missed 1st base mechanic

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by mroyal

FED Umpire Manual (pg 35) "...When an umpire observes a base running error, he should make no verbal or non-verbal statement that could tip either team." (I think someone mentioned that already, but it was a good starting point.)

By not signaling you're giving the defense a clue that something is amiss. This is exactly what the manual is asking you not to do.

[mroyal]

Originally Posted by waltjp

By not signaling you're giving the defense a clue that something is amiss. This is exactly what the manual is asking you not to do.

I'm doing exactly what the manual says to do - "...make no verbal or non-verbal statement..." I'm not doing anything with my hands, I'm not saying "safe" or "out." How is that doing anything? By raising my hands and/or saying "safe," am I not making a "verbal or non-verbal statement?"

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by mroyal

I'm doing exactly what the manual says to do - "...make no verbal or non-verbal statement..." I'm not doing anything with my hands, I'm not saying "safe" or "out." How is that doing anything? By raising my hands and/or saying "safe," am I not making a "verbal or non-verbal statement?"

You're only reading half of the statement and leaving out the key part, "that could tip either team."

If a runner beats a throw to a base but misses the base he's assumed to have touched it. It's incumbent on the defense to appeal the missed base. By not signaling 'safe' you're telling the defense that something is wrong. This is a huge signal to the defense and exactly what the FED manual wants to avoid.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by waltjp

If a runner beats a throw to a base but misses the base he's assumed to have touched it.

FED 8-3-8: "A runner acquires the right to the proper unoccupied base if he touches it before he is out."

I don't see anything about assuming he touched it if he passes over it.

FWIW, I've learned from here to call it like others have been taught, but I don't agree with it.

[SAump]

How did this thread turn into a poll? The umpires on this board would not waste their time discussing this mechanic unless they were absolutely sure about it. I believe these missed base mechanics are also stated in the BRD and J/R's 100 Knotty Problems.

Some important things to note about a missed base and its proper appeal.
1) One mechanic aplies to 1B.
2) A different mechanic exists for HP.
3) 2B or 3B situations must also be recognized (treated differently than 1B and HP).
4) Read MLB, J/R, and BRD caseplays for understanding of missed base mechanics.
5) Read older threads on this website for similar explanations taken directly from JEA.
Search revealed a) Mechanics At First Base, b) Mechanics Question
6) Venture into similar discusions on other umpire boards {eteamz, abua, nfhs and eumpire}.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by yawetag

FED 8-3-8: "A runner acquires the right to the proper unoccupied base if he touches it before he is out."

I don't see anything about assuming he touched it if he passes over it.

FWIW, I've learned from here to call it like others have been taught, but I don't agree with it.

Don't agree? Well, if R1 misses 2B on a safe single and goes to 3B, and if the defense fails to appeal, what are you going to call? "He missed 2B, he's out!"

I don't think so. You don't "assume" he touched 2B, you treat him as if he did until his infraction is properly appealed. Doing so is the basis of every rule about missed-base appeals.