[Ump20]

Originally posted by JRutledge

The BU better be able to make a check swing call at some point. I think you are going to cause yourself some problem if you are doing a NF game if a coach asks for an appeal and you do not grant one. I am not saying do it on every other pitch, but you better grant appeals no matter where the BU is. What else do they have to do?

[/B]

It is clear that this subject has divergent opinions i.e. some think you can just as easily "see" the attempted swing of a left handed batter (LHB) in A as a righty (RHB). If so, what are you "looking" for? With a RHB I think you are looking for the bat head going past the front plane of the plate or the swing carrying the batter's hands more than half way past his body. I have heard some say with LHB you are looking to see if you see the barrel of the bat. That's at least a reference point.

I have a Minor League manual from the days of Umpire Development Program that requires in a three-man system that the PU check with the "proper BU". Thus with a lefty that would be the third base umpire in "D" not the umpire in "A" or "B". So it may be a "myth" or an old wives tail that it is foolish for coaches to ask for a check of LHB in "A". However, I think it is still a fairly prevalent belief. Thus you may be questioned if you treat it as "just the same".

In both OBR and FED I do appeal as PU even with a LHB. I agree in FED you should generally treat it the same as OBR. As PU I go to my partner must slower. As BU I generally mention to the coach or players that absent mirrors or video replay I don't have much help that I can add. I have never had the retort that it is the same appeal. They seem to understand. These types of appeals should be in moderation. PU should not let coaches appeal every inning otherwise you're not in control.