Sox vs. Yanks Ortisz Steal

[Rich Ives]

Originally posted by WindyCityBlue
In my experience, it is usually the opposite, Gordon.
At the younger levels, if the ball beats the kid to the bag, the coach wants and expects that the runner will be called out, regardless of the tag.

At college and above, most of the coaches I've encountered recognize that a whole lot can happen. The fielder may swipe, but the runner went to the back of the bag with his right hand. If you've noticed Joe West during last night's BoSox/Yankees game, he was even coming in and leaning down for routine plays and toss backs. Nothing is taken for granted anymore. The coach may still come out and argue that it was agreat throw and it clearly beat the runner, but you can say, "Skip, I got a great look and it was a terrific slide to the back of the bag, it was the only way he could beat that throw and he did. I saw it the whole way."

Again, don't anticipate that it was a spectacular or horrible throw. Let the play happen and tell everyone what you saw.

I think you have to split up "younger levels" into 60' and 90' games.


If you are in the really younger games (60'diamond) you are most likely dealing with players, parents, and at least some coaches who have not yet learned the "expected call" bit. In addition, chances are good that the fans will be closer than the umpire on many plays and will have a better view. Even on calls where the umpire is on top of things, the fans will still be much closer than on a 90' diamond. Therefore you are better off calling what actually happens and saving the "expected" bit for JV and Varsity.


The MLB guys have gotten much "better" at the calls since the advent of multiple slow motion replays. Be glad, be very glad that your games aren't on TV.