CR/SFG Catcher or Batter Interference?

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by GarthB

I find this, from the same article, more interesting:

Hurdle said it was the second time in the game Iassogna refused to ask for help on a questionable play. The other time came in the first inning, when a Barry Bonds check-swing was called a ball, he said.

"There's no explanation for it all," Hurdle said. "The difficulty I have is that we were just handed a memorandum Thursday about the protocol in which to go about dealing with a check-swing. It let you know that only the catcher and manager can request help. And you can only ask for help if it's called a ball.

"For me, there's the perfect situation -- the pitch was called a ball. I asked nice, I yelled, I screamed, I screamed again."

Following Bonds' check-swing, Hurdle and catcher Yorvit Torrealba appealed to third-base umpire Ron Kulpa. Iassogna and Kulpa did not grant the Rockies' request and let the check-swing stand as a ball, Hurdle said.

Getting help on a check swing is one thing--there sometimes may be a definitive determination of whether the batter "went around," as people often mistakenly say--but determining batter interference in this case lies solely with the plate umpire and his personal opinion and judgment. No other umpire is going to be able to help in such a situation.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Getting help on a check swing is one thing--there sometimes may be a definitive determination of whether the batter "went around," as people often mistakenly say--but determining batter interference in this case lies solely with the plate umpire and his personal opinion and judgment. No other umpire is going to be able to help in such a situation.

I'm not arguing about the CI/BI call. I'm curious about the plate ump's alleged refusal to grant the appeal on the check swing. According to the article, the manager followed the instructions he was given by the league to the letter and in accordance with the rules. Again, according to the article, the PU ignored his request in violation of the rules.

Strange.

[UMP25]

Under OBR, if a plate umpire is asked to seek help on a check swing, he is obligated to go to a partner for help. It's not an option. Why the umpire in question refused to not seek help I cannot answer.

[DG]

What checked swing? He called interference on the swing.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by DG

What checked swing? He called interference on the swing.

Two separate arguments, same game, same team.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Under OBR, if a plate umpire is asked to seek help on a check swing, he is obligated to go to a partner for help. It's not an option. Why the umpire in question refused to not seek help I cannot answer.

Since when?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mattmets

Since when?

From the MLBUM:

8.6 CHECK-SWING APPEALS
The Casebook Comments to Official Baseball Rule 9.02(c) provide that the manager or catcher may request the plate umpire to ask a partner for help on a half-swing when the plate umpire calls the pitch a ball. The rule further states that appeals on a half-swing may only be made on a call of ball and when asked to appeal.

The preferred mechanic for asking help on a check swing is for the plate umpire to point assertively with the left arm directly at the appropriate base umpire while asking if the batter swung. This mechanic helps avoid confusion between an appeal and a strike mechanic.

Under the Official Baseball Rules, the plate umpire has an obligation to ask for help when the catcher or manager of the defensive team requests an appeal.

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by mattmets

Since when?

Assuming that's not a rhetorical question, since 1976, according to Jim Evans in Baseball Rules Annotated.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by Dave Hensley

Assuming that's not a rhetorical question, since 1976, according to Jim Evans in Baseball Rules Annotated.

Semi-rhetorical. Steve's answer was enough for me, but thanks.

[johnnyg08]

Anybody know where to get the MLB Casebook that I referred to in my earlier post on this thread? It's called the something like the Professional Baseball Umpire Manual or something like that...I can't find the thing anywhere...thanks guys...baseball is almost done for the year here in MN...Amateur state tournament is starting next weekend and goes through Labor Day weekend, then we're done here except for some off and on fall league stuff...anyway, thanks to anybody who can help me find a copy of this manual.