Tim I understand that this is Fall ball but NEW coaches also need to learn protocol

From the OP

later on the poster also says that he was BU which makes this entire OP very confusing.

If he was BU what's he doing making the call in the first place? It belongs to the PU. Explain to the new coach "Skip please talk to the PU"

Then if your partner asks you for your input give it.

If it's learning then allow the PU to explain himself.

As mentioned this OP was not very clear to begin with.

Pete Booth

A runner's baseline is not established until a fielder attempts a tag. In your original situation, the tag was attempted when the runner was behind the catcher, so it sounds like the issue of going around the catcher was moot.

As for the obstruction- the catcher was in the act of fielding the ball... no obstruction.

1. The issue of baseline is irrelevant, as many posters have noted, until the defense plays on a runner. At that point, the runner must run directly toward his advance or previous base. When not being played on, runners can literally go wherever they want.

2. The runner is under no obligation to avoid a collision. Indeed, such a collision is generally to a runner's advantage, since the fielder with which he collides is at risk of being called for obstruction.

As an "aside":
 

"BigRed Machine" is also trying to convince us that he is a "major college umpire" . . . which I find a stretch . . . prove me wrong and I will apologize.

Regards,

PS: Didn't think so . . .

I think the baseline is always a straight line between each base.
The base path is what you are concerned about when the defense is making a play on a runner(s)
Sorry, it just bothered me. They tell me baseline and base path are different subjects and not interchangeable.

The sentence sounds as if bigredmachine called college ball in one of the best college associations around in the past tense. It in no way implies he calls D-1 ball in the present or future tense.

ST

I'm not sure who "they" are but the rulebook uses baseLINE.

7.08 Any runner is out when—
(a) (1) He runs more than three feet away from his baseline to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s baseline is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach safely;

ST,

Actually, the sentence implies that he has called college ball, not that he used to call college ball. "I have called" can be either past or present tense. A verb tense expressing an action that began in the past and which has been completed or continues into the present is known as the present-perfect tense. The present-perfect is formed by combining "has" or "have" with a past participle, which in this case is the word, "worked."

• If you are the BU and the play is on the 3rd base line (other than assisting in a rundown), you have no business getting involved with the call. That is the PU's job!
• If the coach comes to you (Fall Ball or not) on a play as described above, you as the BU refer the coach to your partner and end the discussion.

Here is a perfect reason for you not being in this discussion. By your own description, the runner was making a wide turn and running down the line toward home. He ran past F2 and then F2 caught the ball. How do you as the BU have any input to this? This is where you have to learn to keep quiet and refer the coach to the PU..... no excuses!

This all started when I just wanted an opininon or explanation on what some other umps would have ruled. That way I knew my partner got the call right. Pete told me I needed to go to clinics, which I have to several. You guys start freakin out on me. I am not trying to convince anybody of anything, I have called college ball for 10 years, a few D1 non conference games, but mostly NAIA and JUCO. I had great evaluations, but I coach High School ball so I just do summer and fall ball now. Lighten up fellas.

Thanks for all the advice, that is why I joined the boards.

I can assure that is NOT going to happen here! ;)

....and welcome to the board.

No one's freaking out on you AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! ;):D

IMO, no-one "got on you"

Your OP was very confusing to say the least. You started your OP saying you made a call on a play that belongs to the PU. All indications in your opening post indicated to me and I believe others as well that you in FACT had the dish.

Then later on you tell us that were the BU.

IMO, that's where others includes myself started questioning you.

Even though it's fall ball I cannot understand why you as BU made a call that does not belong to you or try to explain your partners call to a coach. It doesn't make any sense and as mentioned was very confusing.

Therefore, no one was getting on "your case" just questioning your mechanics based upon your description of events.

Pete Booth

The thing about internet boards is that anyone can claim to be anything. In the end, how one handles oneself will prove that one is what one says one is. Case in point--in the OP, you ask a question about something that SHOULD have been covered in a first-year rookie clinic. That you needed to ask opinions here on this call will tend to make people question your credentials.

Moving along, and giving you the benefit of the doubt, if the particular league you were officiating expects you to teach the rules to coaches as you go, then I have no issue with that part (except that he first questioned the PU, didn't like what he heard, and THEN came to you). But keep it short, simple, and accurate (there was no tag attempt, so there cannot be an infraction for running outside the baseline).

And yes, welcome to the board.