Originally Posted by greymule (Post 561959)

It is something of a contradiction, since a good umpire should want to become a better umpire and use every means at his disposal to improve his performance. Therefore, he would need the books. But since B does not follow from A—and many would argue that A is false to begin with—the statement is also a non sequitur. Of course, we probably differ on the meaning of "good" in terms of umpiring.

If all you have is the OBR book, how are you going to call the play in which the runner from 2B, on a ground ball to short, stops in front of F6 to block his vision, and then, with no contact made, continues toward 3B just before the ball bounces up and hits F6 in the nose?

The "good" umpire—the one with only the OBR book and without the interpretive guides—could certainly call the runner out for interference. The "good" umpire could argue that the runner "hinder[ed] a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball," that by intentionally positioning himself in the way, he committed an act that "interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play." The "good" umpire would follow the book and make the wrong call.

Without the interpretive guides, you're going to call a lot of plays the wrong way. A good umpire does not call a lot of plays the wrong way.

There are dozens more plays—real-life plays, not third-world plays—that require knowledge not in the rule book.

Originally Posted by Umpmazza (Post 561970)

I think most of you missed the point.... I didnt say I dont have any books... I have all the books avail except J/R and BRD.... I have the Balk video, the Virtual umpire CD.. and a few more I cant think of.

Originally Posted by DG (Post 562035)

"All the books" but not J/R or BRD. Which Balk video? A few more you can't think of... I wonder what you learned from the ones you can't think of? Good luck with your "live" interpretations.

Originally Posted by Umpmazza (Post 562044)

I have the CCA manual as I umpire College ball Div-II, Div-III and JUCO... I h ave the PBUC both red and Blue. Jim Evan Balk Video is there any other:rolleyes: MLB Umpires manual : Procedures and Interpretations. And for High School I have ther rules by topic...

So I will have good luck with these books... Thanks Buddy:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by SAump (Post 562255)

Not enough information.
Was R2 inside or outside the dirt circle? I don't know.
Is, "I'm appealing," a valid appeal? I don't know.
I have an incomplete sentence structure!
Until I know the answer to kylejt's question, I have no ruling, except for HTBT.

Originally Posted by BigUmp56 (Post 562256)

What does R2 being inside or outside the dirt circle have to do with anything?
Tim.

Originally Posted by DG (Post 562242)

Oh, so you are a college guy...:rolleyes:, you should get the Study Guide: College Baseball Rules....

Originally Posted by SAump (Post 562228)

You won't find this in a rule book.
THE LAST TIME BY.
by George Lucy & Warren Wilson
Link: THE LAST TIME BY

Kylejt inquired about the dirt "circle" in post #2. I think he may have made the right call.

Originally Posted by SAump (Post 562301)

The OP tells you what the catcher did.
It fails to provide information about the runner.
Which option is close enough to meet the "established" criteria?
How long does immediately take?
About as much as option A) scrambling back to tag the plate from the area near the dugout.
Where does immediate vicinity begin?
About as much as B) heading toward the dugout from the area near the plate.
Where is R2, how did he get there, and what did he do afterwards?
I am willing to give either team the benefit of doubt.
But I need that info to make a ruling on this play.

Originally Posted by Umpmazza (Post 561197)

what in the heck do you mean Unrelaxed or relaxed? what is the hell does that mean.

Originally Posted by SAump (Post 562318)

Yes, the correct answers have been given a 1/2 dozen times, or more.
What I have been trying to say, put down the book.
The catcher is standing on the plate with the ball, "I'm appealing!"
A) Did he make it up to gain an unfair advantage, or B) is he alert to the actions around him?
In A) I would allow the runner to correct his mistake. In B) I would grant the appeal.
The direction the runner is facing, either scrambling back or headed to, has no bearing on my call.

Who ran past the plate to avoid a tag play?
Had he slid into the plate, there would have been a tag out or a safe ruling.
Had he stayed relatively close to the plate, there would have been a tag out or safe ruling.
Yes, I would use the dirt area around the plate in my criteria for granting an appeal too.

Originally Posted by SAump (Post 562318)

Who ran past the plate to avoid a tag play?
Had he slid into the plate, there would have been a tag out or a safe ruling.
Had he stayed relatively close to the plate, there would have been a tag out or safe ruling.
Yes, I would use the dirt area around the plate in my criteria for granting an appeal too.

Originally Posted by SAump (Post 562318)

Yes, I would use the dirt area around the plate in my criteria for granting an appeal too.