check swing appeal - what a mess......

[Durham]

Originally Posted by gslefeb

Change the play just a bit.

1-2 count - Batter checks swing, PU yells "ball - no swing"; ball goes all the way to the backstop, clearly the BR would have made it safely to first but does not run. Catcher retrieves ball and asks PU to get help. BU says the Batter swung. What happens?

Does the PU have to ask for help?

The batter would be out.

This is why the mechanic is taught in pro ball that any time there is a check swing with 2 strikes and 1st unoccupied with less than 2 or it occupied with 2 out that the PU should immediatly without being asked.

IMO it is good to get in the habbit of going to a partner on one that you get blocked out on or that is down and away and you see a flash, but not enough because your eyes were tracking the ball.

[Kevin Finnerty]

There is no right??

On this play, JohnnyG 08 is right and Durham is right. So there's two rights right there.

[jicecone]

Wait a minute here. I am in Pete's corner here.

Some of you are so intent in teaching everyone the pro-mechanic, you are missing the fact the the PU ANNOUNCED, "No he didn't go." Not one of you have stated that the pro mechanic says you are to step up and over rule your partner after he has clearly made his decision. The end result was correct for this situation.

I do not know the correct Pro mechanic and if your telling me that the BU is to step up and quickly over rule an announced decision by his partner, well your just going to have a big sht house anyway. And no I am not condoning a mirrored call.

I understand and agree what should be done, but is it applicable for this situation, because gentlemen that is what we are discussing here. What happened, not what should of happened.

So, is the mechanic applicable for what happen here or not?

[ozzy6900]

This is why in my pre-game, I inform my partner that on an "anything and 2", if there is a checked swing and a passed ball, if there is a question, I will go to my partner without being asked. If I am the BU, I will give the PU a moment, if he does not come to me and he has not signaled a strike, I will give the call without being asked.

Both sides need to know the status of the ball and of the swing. Leaving it all to chance is very bad for the players and, as in this scenario, bad for the umpires.

[DG]

Originally Posted by newump

1. PU should have immediately asked for help if he thought it was close.
2. U1 should have offered his help immediately without waiting for an appeal.
if he thought the batter swung.

That's enough said right there, except in 1. PU should have immediatly asked... period.

Do this and you don't have to worry about how to fix the screwup..

[Nigel Tufnel]

Originally Posted by newump

1-2 count. no one on base. next pitch is a curve ball in the dirt. Batter takes a half swing. ump says "ball, no he didn't" ball rolls away from catcher towards the backstop. BR pauses for a split second and then upon seeing the ball rolling away takes off for 1st. no request for help is made by the defense. catcher quickly retrieves the ball, but BR is already standing on first w/o a throw. PU then beckons BR back to the box as the pitch was ruled a ball and now the count is 2-2. BR comes back to the box. then the defense team requests that PU get help. PU askes U1 if the batter swung at the pitch. U1 rules that he did swing. Catcher then throws the ball down to first. U1 gives an out signal. BR is still at the home plate area. Umps then send BR back to first as he had already reached first safely and was then put in jeopardy when he was brought back to the box by PU.

this was ncaa D1 conference game.

1. PU should have immediately asked for help if he thought it was close.
2. U1 should have offered his help immediately without waiting for an appeal.
if he thought the batter swung.
3. U1 should have said no swing once they reached that point (regardless of what he thought - just to avoid this mess)
but these things did not happen.
what would you guys have done?? could you call BR out ? would you not allow the appeal at that late time?? or did they do the right thing once they were faced with this scenerio
thoughts??

To avoid anything further, as plate ump you have the ability to call "time" when the br is on first base - check with your bu before you "beckon" the runner back to the box...