MLB Differences?

[JJ]

I, too, have seen many MLB pitchers run through stops with runners on base. Running through with no runners isn't a balk - not on any level - but that wasn't the thrust of my post.
Watch the rest of the playoffs and see how many righties run through with runners on any or all bases.

JJ

[JR12]

I thought any part of the foot, touching any part of the line is considered "in the box"

[JJ]

I was talking about the back foot being completely out of the box.

Also, the foot may be ON the line, but no part of it may be OUTSIDE of the line when the batter takes his position (MLB Rules 6.03). This part is loosely adhered to, and is not what I was concerned with.

JJ

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by JJ

I was talking about the back foot being completely out of the box.

Also, the foot may be ON the line, but no part of it may be OUTSIDE of the line when the batter takes his position (MLB Rules 6.03). This part is loosely adhered to, and is not what I was concerned with.

JJ

At time of the pitch you can see the back foot out of the box or for that matter anytime during an at bat? If you can I'm switching chanels. Watching a game on TV this is the last thing I want to see. Besides after the a batter or two the box is gone. I don't think I've ever called an out with the back foot out of the box.

Enjoy the game quit watching the umpires. It's doubtful you'll pick up anything that you can apply at whatever level of ball you work.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by gordon30307

At time of the pitch you can see the back foot out of the box or for that matter anytime during an at bat? If you can I'm switching chanels. Watching a game on TV this is the last thing I want to see. Besides after the a batter or two the box is gone. I don't think I've ever called an out with the back foot out of the box.

Enjoy the game quit watching the umpires. It's doubtful you'll pick up anything that you can apply at whatever level of ball you work.

I saw it too--the reason why it was visible is that they showed a close-up of the feet in the box as they were describing how close the batter stood to the plate.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by gordon30307

At time of the pitch you can see the back foot out of the box or for that matter anytime during an at bat? If you can I'm switching chanels. Watching a game on TV this is the last thing I want to see. Besides after the a batter or two the box is gone. I don't think I've ever called an out with the back foot out of the box.

Enjoy the game quit watching the umpires. It's doubtful you'll pick up anything that you can apply at whatever level of ball you work.

Now that's funny. You certainly appear to be more of a fan than an umpire. The reason I commented on this in the first place was because the tv folks showed a closeup of that batter's foot. Matt picked up on it, too. I guess he's less of a fan (like you) and more of an umpire (like me).
Keep watching - you may pick up something that you can apply to whatever level of ball YOU work.
Oh, FWIW, I've never called an out with the back foot out of the box, but I HAVE told batters to "get in the box" before the pitcher pitches. Picking boogers? Not when the opposing catcher calls it to my attention. I choose not to ignore that situation on the level of ball that I work.

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by JJ

Now that's funny. You certainly appear to be more of a fan than an umpire. The reason I commented on this in the first place was because the tv folks showed a closeup of that batter's foot. Matt picked up on it, too. I guess he's less of a fan (like you) and more of an umpire (like me).
Keep watching - you may pick up something that you can apply to whatever level of ball YOU work.
Oh, FWIW, I've never called an out with the back foot out of the box, but I HAVE told batters to "get in the box" before the pitcher pitches. Picking boogers? Not when the opposing catcher calls it to my attention. I choose not to ignore that situation on the level of ball that I work.

The only time I watch an official work is if I'm going to support a friend working a State Tourney game etc. Watching a game on TV or in person I'm watching the GAME. I don't care who's working what playoff series etc. At the major league level game management is different, coverage is different, there's no FPSR, fly ball coverage is different. They're working with four man crews. If you want to learn umpiring attend clinics, join an association, get a mentor and do lots and lots of games.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by gordon30307

The only time I watch an official work is if I'm going to support a friend working a State Tourney game etc. Watching a game on TV or in person I'm watching the GAME. I don't care who's working what playoff series etc. At the major league level game management is different, coverage is different, there's no FPSR, fly ball coverage is different. They're working with four man crews. If you want to learn umpiring attend clinics, join an association, get a mentor and do lots and lots of games.

There was no FPSR in the many OBR games I worked either, and I've certainly learned a lot over the years by watching MLB umpires. Just because the pros don't play by the sissy HS rules doesn't mean you shouldn't watch them at work.

I worked plenty of 3 man and some 4 man games as well, and the rotations and coverages were exactly the same as MLB. If I were to work 6 man, I'm sure we would be using MLB rotations and coverages. I worked over 3,000 games over 21 years, and still find things to learn from watching the umpires on TV or at the games. There are lots of things to study, most importantly how to carry yourself on the field. They are generally the best umpires in the business (with a few notable exceptions), so there is always something to be learned by emulating them.

[justanotherblue]

Originally Posted by gordon30307

The only time I watch an official work is if I'm going to support a friend working a State Tourney game etc. Watching a game on TV or in person I'm watching the GAME. I don't care who's working what playoff series etc. At the major league level game management is different, coverage is different, there's no FPSR, fly ball coverage is different. They're working with four man crews. If you want to learn umpiring attend clinics, join an association, get a mentor and do lots and lots of games.

That's to bad, if you had been watching the umpires during the playoffs, you would have seen Ted Barrett working the plate. There was a great shot of him demonstrating outstanding proper use of eyes. You could CLEARLY see him track the ball completly into the glove with his eyes without moving his head.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by JR12

I thought any part of the foot, touching any part of the line is considered "in the box"

That's true when the batter hits the ball.

When taking his stance, he's supposed to be entirely in the box (no part of the foot outside the box).