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- - how would you fix this? (https://forum.officiating.com/baseball/44557-how-would-you-fix.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rei

Under FED, you stick with the foul ball call.

I did almost the same exact thing this year.:o

In a playoff game last night, we had a situation where a batter hit the ball off the end of the bat. The ball bounced out into the field funny. The ball was fielded and the batter/runner thrown out at first. As we follow our eyes to U1, he has his arms up for foul ball!!! :( Then he slaps his foot. Upon the meeting of the minds, the plate guy and me (U3) KNOW that it didn't hit the batters foot. From my angle, which was 90 degrees from his foot and ball, and seen at least 2 feet of daylight between ball and foot. I know for certain it never hit his foot. Oh well.

The only "right" call was to let the "foul ball" stand. The UIC took charge and told the defensive team head coach that no matter whether there was a judgment mistake or not, by rule, once it is called foul, it is foul. No argument. The batter hit a double after that taking that 0-1 count to full count! :(

Just curious.
Why was there a meeting of the minds?
U1 sees the ball hit the foot, properly signals foul. It's foul. Get the batter back in the box and lets play.
If DHC or OHC has a problem he deals with U1 not the whole crew.
IMO, UIC had no business being involved at all, except to get the batter back in the box. Being this was a playoff game I'm assuming U1 can take care of himself. Secondly, it appears as if UIC threw U1 under the bus with his comment about mistake in judgement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbyron

I disagree. He's right to insist on fairness,

Fairness has nothing to do with it. The rules aren't fair in numerous places. Our job is to see that neither team gets an advantage not intended by the rules, not to decide what is fair and what isn't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Ah, now we're just quibbling over 'fair'. All I mean is, unfair="advantage not intended by the rules." In general, for any game the rules define fairness (that's why "life is not fair"). You must have some more substantive notion of fairness in mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbyron

No. I'm using and responding to the word "fair" as it is commonly defined and used by the population in general, particularly whiny coaches, players, fans and misunderstanding umpires. You seem to be attempting to create a new defintition of the word.

The rules do not define "fair". They define accepted and required practices and observances of a game, some of which are not "fair."

The role of the umpire is not to decide what is fair, but to enforce the rules, whether they appear fair or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

The rules define what is fair for games.