Play at plate video

[w_sohl]

Originally Posted by DG

You discuss how to handle ejections in pre-game?

Just like in basketball we discuss potential ejections. You want to know how to handle the sitch before you have to handle it.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Many times, when I see umpires allow an ejected coach to stick around and have his say, the situation goes from bad to worse with the coach showing up the umpire(s) and further delaying the game. What part of that is positive?

Depends, if the coach is showing his *** and the umpire is showing his class...

I'm not there to let some clown entertain the crowd. I'm there to work a baseball game. An ejected coach may stay a bit too long on the field acting out, but not with me participating.

Correct and atw hat point do you interact with the coach to remind him that his continued presence = GAME OVER.

Ah, yes, not talked about here, the ultimate and only real weapon and amateur ump has. Forfeit.

I have a very simple way, a mechanic, which works very well. If I am PU and the talk isover, I assume my position behind the plate, helmet on, waive to F1 to begin to pitch. What? Coach not gon yet? Time called, helmet off, approach Coach and lay down the ultimatum.

"Coach, I am going to resume my position behind the plate and restart this game. If you have not exited the (sight, field, w/e is required by an ejection) by the time I call "Play", this game is over."

Then do it.

If I am BU, same scenario less helmet and with a handoff point to PU to restart play.
I hear a lt of bravado about not playing with the clowns and all that crap but not once has anyone come forward with a CURE for the recalcitrant coach. There is only one cure.

Dump him then dump then game.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by w_sohl

Just like in basketball we discuss potential ejections. You want to know how to handle the sitch before you have to handle it.

Why not? Ejections and forfeits from ejected coaches who ignore ejections are part of Game Control, too many umps think they are part of some kind of emergency, let's not talk about that, OMGod!!

Hshshtt, talk to your partner.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by chuckfan1

http://www.youtube.com/v/WEp7JBcDwQE

Play at the plate. Though the video doesnt show the actual attempted play, it appears F2 never had control of the ball, and the call was made to quick. In addition, as the rundown is happening, PU should have taken off his mask, and be ready for any potential play. Instead he reacts as the ball is coming home. He looks frozen there, til the play is headed his way. Later as he is talking to the coach, his partner probably should have come down sooner, been about 10 feet away listening in, in case anything is said, he can verify.

This is a what the 4th inning? The coach comes down and instead of realizing that PU has blown the call for some reason (obviously he must have been blocked for the ball was clearly loose), he does his hands in the pocket thing until he can no longer control his inability to reason. So he points and gets tossed. Surprise, surprise. NOT.

PU did all kinds of things wrong no doubt but it is the 4th inning, a close game, is coach best thrown out? i dont think so.

Nowhere did I hear " Blue, I'm not lying to you the catcher kicked the ball out ot the infield grass, you didn't see it. That's OK but your partner may have. Could you ask him if he did?" Then wait.

If neither can get together on the right call, MOVE ON.

Here's a couple of other pieces to consider. Was R1 picked off or drawing the throw. If picked off, then the OFF is begging for assistance to bail them out. SORRY! If a play, then there is more legitmacy in the gripe. Tell PU that ""We set this play up and got what we wanted, a trade for an out for a run. Blue, we got our run if your partner will concur, F2 had no control."

[linedrive2ss]

As the play developed, the PU should have moved to 1st base line extended, so he could oversee the run down and be ready for the play at the plate. As the runner and ball converge at the plate, he should have stepped up the 3rd base line a few feet, giving a better view of the tag/foot on base, etc... also would not have been screened on the dropped ball. As with any close play/collision: Pause, Read, React. Play's over: "Show me the ball. He's out!"
Base U did the right thing by turning with the ball once his play was over, but, when you see a dropped ball that was screened to partner, you should call 'Time' and trot on over (whilst your partner trots on over to you -- ain't nothin' goin' to happen until you say what's what, plenty of time) to inform your partner of what you saw -- nice and private-like. He then can confirm/alter his call.
I've never had a problem with a coach that came out (after a brief conference between partner and I) and did not accept: "Coach, we just talked about the very thing you are concerned about, because we want to make sure to get the call right. The call stands (or: My partner saw the ball on the ground, I was screened, the call is: safe)."
Meanwhile, of course, partner should have been closer at hand instead of wandering around after he convinced 1st base coach to let his manager discuss the play.
The opportune moment came when the coach backed off with his hands spread in appeal. Fine time to step in and mosey off a few feet with the PU and just tell him what you saw.
Also of course ... what's wrong with saying to a coach asking that you et help: "No problem, coach. Hang on a minute." And pat your chest to your partner. He trots in, you wander over: "You got anything on that play?"

Inexperienced umpire, a bit of ego creeping in, not enough time before the call, too agressive towards the coach -- and, yes, the "herding off by the BU was a bit much.
Coach should have stayed in the game. These guys forgot that our most important function if to get the call right.

The only time we are required to get help is on a check-swing ball. Any other time, if it helps us -- as a team -- get the call right, we should take the 20 seconds and let everyone at the field that we are not ego-driven, just integrity-driven.

[FTVMartin]

It looked like the PU was frozen. He kept checking the runner at third while watching the play at 1st. He should have moved his feet instead of just his head.

I know the mechanic in this play is at 3rd BLex but I've never liked that. I like to work 1st BLex. I feel I get a better view of the play developing and also of the front edge of the plate.

Either way, he needed to slow down and get the call right. He should have allowed the coach a little more room since he obviously screwed up the call.

[sri8527]

guys, the problem here is that the PU has no idea he kicked the call, he, because of bad mechanics, just plain and simple never saw the ball on the ground. if the rat asked him to get help and he said it was his call, or he does'nt need help, or anything else similar, then the PU has too live with the call, the rat "knows" the ball was on the ground. if PU refuses to ask for help, shame on him, he just compounded his first mistake. if he does ask and BU says he has nothing, then you eat the call. now with all that said, by now, with all the yelling, i am pretty sure PU knows what everyone else knows. he kicked the call. now when rat starts his rant, you may give him a little more rope, but when the demonstation starts, see ya.

steve