorted in the retelling. Give a coach a reason to think we’re saying out-of-line things and we can end up in a world of hurt.
Be equal opportunity in visiting with players, base coaches, etc. You’re likely to know some better than others, but if you chat up team A and ignore team B, it can feed the paranoia that some players, coaches and fans feel anyway.
Before the game starts I’ve seen umpires go to a dugout to visit with a coach they know. How will this come across to the opposing coach, especially if you don’t know him well or at all, who may already wonder if it will be a level playing field in terms of umpiring that day? Everything may be innocent, but it may not be perceived that way, and I learned a long time ago perception is more important than reality.
The home plate conference can be a trap. I’ve had partners who couldn’t wait to tell an off-color or politically incorrect joke or story, apparently assuming because they’re in the world of jockdom the coaches would appreciate it. Not all will; in fact, whether because of religious or moral beliefs or otherwise, some may resent this. They won’t let you know because they don’t want to tick you off, but it may register in their memory bank.
While I’m on the subject of plate conferences, I always believed we shouldn’t take the same approach in every one, but instead should try to read our audience each day. As I approached the plate I tried to sense whether the coaches were uptight or loose so I could adjust. Even those who are usually jocular may not be that day. If I sensed tension, I took a strictly business approach — take the lineup cards, look them over, ask the home coach to go over the ground rules if necessary, ask if there are any questions, and that’s it. Even if they were loose, any attempts at humor pretty much came from them; I reacted rather than initiated. I think it’s better this way, for I’ve seen coaches walk away with a, “Who in the heck is
that clown?” look on their face due to something my partner said.
As for partners, I’ll plead guilty to engaging in more betweeninnings chatter than I should have, especially in four-umpire crews, which made it easier. Especially if we’re laughing, we can be perceived as not taking our job seriously. I remember a coach I didn’t know who had gone out to argue an inning-ending call blasting me and a partner on the way back to his dugout because we were engaged in a boisterous discussion. It’s worse if we get so wrapped up that we don’t realize the inning is about to start and hold up the game by racing back to our bases.
Between innings, we should go to the outfield, to lessen the chance that a player or coach will take some cheap shot at us, and return after the catcher’s throw-down to second base. Believe it or not, when I started, umpires often leaned against the field screens outside of first and third base — and even smoked a cigarette — and engaged in casual conversation with fans.
Many college coordinators don’t like excessive chitchat and have rules about it. If you work in such a conference, end of story, for if you don’t abide by the rules you’ll likely find yourself looking elsewhere to work.
In sum, it should be apparent perceptions drive my attitude about talking with players and coaches. The perception we’re not taking things seriously, distracting the players, favoring one team, etc., makes me believe the less said, the better. The more we open our mouths, moreover, the more we risk saying something that can be used against us. We already attract enough attention because of the
Umpires are going to have varied opportunities to interact with players, coaches and one another on the field during games. While there is nothing wrong with being helpful and answering questions, conversations should be kept short and polite and not prevent
anyone from doing their job. Trey Plummer, El Paso, Texas.
nature of what we do and our calls; why give people one more thing to complain about? Jon Bible, Austin, Texas, worked seven NCAA Division I College World Series. In 2019, he was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas.
Conducting the Obstruction Orchestra
By George Demetriou
Obstruction is an act that requires a high degree of judgment. It is essential for umpires to not only understand what constitutes obstruction, but also the factors that go into deciding what bases, if any, to award. In general terms, obstruction is the act of a fielder who impedes the progress of a runner; contact is not a prerequisite. Except where noted, the material applies equally to NFHS, NCAA and pro rules.
In NFHS play, an obstructed runner is always awarded a minimum of one base beyond the base last touched legally before the obstruction (8-3-2). Under NCAA and pro rules, the same applies, but only if a play was being made on the runner (NCAA 8-3e1 Pen.; pro 6.01h1). If a play was not being made on the runner, there is no minimum award that must be made. The runner is awarded any base(s) justified to nullify the act of obstruction (NCAA 8-3e2 Pen.; pro 6.01h2). It should be helpful to discuss obstruction with regard to four distinct scenarios.
Between the bases (including rundowns)
There are many scenarios where a runner approaching the next base or returning to a base can be obstructed. Causing a change in the runner’s
CASEPLAYS
Game Over?
Play: With the bases loaded and the score tied in the bottom of the last inning, B1 receives a two-out walk. B1 runs down to first as R3 scores, but R1 goes off to celebrate. Ruling: In NFHS and NCAA, all runners are required to advance and touch the next base. The umpire should call R1 out for abandoning the bases and because he was forced, the run does not score. In pro, the run counts; only B1 and R3 are required to advance in a gameending situation (NFHS 8-2-1, 9-1-1 Exc. b; NCAA 8-1a Note; pro 5.08b).
Returning DH
Play: Team A’s DH, B10, is batting for the pitcher. In the third inning the coach decides to have the pitcher bat for himself. In the fifth inning, the coach decides to have the original DH bat for the pitcher. Ruling: That is allowable in NFHS because the DH is a starting player and has re-entry rights. In NCAA and pro, the substitution is not allowed (NFHS 3-1-3, 3-1-4; NCAA 7-2d3a1; pro 5.11a10).
Oops Salvaged
Play: B1 homers over the left field fence but doesn’t touch second. The third-base coach verbally sends him back to touch the missed base before he touches third. B1 complies and continues around the bases touching third and home. Ruling: Legal play; while the ball is dead a runner may return to touch a missed base any time before he touches a succeeding base (NFHS 8-2-3 Pen.; NCAA 8-6a Note 2; pro 5.09c2).
One Foot, Two Foot
Play: With R1 on first, F1 is in the set position. F3 holds the runner by standing with both feet in foul territory. The first-base coach notices and complains. Ruling: In NFHS and NCAA, the base umpire should tell F3 to get at least one foot in fair territory. In pro, he should tell F3 to get both feet in fair territory (NFHS 1-1-4; NCAA 5-4; pro 5.02, MLBUM interp.). path without actual contact can be deemed obstruction if it causes the play to be altered. A first baseman can get in the batter-runner’s path as he rounds first. Unless there is a possibility for an extra-base hit, obstruction has not occurred. The same holds true if the batter-runner is returning to first while the ball is being thrown to another base.
Rundowns are likely the greatest opportunity for obstruction — the runner tends to abruptly change direction and fielders are rotating to take a throw. The presence of other runners who try to advance as far as possible may complicate the play and the subsequent awards. Umpires should be wary of enticed obstruction where the runner alters his path to contact a fielder who is moving away.
Pickoffs
Pickoffs are mostly attempted at first base, sometimes at second and rarely at third. At second, the fielder is almost always moving toward the base so it’s very difficult to completely block access to the base. On the other hand, a stationary first baseman can easily block the runner from reaching any part of the base. The ball will almost never arrive prior to the start of the runner’s return to the base and if it does, he’ll probably be heading in the opposite direction.
If the first baseman puts his knee to the ground with his lower leg roughly perpendicular to the runner’s path, obstruction should be called. Any other configuration will probably get the runner access to the base and is not likely to be obstruction.
Plays at the plate
These are the plays that generate the most controversy, primarily because the ball is coming from a long distance and it is very difficult for catcher, runner and umpire alike to anticipate exactly how the play will pan out.
In high school play, a fielder blocking a base must have possession of the ball. “In the glove” is not good enough; it must be clear he has control of the ball. Furthermore, a fielder is not guilty of obstruction unless he totally denies the runner
When a fielder obstructs a baserunner, the umpiring crew must know what type of obstruction has occurred according to NFHS, NCAA and pro rules, whether the ball becomes dead immediately or is a delayed dead ball, and the proper base award.
access to the base. If a fielder without the ball blocks the portion of the base the runner is trying to reach, it is not an infraction of the rule unless the base is totally blocked. There is no minimum access required as long as the runner is given some access. Whether or not the base is totally blocked is a judgment call (2-22-3).
Under NCAA and pro rules, less judgment is involved. The key is whether the ball is in the fielder’s possession or not. It does not matter how much access the baserunner has. On a slide play, if the fielder doesn’t have the ball when contact with the runner occurs, it is obstruction. If the fielder does not have possession of the ball, he cannot block the pathway of the runner. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the fielder without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire should call the runner safe. It is not a violation if the fielder blocks the pathway of the runner in a legitimate attempt to field the throw, (e.g., in reaction to the direction, trajectory or the hop of the incoming throw, or in reaction to a throw that originates from the pitcher or drawn-in infielder). In addition, a fielder without possession of the ball should not be judged to be in violation if the runner could have avoided the collision by sliding. The fielder should not be deemed to have obstructed the runner if, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner would have been called out notwithstanding the catcher having blocked the plate (NCAA 8-7c; pro 6.01i2).
Before the batter-runner reaches first
When the catcher impedes the batter’s swing it is referred to as “catcher obstruction” in NFHS, while NCAA and pro call it “catcher’s interference.” That is a separate topic all its own. For this discussion, the scenario is a batter-runner who has batted the ball without the catcher hampering him and he is obstructed before reaching first base. When that happens, he may not be entitled to any award. If his fly ball or line drive is caught, the out stands. Also, if a foul ball is not caught, the foul ball stands. The principle is the obstruction had no bearing on the result of the play (NCAA 6-3d; pro MLBUM II-62). Because NFHS rules always require a minimum one-base award, umpires should avoid signaling obstruction in the preceding situations.
An award will be made in three situations. A ground ball to an infielder is a direct play on the batter-runner and he is awarded first. If a fly ball or line drive is dropped and he has not yet reached first base, he is awarded first. On any ball hit to the outfield, including fly balls that fall or are dropped, play continues and the appropriate award is made after all action ends. George Demetriou, Colorado Springs, Colo., is the state’s rules interpreter.
THE GUIDE TO PITCHING
In baseball, the pitcher makes the world go round. As umpire, you have to know what they can and can’t do, inside and out.
Size: 8” x 11” Pages: 40
