Normally, I would agree with you on this, but this is such a well-known and common trick play, that every good umpire should be able to recognize it when they see it and handle it appropriately. To do what you suggest - implies that the play is illegal. Everybody knows that it is NOT illegal! So, you only show your ignorance of the rules or your unwillingness to handle a common trick play when you call "Time" and chastize the offensive coach for attempting this play.
There are a handful of trick plays that are common to baseball and that are perfectly legal. Umpires should know these. And, when they happen, it shouldn't be some kind of big surprise that should have you running for your rulebook. Deal with it, I say!
Personally, I could care less if R1 decides to waltz out into right field. "Go for it!" I say. It's stupid baseball. And, if the defense falls for it, then they're even
stupider. What do I care?
This play doesn't surprise me - nor should it surprise any of the umpires that participate in this forum. Let it happen, I say. We all know the rule regarding adherence to the baseline and what constitutes abandonment. This violates neither. The rule regarding a "travesty" of the game is reserved for senseless reverse base running, not tactics such as these.
Quote:
Originally posted by His High Holiness
Phillip;
This is were big dogs separate themselves from the little dogs. Big dogs:
1. Don't call the guy out.
2. Don't allow R1 to head into right field.
How is it possible to do both and why is it necessary to do do both. Here's how and why:
I have analyzed the time necessary to make this play work in MLB or NCAA D1 ball and it would work. However, you have never seen this play in MLB or NCAA and you never will. This is the reason that you want to make sure that it never occurs in any of your games. Third World Plays only happen to third world umpires. Allowing this "legal" play to occur in your game will undermine your umpiring authority among your peers. So:
When R1 heads into right field, the BU should call time. Once time is called, R1 must go back to first base. Tell the coach that this play WILL NOT be repeated. Eject the coach if he argues with you. Make sure that you eject the coach for something other than trying to put on this play. Throw him out for being disrepectful. A crafty umpire can quietly light him up and cause him to do something stupid so that he can be legitimately ejected. Say something quietly like "Why don't you try teaching your players real baseball?" That is sure to provoke a comment that you can eject him for.
Keep in mind, that if a senior umpire saw you let a play like this occur in your games, his opinion of your talents would not be good. You owe to your career to minimize the weird stuff on a baseball field. You want your games to run as smoothly as the ones that everyone sees on television. If a coach is screwing with your career and reputation, f$$$ 'em.
Peter
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