Know Your Baseball Rules Part 2

[clenz]

You know the drill here. I'll explain it you vote. I came across this one as a spectator during the state tournament last year.

Runner 1 is on third and Runner 2 is on first with no outs. The pitcher contacts the pitchers plate and assumes the set position stance. As he begins his stretch, Runner 2 advances toward second base attempting to steal. The pitcher realizes that Runner 2 is stealing but does not throw to second, fearing that Runner 1 will break for home and score.

The pitcher completes his stretch, coming to a pause with the ball in both hands in front of his body. Runner 2 reaches second base and rounds it, after which the pitcher delivers the pitch, which is fouled off.

You have just a brief second to get the call correct, what is the call?

[clenz]

The second is coming to the stop at the top of the stretch


I can't find a photo of the set position, but it is when the pitcher is taking a sign. You know, glove on knee, ball behind back.

[Rob Iola]

"Pitcher's Plate" is so 1800's - I always use the word "rubber" when the situation allows it...

[Rob Iola]

oh, and 5.11 followed by 5.09(e)...

[clenz]

"Pitcher's Plate" is so 1800's - I always use the word "rubber" when the situation allows it...

Pitchers plate is the technical term for it. Sorry

[SuperHornet]

I chose B, but could see an argument for A.

Don't you just love the cr@zy situations that show up in baseball? One just doesn't see this cr@p in football, at least not very much. One could bring up the Immaculate Reception or the Rice-Alabama Cotton Bowl, but nothing beats baseball for the intricacies that show up.

[89Hen]

A

Not a dead ball until fouled. Once it becomes dead, you return to your last established base.

[Rob Iola]

"Pitcher's Plate" is so 1800's - I always use the word "rubber" when the situation allows it...

Pitchers plate is the technical term for it. Sorry

Who said anything about baseball?

[clenz]

I chose B, but could see an argument for A.

Don't you just love the cr@zy situations that show up in baseball? One just doesn't see this cr@p in football, at least not very much. One could bring up the Immaculate Reception or the Rice-Alabama Cotton Bowl, but nothing beats baseball for the intricacies that show up.

Agreed. That is the thing I love about being an umpire, the challenge of learning all of the smallest details that would never happen unless it was a game you were working and didn't know what to do.

There are so many little things in baseball rules that confuse the majority of people. I can't go watch games as a fan anymore for a lot of the smaller schools right around Cedar Falls without being asked rule questions non-stop by fans. The same umps work games non-stop during the summer so we are known by baseball fans if we just go to a game to watch. I have some kids I coached that are freshman and sophomores and a local varsity team, and some friends of mine that are juniors on the team. I go to their games on nights I don't ump and get hounded about questions with different rules. It's fun though.

[Rob Iola]

I chose B, but could see an argument for A.

Don't you just love the cr@zy situations that show up in baseball? One just doesn't see this cr@p in football, at least not very much. One could bring up the Immaculate Reception or the Rice-Alabama Cotton Bowl, but nothing beats baseball for the intricacies that show up.

Agreed. That is the thing I love about being an umpire, the challenge of learning all of the smallest details that would never happen unless it was a game you were working and didn't know what to do.

There are so many little things in baseball rules that confuse the majority of people. I can't go watch games as a fan anymore for a lot of the smaller schools right around Cedar Falls without being asked rule questions non-stop by fans. The same umps work games non-stop during the summer so we are known by baseball fans if we just go to a game to watch. I have some kids I coached that are freshman and sophomores and a local varsity team, and some friends of mine that are juniors on the team. I go to their games on nights I don't ump and get hounded about questions with different rules. It's fun though.

Best part of being an ump - having the best seat in the house (but make no mistake - you're working hard!).

Worst part of being an ump - players/coaches/fans can see many things you can't, like low pitches at the knees and obstruction/interference on Texas Leaguers...

[clenz]

Agreed. That is the thing I love about being an umpire, the challenge of learning all of the smallest details that would never happen unless it was a game you were working and didn't know what to do.

There are so many little things in baseball rules that confuse the majority of people. I can't go watch games as a fan anymore for a lot of the smaller schools right around Cedar Falls without being asked rule questions non-stop by fans. The same umps work games non-stop during the summer so we are known by baseball fans if we just go to a game to watch. I have some kids I coached that are freshman and sophomores and a local varsity team, and some friends of mine that are juniors on the team. I go to their games on nights I don't ump and get hounded about questions with different rules. It's fun though.

Best part of being an ump - having the best seat in the house (but make no mistake - you're working hard!).

Worst part of being an ump - players/coaches/fans can see many things you can't, like low pitches at the knees and obstruction/interference on Texas Leaguers...

No doubt.

I can't tell you how many times as the field ump I see a pitch called a ball low or high but it looks almost perfect from where I am standing and visa versa.


People don't believe it but umpires/referees have the hardest job in all of sports. What looks obvious to everyone else may not be visible or obvious to the ump.

That is one of the things that drives me nuts the most is when people start yelling that it was as plain as day and it should have been called or not called, or that another ref/ump should have called it, even though it isn't that persons responsibility to cover that part of the court/field.

[clenz]

Any more votes?

[Rob Iola]

Trick question - you're a Little League ump, and of course in Little League you're not allowed to leave the base/steal until after the pitch crosses the plate...

[clenz]

Trick question - you're a Little League ump, and of course in Little League you're not allowed to leave the base/steal until after the pitch crosses the plate...

I don't do little league. I do middle school aged "all star", term used very loosely, leagues that play by HS rules