Little League Problem

[joelope]

Little League game. Batter checks swing on high pitch which I would have called a ball. Ball hit batters hand. Batter fell to ground. I called dead ball, after coach checked him I awarded him first base. Defensive coach went ballistic. I told him it hit his hand and he started yelling his hand is part of the bat. I asked him when he bought the bat did the batters hand come with it. He just walked away saying that's terrible umpiring. Did I make the correct call or am I missing something.

[TwoBits]

You are 100% correct.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by joelope

I asked him when he bought the bat did the batters hand come with it. He just walked away saying that's terrible umpiring.

Be careful with smart-a$$ery: it does not serve us well. The comment I make when I get "the hands are part of the bat" is: only in cricket, coach.

[Welpe]

You're good as long as you judged that the batter didn't offer at the pitch.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by joelope

... Defensive coach went ballistic. ... I asked him when he bought the bat did the batters hand come with it.

In comedy, like most things in life, timing is everything. Plus, you have to know your audience. You got the call right, but blew the timing and audience part.

[ODJ]

Hand the bat to the coach and ask him to find the batter's hands.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by joelope

Little League game. Batter checks swing on high pitch which I would have called a ball. Ball hit batters hand. Batter fell to ground. I called dead ball, after coach checked him I awarded him first base. Defensive coach went ballistic. I told him it hit his hand and he started yelling his hand is part of the bat. I asked him when he bought the bat did the batters hand come with it. He just walked away saying that's terrible umpiring. Did I make the correct call or am I missing something.

Ballistic and yelling are not good. Did you request for him to calm down? Be careful NOT to ask coaches any questions, especially one like the hands coming w/ bat. You may not like their response. How right or wrong you feel about it doesn't matter to anyone. The fuel you pour onto the fire may come back and hurt you later.

Did you make the right call? HTBT, and even then I may have missed it too. But unless your absolutely certain, or certain you will not change your call because of the coach's actions deserve no recognition; you may have asked your partner for his opinion. Most check swings are strikes. The batter fails to check his swing on time. Your partner may have had added info to your decision. "Did he go?' shuts coaches up really quick. Of course, your off the "limb" if your partner says no and you fall gently if he says yes. Move on quickly and play ball.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by ODJ

Hand the bat to the coach and ask him to find the batter's hands.

Again, it would be foolish to say this to a coach that is already angry. It's just fanning the flames, and uncalled for. Timing is everything if you're trying to use humor to defuse a situation.

[aceholleran]

Joe, you got it right. Which is what matters most. Did you handle it well?

Hmmm.

IMHO, exchange as few words as possible with coach. It's not your job to "explain" the call.

Good, crisp, clear mechanics help. First signify the dead ball, to stop runners from moseying around. Wait for batter to run to first. If he does not, verbally tell him so, without an arm mechanic.

The "terrible umpiring" remark puts that coach, for me, on thin ice. However, it's not our job to make anyone, no matter how wrong s/he is, more angry. I think your reply, however witty, is something you might reconsider.

Here's my explanation: "Batter hit by pitch."

I had a similar sitch (HS game, but the rules are the same at any level) where batter swung and missed at a pitch that hit him in the ribcage. Sure enough, there were two strikes on him before the pitch. Not only did I kill the play, but had to declare the batter out, as he's writhing on the ground.

Offensive coach gets his shorts in a knot. "He can't be out; it hit him."

"Incorrect," I said.

With each year (this my 32nd), I try to see how few words I can exchnage with anyone (save the catcher) during a ballgame.

Ace in CT

[TussAgee11]

Ace, it might not be our job to "explain" calls, but I think if the defensive coach comes out in an appropriate manner and just talks with me, he can get his explanation.

If he starts the yelling screaming "terrible umpiring" antics, then he no doubt is getting one word answers.

Something I learned several weekends ago at a clinic for basketball that I think holds true for baseball.

1) Answer questions. Don't respond to statements.
2) Allow coaches to speak, and acknowledge that you are listening. Sometimes they just need somebody to talk to.
3) Remember that, in his eyes, your calls will either help or hurt him from winning, and his job depends on winning. So its natural for him to get upset... even when you're 100% right.
4) Use positive communication with the coach, don't use "don't" statements.

Two weeks ago I was calling a U15 game. Pitcher double sets, I balk him, here comes HC. Starts yelling at me from the foul line. I respond "Coach, you can come here and talk". He comes out and as he was approaching I said again, "just talk Coach. I'll listen".

He went on about how his pitcher never balks, how this time was no different, on and on and on for about 10 seconds, in a conversational tone of voice. I just stood there, hands at my side. He then finally asked, "what did he do?" I gave him his answer, "double set", and he said back, "well I don't think he did" and turned to get back to his dugout.

Just by telling him to come talk when he was yelling from the foul line, and acknowledging that I would listen to him, I didn't have to dump this guy. Also responding to his statements would have just gotten him riled up, but when the time came, I answered his question.

This whole incident took maybe 30 seconds, but I gave the coach positive communication, allowed him to speak, made it look like I cared what he had to say (I could really give two rats a$$ ) I think an approach similar to this would have worked well in the OP sitch.

Thoughts?

[crewumpires]

question, in that same senario with him swinging the bat, and the ball is hit back to the pitcher who fields it and throws to first for an apparent out. What would your call be? "can a batter put ball in play with his hands?"

(I called a strike and returned B1 to Batters box for another try. Coach was not happy and I wondered if I blew the call)

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by crewumpires

question, in that same senario with him swinging the bat, and the ball is hit back to the pitcher who fields it and throws to first for an apparent out. What would your call be? "can a batter put ball in play with his hands?"

(I called a strike and returned B1 to Batters box for another try. Coach was not happy and I wondered if I blew the call)

Any time a pitch hits a batter, the ball is dead. Whatever else you're going to call (foul, strike, HBP, etc.) the ball is dead. No play can be made.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by joelope

Batter checks swing on high pitch which I would have called a ball. Ball hit batters hand. . . . I awarded him first base.

My image of this is that the batter hit the ball, not the other way around. The pitch was a ball because it was high, not inside. Even though PU judged no attempt to strike the ball, it doesn't seem right that a batter can cause the ball to hit him, even unintentionally, and be awarded first base. I have a hard time imagining the batter not attempting to strike at a pitch above the plate when his hands strike the ball, but I suppose it's possible. HTBT, but I would likely say that this batter made no attempt to avoid being touched by the pitch. But I gather that veteran good umpires disfavor this exception. Maybe DC should have asked for a checked swing appeal.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Paul L

it doesn't seem right

You won't believe how much trouble this phrase will bring you. Think as an umpire, not as a coach/spectator.

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by Paul L

My image of this is that the batter hit the ball, not the other way around. The pitch was a ball because it was high, not inside. Even though PU judged no attempt to strike the ball, it doesn't seem right that a batter can cause the ball to hit him, even unintentionally, and be awarded first base. I have a hard time imagining the batter not attempting to strike at a pitch above the plate when his hands strike the ball, but I suppose it's possible. HTBT, but I would likely say that this batter made no attempt to avoid being touched by the pitch. But I gather that veteran good umpires disfavor this exception. Maybe DC should have asked for a checked swing appeal.

I would see checking his swing as an attempt not to get hit by the ball...

Unless the batter actively flinches at the ball as it comes in (perhaps with the knee or elbow), or just stands there with absolutely no movement, he's getting first base. Pretty much every other thing he can do is an attempt to not be struck with the pitch, including checking a swing.

I'd have to be there though to say 100%... but the way you described it, I'm awarding first.