Would you ask for help?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire questions HP umpire Larry Vanover that the ball hit is batter's foot, he was put out by the 1st basemen, he is asking very nicely. He then asked Vanover if he would ask 3rd base umpire Charlie Reliford for help and Vanover tells him 'NO" and then he throws his hat and goes crazy and gets thrown out of the game. Why do MLB umpires refuse to ask for help from crewmates? Replay shows that the ball did hit his foot and should had been a fould ball. Would you ask the 3rd base umpire for help on this play? I would.

I think this is a rule that should be changed. It's a difficult call to make, is missed (one way or the other) frequently, and no one can hit the ball off their foot intentionally to gain an advantage.

So, I think the rule should be that if the ball goes sharply and directly from the bat to the batter, the ball is in play the same as if it hadn't hit the batter (that is, it becomes fair or foul depending on what happens next), except the ball is no longer in flight.

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I think this is a rule that should be changed. It's a difficult call to make, is missed (one way or the other) frequently, and no one can hit the ball off their foot intentionally to gain an advantage.

So, I think the rule should be that if the ball goes sharply and directly from the bat to the batter, the ball is in play the same as if it hadn't hit the batter (that is, it becomes fair or foul depending on what happens next), except the ball is no longer in flight.

That would be a brutal rule. Batter breaks his leg after the ball hit him and now is out at 1B.

That would be nothing but trouble. But, speeds up the game b/c the catcher just has to tag the runner now. No need to throw it. And, imagine how many more DPs would occur b/c the catcher would just tag HP and tag the runner who is lying on the ground in pain next to him.

[johnnyg08]

There's lots of easy outs in baseball.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Rules are based on fairness, mostly.

It's unfair to make a temporarily disabled man be a runner. Take one off the foot and you're temporarily disabled.

[mbyron]

So don't hit it off your foot. :shrug:

Seems akin to a let in tennis.

[David B]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

That would be a brutal rule. Batter breaks his leg after the ball hit him and now is out at 1B.

That would be nothing but trouble. But, speeds up the game b/c the catcher just has to tag the runner now. No need to throw it. And, imagine how many more DPs would occur b/c the catcher would just tag HP and tag the runner who is lying on the ground in pain next to him.

As I tell my teen age daughter, a little extreme. (tongue in cheek here now), I see lots of players laying on the ground after a batted ball hits them ...

Thanks
David

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by David B

As I tell my teen age daughter, a little extreme. (tongue in cheek here now), I see lots of players laying on the ground after a batted ball hits them ...

Thanks
David

You say extreme. An MLB player hit a ball off his shin or foot and fractured it several years ago. He was out for the rest of the year I believe. I can't remember his name but he was a former Braves player and went to the Indians I believe and that is where he did it. I can picture the face but not the name.

So, instead of applying it completely, it would have to be circumstantial. Who is faking and who is not? It would be a tough call.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

You say extreme. An MLB player hit a ball off his shin or foot and fractured it several years ago. He was out for the rest of the year I believe. I can't remember his name but he was a former Braves player and went to the Indians I believe and that is where he did it. I can picture the face but not the name.

Are you thinking of David Justice, by chance? He separated his shoulder at the beginning of his last season with Atlanta, then was traded to Cleveland along with Marquis Grissom.

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Are you thinking of David Justice, by chance? He separated his shoulder at the beginning of his last season with Atlanta, then was traded to Cleveland along with Marquis Grissom.

No. After going through some old rosters, it was Jermaine Dye. He hit one off the inside of his leg/foot and fractured/broke something. He went down fast.

[David B]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

No. After going through some old rosters, it was Jermaine Dye. He hit one off the inside of his leg/foot and fractured/broke something. He went down fast.

Come to think of it, Justice "went down fast" also after he left the Braves ...

Thanks
David

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by GA Umpire

No. After going through some old rosters, it was Jermaine Dye. He hit one off the inside of his leg/foot and fractured/broke something. He went down fast.

He did it in the playoffs while playing for the A's, I believe.