LL Bat Question

[LilLeaguer]

OK, let me break tradition and ask Rich (and Tim C too, if he wants to unignore it) an OBR question in a LL thread.

I don't know much about real umpiring, as you all make clear. And I know that you're tired of me (though I miss the date requests I used to be getting ) Carl Childress has an article somewhere in cyberspace about the intricacies of the NCAA DH rule, where he makes it clear that he would explain a rule to a manager.

Situation 1: In the fifth inning, a manager wants to move his DH into a position on the field. He asks you how this affects his lineup. Do you tell him?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by LilLeaguer

OK, let me break tradition and ask Rich (and Tim C too, if he wants to unignore it) an OBR question in a LL thread.

I don't know much about real umpiring, as you all make clear. And I know that you're tired of me (though I miss the date requests I used to be getting ) Carl Childress has an article somewhere in cyberspace about the intricacies of the NCAA DH rule, where he makes it clear that he would explain a rule to a manager.

Situation 1: In the fifth inning, a manager wants to move his DH into a position on the field. He asks you how this affects his lineup. Do you tell him?

I would answer with another question -- "What do you want to do?" Then, when he gives a specific answer (e.g., "That's all -- keep F1 pitching and remove F7") I'd give a specific ruling ("Then F1 will bat in F7's spot and you have no more DH")

I clearly make a distinction between "game" issues / rules and "roster" issues / rules.

[LilLeaguer]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I would answer with another question -- "What do you want to do?" Then, when he gives a specific answer (e.g., "That's all -- keep F1 pitching and remove F7") I'd give a specific ruling ("Then F1 will bat in F7's spot and you have no more DH")

I clearly make a distinction between "game" issues / rules and "roster" issues / rules.

Thanks.

I'm not sure that the line is completely bright, but I think that this is the same boundary other folks are talking about.

For example, I believe we've had threads in the past on this site that dispute the role of Real Umpires in the game issue of illegal substitution.

(LL-specific content follows)

At the extreme end, I also don't involve myself with roster issues; I trust that the roster handed to me by the manager or Tournament Director is correct, and I don't hire a private detective to scrounge up real birth certificates or anything.

But LL has some rules that push against that boundary (e.g. weekly inning counts per pitcher, though that may be going away), and I do feel that I'm helping the game along by just explaining the rules when asked.

And besides that mantra that Real Umpires umpire, I don't understand the reason not to explain the rule, again if asked.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by LilLeaguer

And besides that mantra that Real Umpires umpire, I don't understand the reason not to explain the rule, again if asked.

If I'm acting in my role as umpire, I answer umpire questions only. I "know" some of the IHSA suspension / eligibility rules, but I won't give an answer to those questions on the field. I won't give a pitching clinic, or a rules clinic, or umpiring philosophy, ... on the field either. I have, and will, talk to groups during scrimmages (and I understand that word means different things in different areas -- here it's really just another practice) about almost anything related to the sport.

[LilLeaguer]

Originally Posted by Tim C

"Quote:
Originally Posted by LilLeaguer
And besides that mantra that Real Umpires umpire, I don't understand the reason not to explain the rule, again if asked.


"If I'm acting in my role as umpire, I answer umpire questions only. I "know" some of the IHSA suspension / eligibility rules, but I won't give an answer to those questions on the field. I won't give a pitching clinic, or a rules clinic, or umpiring philosophy, ... on the field either. I have, and will, talk to groups during scrimmages (and I understand that word means different things in different areas -- here it's really just another practice) about almost anything related to the sport."

A "real umpire" understands that knowledge of the rules of baseball is a two way street.

Like Bob, I often go to pre-season scrimmages and help TEACH rules.

In fact, as the 1st Vice President - Rules of my local association part of my duties are to go to coaching clinics (meetings) and explain not only new rules but how all rules can be interpreted.

Once a game begins I don't "splain" nuttin'.

I don't even offer options (my bad, I know) . . . all coaches need to invest in learning also.

There is a place in baseball (small diamond) for people who just love the game, to umpire. They should umpire their games as they want . . . if they want to explain rules, keep track of non-umpire issues, care about particpants qualifications they should be allowed that right.

They should also understand that they will always be Smitty's and should be happy with the low level games they work.

Regards,

If you don't want to respect my decision to work Little League, Little League level ball, or my umpiring skills, that's fine. I'm not trying to "win you over." And, even without that respect, I've learned a lot from you in particular, and your advice has changed the way I umpire, so this exchange works for me. I think that in following it, I'm a better Little League umpire. I'm sorry that my learning process seems to frustrate so many on this forum.

Situation 2. OBR (American League) rules. The defensive manager wants to move the pitcher to left field and bring in a new pitcher. He asks you, the umpire, where the new pitcher should go in the lineup. Will you answer? If he asks if the new pitcher bats in place of the DH in the order, will you correct him?

[SanDiegoSteve]