Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy
The reason I suggested the pre-game is more geared toward two-umpire mechanics. Often, in the situation described, both umpires will be watching the batter-runner and nobody is watching the other runner(s). I've always split it so that the BU has the B/R and the PU has any other runners. Any umpire can kill the play and call a violation on the LBR. I will admit right now that I am not sure of the proper coverage in a three umpire game, but I would hope that all three umpires would not be focused on one runner.
This is one of those calls that we don't make very often and with multiple runners, it may be a good idea to get your crew together to talk through the call and the penalty since some of the crew may have been focused elsewhere or moving to cover a potential play. This would be similar to what we are asked to do in the college game when we have a DDB call like an illegal pitch or a runner leaving the base prior to the pitch.
As I mentioned above, any umpire can kill the play and make the LBR call. If you are 100% certain that it was you have, I would give my U3 a chance to call it first, then come in strong with the call if U3 doesn't.
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If you called an LBR violation, you damn well be sure and there is only one penalty. IMO, the only thing that may need to be discussed would be runner placement had a runner other than the violator was active on the base path at the time of the call.
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