Quote:
Originally posted by teacherspit
"No, you are just horribly misguided.
You can ALWAYS appeal from the rubber - you do not have to disengage, regardless if the base is occupied or unoccupied. You NEVER have to verbalize an appeal attempt - it only has to be an unmistakable act in the judgment of the umpire."
I believe that one has to be able to dissimilate between an appeal and a pickoff. It would be wrong to assume something.
If a pitcher informs you that he is appealing so and so at what base. Yeah now you know. I say he needs to step off. One because the ball is still alive the runners can advance. Two there is a rule against throwing to an unoccupied base while toeing the rubber.
GB you contradict yourself. If the defense doesn't verbalize their intention of making an appeal and the pitcher throws to an occupied base while in contact with the rubber, then how do you whether it was a pickoff attempt or not? You can't.
I saw an appeal in Wrigley last week. The pitcher toed the rubber, stepped off the back and threw to third. Now if the pros do it, why in the world would the leaguers do it? Hell they know more than the pros!
And as far as I saying that when the pitcher steps off the rubber he becomes a fielder. I know that you know what I mean. Come on now, is it going to be that technical here? Especially between umps. You know as well as I do that there are unwritten rules between umps that cover this great game.
2-2 count on the batter and he squares and pulls back on a real close pitch, good by!
How about, "well that was a catchers' ball." You true veteran umps know what I am talking about. I reward my catchers. They know it and things get done smoothly. No arguing from the pitcher or coaches on stikes and balls. Well maybe a little but the catcher settles things down.
Now I know that there is not a rule that says the ump takes care of his catchers.
I called an obstruction call last night during a Kentucky State Babe Ruth game between two teams that have never seen me in their lives. It was late in a 2-0 game. The BR was throw out at second. Everyone was cheering and screaming. I called time and announced Obstruction First Baseman. The Defensive team didn't even question it. The defensive fans didn't even yell at me. Why because it was the right call, maybe, but I would to think that because of my and the field ump's professionalism displayed during the game had a lot to do with it. The finale was 2-1. Great game!
Knowing the rules is not the only thing a makes a good ump. In my opinion it's having a professional attitude, a fairness, a consistent stike zone and being approachable by all. Also, and this is probally the greatest reason of all, teamwork among the umps on the field. It will sale anything.
After the game I was approached by a fan. He thanked me for calling that obstruction, and then for calling a trip to the mound on his son's coach from his dugout. They lost the game. But he was appreciative that an ump would have the "Balls to make those calls." For the record I missed some too!
But I ain't telling them!!
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You can tell becasue the fielder will touch the base and likely look at the umpire to see what he calls.
He never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never is required to step off to make an appeal. Read the fricking book -- it is not a balk for throwing to an unoccupied base when there's an appeal.
Stop being such an OOO and try to find some common sense in umpiring.