[Ump20]

Originally posted by GarthB
1. The defense is an active part of the game. They are responsible for being "in the game" and aware of the situation. They are not spectators.

2. We allow runners on base to behave in such a manner as to draw an un-wise throw, this is no different. At some levels it is coached strategy.

3. It is not specifically outlawed by rule in OBR.

4. This is really not much differet from the batter, who on ball three, begins to trot to first while R1 trots to second. If the defense is asleep and R1 makes it to second, do we send him back to first when the batter comes back to the plate? Hell, no. He just stole a base from a spectating defense.

Umpires who prevent this, in my opinion, are interjecting themselves in the flow of the game.

I was taught to be a channel in the flow of the game, not a dam.

I know in my own association some umpires "teach" that we should declare that the "Batter is Out" when first base is occupied at the time of the pitch with less than two out. If the catcher does not know that then once he throws a ball that he didn't need to throw into right field he will learn. I also use the mechanic mentioned in this thread where BU points a finger toward the ground on an uncaught third strike and uses a clenched fist to signal that the pitch was caught before hitting the ground. To do other wise is i/m/h/o opinion not preventative umpiring but rather is coaching