ouch!!

[Chris_Hickman]

YouTube - Be The Umpire!

I know that baseball is a contact sport, but......

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by Chris_Hickman

YouTube - Be The Umpire!

I know that baseball is a contact sport, but......

Appears to be malicious contact on the defense.

[johnnyg08]

interesting that the umps are still there to watch them shake hands...game's over...outta here!

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

interesting that the umps are still there to watch them shake hands . .

Normal at our place.

[SanDiegoSteve]

They don't even shake hands around here anymore. Too many brawls over the years. We definitely don't stick around to observe it. The teams are free to kick the crap out of each other, the umpires leave when the game is over. Toss the baseballs toward the home dugout and walk.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Normal at our place.

Interesting...is there a reason? Or is it something you've always done?

[rpumpire]

In Massachusetts, it's now mandatory for umpires to remain on the field to observe the handshakes.

If there's a good reason not to remain for the handshakes (contentious calls, etc.) the umpires have to fill out a form and send it to the state board.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Interesting...is there a reason? Or is it something you've always done?

We've always done it - not as observers - they congratulate the kids too. The coaches thank them for umpiring.

The umpires are part of the league, not a foreign legion. They know many of the kids. For most of them, it's a way to stay involved after their own kids graduate.

Those who think their objective is to umpire and hightail it wouldn't like it here.

And it's a good lesson for all - the game is over - get on with it.

We think we're doing it the right way.

[DG]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

Appears to be malicious contact on the defense.

Agreed, unnecessary hard tag to the face.

[GA Umpire]

I think if anyone gets tossed, it is both players. The runner clearly puts his arms up to his chest to protect himself just like the pitcher. So, both are at fault for contact. The pitcher won.

The runner could have easily just stopped or stayed in foul territory to avoid the pitcher. It looked to me like he went toward the pitcher with the hope of putting up his arms up and knocking the ball loose. He initiated all of the contact.

It was a hard tag but watch the pitcher. He turns to look at the other runner(s) immediately. There was no stare down or any other looks. All the looks came from the beaten runner.

I say no ejection and no reference to the play except get the runner off the field. If he goes after the pitcher, eject him.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

The runner clearly puts his arms up to his chest to protect himself just like the pitcher. So, both are at fault for contact. The pitcher won.

Your position is that the BR is equally at fault for trying to protect himself? What's next? You keep a batter at the plate when he turns to protect his face from an inside pitch that hits him in the back?

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

The runner could have easily just stopped or stayed in foul territory to avoid the pitcher. It looked to me like he went toward the pitcher with the hope of putting up his arms up and knocking the ball loose. He initiated all of the contact.

To me, the batter was protecting himself. Before the tag, the batter does slow down in what looks like an effort to stop and give himself up to the tag.

However, I agree that the BR's post-actions are questionable. He shouldn't have walked toward the pitcher AT ALL.

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by yawetag

Your position is that the BR is equally at fault for trying to protect himself?

Yes, he is equally at fault for the contact. He and the pitcher both put up their arms just before contact. You can see the runner's arms come out as well but the pitcher got the better of it.

Originally Posted by yawetag

What's next? You keep a batter at the plate when he turns to protect his face from an inside pitch that hits him in the back?

Talk about being extreme and missing a point.

Originally Posted by yawetag

To me, the batter was protecting himself. Before the tag, the batter does slow down in what looks like an effort to stop and give himself up to the tag.

So was the pitcher. They both were protecting themselves before contact.