Babe Ruth Follies

[Az.Ump]

" When the runner stops at 1B, the margin for CORRECTION also shortens exponentially. Pitcher and catcher may not likely question an umpire {incorrectly} selling SAFE insurance. The defensive coach, who is restricted to the dugout, has very limited opportunity to restore timely order. Any umpire who then reverses his original SAFE call also has to deal with another issue, INTEGRITY. I think this UIC is standing on solid GROUND, not trying to impress us with knowledge."

" Isn't it the responsibility of an umpire to make the right call? I cannot understand option B when the runner continues safely to 2B or 3B or home. Then the defense also has a 90-foot (plus) advantage to get in their timely appeal. I was also told at a clinic held by REAL umps not to signal safe or point toward home if the runner missed home plate. To choose his words, "It would look pretty foolish if you reverse your call 15 seconds later.""

Are you George Costanza?

[SanDiegoSteve]

No, Lance Cokalinski's evil twin. The serious one!

[Tim C]

I do not think that SAump can state a clear statement.

I cannot follow his sentance structure, much less his discussions.

I must be in a "user error" moment since I simply do not understand his points.

That is not rare, by the way.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I do not think that SAump can state a clear statement.

I cannot follow his sentance structure, much less his discussions.

I must be in a "user error" moment since I simply do not understand his points.

That is not rare, by the way.

He has no 'point.' Give him 3 more paragraphs and he'll convince himself that Steve Bartman hit the series-winning single in the 2004 World Series.

[SAump]

I try to listen for the ball in the mitt while I watch both the runner and first baseman legally touch. I have been taught not to signal safe or out right away. I have been taught to set, read, pause and allow the "dust to settle." I don't signal safe or out unless I am damn sure it's a SAFE or OUT call. Afterall, I am in no hurry to hang myself. You could be sure that my call would be made prior to the baserunner reversing direction after sprinting long past first base.

I have been told its okay to take even more time if its a bangor. It helps sell the proper safe or out call. I try to gather as much info as possible. No one has ever asked me to rule if he is safe or out before. If they do ask, then I would probably signal safe. Now if the first words I hear are "He missed the bag." That would lead me to another entirely different CALL. Now if the runner indicated that he missed the bag by quickly returning to the bag, I don't need to wait for an appeal. It's like self-incriminating evidence. The defense is holding the ball and touching the bag. VERDICT for the DEFENSE.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by SAump

If they do ask, then I would probably signal safe. Now if the first words I hear are "He missed the bag." That would lead me to another entirely different CALL.

Well, it should lead to a different call. If the fielder has posession of the ball and is touching the bag and announces "he missed the bag" before the runner has corrected his error, he has just made an unmistakeable appeal.

Originally Posted by SAump

Now if the runner indicated that he missed the bag by quickly returning to the bag, I don't need to wait for an appeal. It's like self-incriminating evidence. The defense is holding the ball and touching the bag. VERDICT for the DEFENSE.

I think you should consider changing your moinker from SAump to MakeItump. You tend to make it up as you go along. Even when told what the exact professional interpretation is you still have to try to defend the indefensible.


Tim.

[PABlue]

lol