Which rules do you enforce

[MajorDave]

set of rules the call was incorrect based upon my research. I went to web and found NIAA official's site and looked at the state rules. Nevada calls them regulations. Nothing in there to prohibit a touching of a runner on a dead ball. I then spent an hour (slow wet Saturday morning) reading through my FED rules book, casebook and umpires book. There is nothing in any of those three books to prohibit the high five of a player on a homerun trot before he touches home plate. I seem to remember in an old FED casebook from sometime in the last three years that there was a case stating that this was not assistance and umpires were instructed not to call players out for this. Additionally, on a home run the ball is dead thus no prohibition on players out of the dugout. Even if there was the penalty is to first warn then eject and that is for the offending players not the batter-runner.

In summary, this umpire got this very wrong unless there is a secret hidden rule in Nevada that we are not privy to. Sort of a rule myth that a championship series umpire screwed up. I would not have called that, ever.

OOO? I think so. I am still annoyed by this ruling for some reason. I also think that the stupid coach, unless there is some secret rule for Nevada, goofed up too by not protesting the ruling and the game in a timely manner.

My two cents or so, your mileage and analysis may vary.

[Ump153]

This isn't a case of selecting which rules to enforce. This is a case of not knowing the rules, by almost everyone involved...the umpires, coaches, and reporters.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I believe it was an old myth that you couldn't touch the home run hitter until he touched the plate. I remember youth ball teams would always yell at each other, "dont' touch him...dont' touch him!" while lining up at the plate to congratulate their hero. I always thought to myself, "why not?" I certainly would not call someone out for such a petty BS call like that.

This is truly an example of an umpire wanting to inject himself into the game, as if it weren't enough to be a participant in an official capacity.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I believe it was an old myth that you couldn't touch the home run hitter until he touched the plate. I remember youth ball teams would always yell at each other, "dont' touch him...dont' touch him!" while lining up at the plate to congratulate their hero. I always thought to myself, "why not?" I certainly would not call someone out for such a petty BS call like that.

This is truly an example of an umpire wanting to inject himself into the game, as if it weren't enough to be a participant in an official capacity.

It was an old NCAA rule (I think softball had this also also) designed to keep the players from lining up down the 3rd base line to congratulate the HR hitter. The schools claimed that this action was intimidating because the offensive players were taunting F1 & F2 during this congratulatory action. Over the years, it was quietly removed but the whole mess filtered down to the lower schools and leagues.

The main thing is to keep the plate clear so we can see the runners & BR touch the plate, just in case the defense wants to make an appeal.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I believe it was an old myth that you couldn't touch the home run hitter until he touched the plate. I remember youth ball teams would always yell at each other, "dont' touch him...dont' touch him!" while lining up at the plate to congratulate their hero. I always thought to myself, "why not?" I certainly would not call someone out for such a petty BS call like that.

This is truly an example of an umpire wanting to inject himself into the game, as if it weren't enough to be a participant in an official capacity.

When I have a ton of people out to celebrate, I proactively get in there and say simply "Let him touch. Let him touch." Would I do anything if they mobbed him before he touched? No. Am I trying to avoid a near-certain poopstorm? Yes.

[johnnyg08]

How many of you wait to give the pitcher the ball until the batter/runner crosses home plate? Sometimes I wait, sometimes I don't. What is your rationale for doing so? The PBUC and MLBUM says to wait until the runner crosses home plate before giving the pitcher a new ball.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

How many of you wait to give the pitcher the ball until the batter/runner crosses home plate? Sometimes I wait, sometimes I don't. What is your rationale for doing so? The rulebook says to wait until the runner crosses home plate before giving the pitcher a new ball.

Not me. If the pitcher is looking, I'll throw him a ball while the BU takes the BR around. If the pitcher isn't looking, I'll hand one to the catcher.

[Dave Reed]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

How many of you wait to give the pitcher the ball until the batter/runner crosses home plate? Sometimes I wait, sometimes I don't. What is your rationale for doing so? The rulebook says to wait until the runner crosses home plate before giving the pitcher a new ball.

Really? What rule and where?

[johnnyg08]

I think I remember reading it in PBUC. I post it tonight when I have the book to reference.

[tballump]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

How many of you wait to give the pitcher the ball until the batter/runner crosses home plate? Sometimes I wait, sometimes I don't. What is your rationale for doing so? The PBUC and MLBUM says to wait until the runner crosses home plate before giving the pitcher a new ball.

Rumor has it that in the old days, a pitcher was given the ball before batter/runner crossed home plate, the pitcher got PO'd (maybe runner said something) and drilled the runner as he was headed home (or maybe another base). So, PBUC and MBLUM wait.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by tballump

Rumor has it that in the old days, a pitcher was given the ball before batter/runner crossed home plate, the pitcher got PO'd (maybe runner said something) and drilled the runner as he was headed home (or maybe another base). So, PBUC and MBLUM wait.

That is not a rumor, that is the exact reason why the pitcher was not allowed to have a ball until the BR crossed the plate! The rule was penned into the book in the late 1880's because the players were getting rowdy and the fans were leaving the games.

Remember, in the late 1800's, it was not proper to have public altercations in mixed company (ladies & gentlemen). the ladies left the game pretty much and that is when the "on field fighting" started. For the most part, ladies of any respect, would not attend a baseball game from about 1893 on into the 20th Century. Women that did "hang around" or attend games in that era were not "Ladies".