Neighborhood Play

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Please tell me that you only officiate children's ball! I would hate to think that you officiate on the 90' diamiond and are asking this question.

Yes, at this age level the "neighborhood play" is correct.

So I suppose you let the runners touch the bag with the "neighborhood play" too correct?

Tell me, how close is close enough? 2"? 6"? 3'?

Call what you see. It is REALLY good for your integrity.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by rei

Call what you see. It is REALLY good for your integrity.

Just as calling what's expected for the level you're working is good for your games and career.........

Do you force a fielder to leave his glove in a runners base path on a tag where the runner is sliding directly into a base, or do you allow them to swipe near the foot and get their hand out of the way............

I propose that it's better to call what you need to see.


Tim.

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Just as calling what's expected for the level you're working is good for your games and career.........

Do you force a fielder to leave his glove in a runners base path on a tag where the runner is sliding directly into a base, or do you allow them to swipe near the foot and get their hand out of the way............

Well, I do know that I have had a pretty decent career! Certainly, call a runner safe at second because the SS did a "neighborhood play" hasn't hurt my career. It actually caused a DIII head coach to request me for his home games when I called the SS off the bag during a conference game. The defensive coach didn't even come out of the dug out! That coach had just won the DIII national championship the year before too.

I have NEVER had a very serious argument calling the "neighborhood play" safe if that is what I see. No, I don't always see the miss, and indeed, I don't look THAT hard for it. But if I see him miss, I am going with safe as the call. I am perfectly willing to "discuss" the play with the coach. I have never ejected a player and/or coach over this play. I HAVE gained a lot of respect as the guy that "calls what he sees". THAT has been good for my career, because almost every coach wants integrity when the big game is on the line.

Yes, I have called safe runners who were not tagged. The usual response from the head coach is not being pissed at me, but rather something to the effect of "Make the ^$#$$ing tag next time" to his fielder.

I am supposing that many guys that let the phantom plays stand are also the guys milking 12" off the plate for a strike too, just because the catcher stuck it?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Just as calling what's expected for the level you're working is good for your games and career.........

Do you force a fielder to leave his glove in a runners base path on a tag where the runner is sliding directly into a base, or do you allow them to swipe near the foot and get their hand out of the way............

I propose that it's better to call what you need to see.


Tim.

He better tag him if I am watching the play.

Now if I am in the middle of the diamond and I am a ways away I am not going to nit pick a tag to the millimeter. But if he wants to get a tag he better keep his glove down so that I can call the player out. I have never had a problem calling it that way my entire career. And if you know how to make a tag, you do not need to stay in the path of the runner.

Peace

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by rei

So I suppose you let the runners touch the bag with the "neighborhood play" too correct?

Tell me, how close is close enough? 2"? 6"? 3'?

Call what you see. It is REALLY good for your integrity.

Well, Rei, I've been calling this for almost 30 years and I've never received a complaint. I do not do as some of our former (MLB) brothers have - almost 2 feet off the bag is not where I call it.

The best description I can give you is about a step off the bag. Pretty much what was taught in the late seventies in pro school. I've called this from HS through adult levels and never gave it much thought. Again, in this area, it is the expected call and the players work hard at getting just close enough.

Let's say it's not much different than a good F3 who pulls the foot off the bag to keep from getting "nailed". We've all seen that in pro and amateur baseball. Or how about that marginal strike that is really off the plate but still in the black. We all "give" a little whether you realize it or not. The only times I have ever seen the game called "pure" is when the Knickerbocker Games come to the area. There the Caller (umpire) sits to the side in his top hat and tails, nursing a beer and judging whether the "called-for" pitch was correctly thrown!

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Well, Rei, I've been calling this for almost 30 years and I've never received a complaint. I do not do as some of our former (MLB) brothers have - almost 2 feet off the bag is not where I call it.

The best description I can give you is about a step off the bag. Pretty much what was taught in the late seventies in pro school.

In the 70s there was no FPSR
Old dogs need to keep up with the game

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by CO ump

In the 70s there was no FPSR
Old dogs need to keep up with the game

Yeah, I guess you are all correct in that statement! I should come up to speed, let's see:
I need to meet with my partners for every other call.

1. I need to go to my partner every time a coach challenges me.
2. I need to stop using the scissors when my back flairs up.
3. I must hold "church service" at the plate meeting and explain every detail of the game and how it will be called.
4. I need to justify my strike zone.
5. I need to accept that there are rising fastballs.
6. I need to understand that the batter may be frustrated with himself as he yells about my called strike three.
7. I need to stop using the double safe signal and figure out another way of emphasizing a close play.
8. I need to stop ejecting people for using "urban language" because this is the way they were brought up.
9. I need to stop using the neighborhood play because it was taught before FPSR.
10. I need to stop wearing my plate coat because no one else wears one.
11. I need to stop using my indicator on the bases because it is "unprofessional" even though I have CRS.
12. I need to be exactly where the CCA manual says to be because I am too stupid to decide for myself I need to be deep instead of shallow.
13. I need to make my calls faster because I have too much of a delay.
14. I need to accept IR in baseball because it will make the game more enjoyable for MLB fans and players. I should not be concerned with what it will do to the amateur side of the game.
15. I need to be nicer to other, younger, inexperienced officials because I am a crusty old fart that needs to come up to speed and have a better attitude.
16. I need to review this entire list and add more corrections each year.

And if you all hold your breath, I will accomplish these things in a quick and orderly fashion! Wait for it!