Quote:
Originally posted by WindyCityBlue
I have worked baseball for many years and have never had an appeal WITHOUT a coach or player requesting it.
You can disagree all you want. You are alone.
I would get a refund from whatever school taught you how to umpire.
|
WCB:
I don't know who "you" is since you didn't quote any material. But if your statement is true -- and you always wait for an appeal -- you're not keeping up with PBUC mechanics.
There are two possibilities:
On a wild pitch where the half swing may be called a third strike with the batter becoming a batter-runner, the umpire crew may:
(a) have the plate umpire ask for help immediately without waiting for the catcher/coach to appeal his call of "No, he didn't go"; OR
(b) direct the appropriate base umpire to say "Yes, he went" (if he judged the half swing was a strike) without waiting for the plate umpire to appeal.
Advanced pro crews use (b); in my association, we use (a).
The MLBUM, which you are fond of quoting, has similar mechanics, but without giving the crew a choice of (a) or (b):
8.7 In the situation where the third strike eludes the catcher on a half-swing and the batter-runner is entitled to run to first base, the appeal should be made to the base umpire instantly (without waiting for a request from the defense); but even if the appeal is not instant, the appropriate base umpire should immediately and voluntarily make a call of strike IF the base umpire is going to reverse the plate umpire's call. This will give the batter the immediate opportunity to run.
Now, if your comment "never appealed without a request" refers to your never asking for help because you were blocked, then I suggest that's an even worse scenario: EVERYBODY gets blocked on the half swing now and again.
As to whether the appeal
must be granted: Your "rule of thumb" (don't ask me if I'm inside) also doesn't take into account current PBUC mechanics.
In the three-man system, for example, the plate umpire is directed to ask the umpire on the line for the appeal without reference to the handedness of the batter. The umpire in your crew shouldn't have a choice because when he's inside, no appeals should be directed at him.
[Edited by Carl Childress on Oct 21st, 2004 at 05:54 PM]