Covering base with dirt

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Yeah, well Evans must have forgotten what it's like to umpire on fields with tons of loose dirt that completely obliterates the bases.

Again, the humor just escapes you.

He was JOKING. He wasn't serious. He was playing to his audience.

Wow.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Ump153

Again, the humor just escapes you.

He was JOKING. He wasn't serious. He was playing to his audience.

Wow.

Then why is there any discussion of whether or not to clean the bases? We should make sure they are visible and clean. Humor does not escape me, it just wasn't that funny. Wow yourself.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Then why is there any discussion of whether or not to clean the bases? We should make sure they are visible and clean. Humor does not escape me, it just wasn't that funny. Wow yourself.

If the participants want them clean, then they can clean them. I don't (unless I'm using it as an opportunity to talk quietly the the runner and / or nearest fielders). And, that philosophy pre-dates any knowledge of Evans' opinion on this.

[Kleff]

Hey guys, the current league I'm involved with has a serious dust and loose dirt issue. The bases are'nt exactly totally white when we start I would say antique white would be a little closer. The bases are the 3". But an off white base, loose dirt and a kid with a plan was the probelm! I just wonder in rule 2.00 would this be technically be considered obstruction? In my situation the other night I said that to the middle infield just to stop them from doing it, I just don't know If I could really call it.

Mike

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

If the participants want them clean, then they can clean them. I don't (unless I'm using it as an opportunity to talk quietly the the runner and / or nearest fielders). And, that philosophy pre-dates any knowledge of Evans' opinion on this.

Me too, me too.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Then why is there any discussion of whether or not to clean the bases? We should make sure they are visible and clean. Humor does not escape me, it just wasn't that funny. Wow yourself.

You still don't get it.

"Why would you want to do that?" (serious)

"If nobody can see the base, they can't really argue with your safe/out calls!" (joke)

There is a discussion becuase some here apparently think they are responsible for groundskeeping, or they are confused with softball.

Umpires are not groundskeepers. Read Bob's post.

[Kleff]

I don't know how serious the thread is, but it did happen! I have never had this happen before or have ever even heard of it happening before. Just wanting a little input on whether or not you could rule obstruction or not? I'm guessing not based on the actual obstruction rule. Just something weird hopefully a one time thing

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Kleff

I don't know how serious the thread is, but it did happen! I have never had this happen before or have ever even heard of it happening before. Just wanting a little input on whether or not you could rule obstruction or not? I'm guessing not based on the actual obstruction rule. Just something weird hopefully a one time thing

I think you should call OBS the very next time you see it, and report back to us how that went.

[ozzy6900]

This is getting ridiculous. Now we are making up rules and using the moronic rule 9.01(c) to make it all right!

Why are you all trying to eject, or call obstruction? Just call the runner safe no matter what! When the DC comes out, you can quietly discuss what his players are doing and that if you cannot see the base, you cannot render anything but a safe call.

Better yet, stop officiating on the kiddie fields!

[tballump]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Just call the runner safe no matter what!

And when the defense goes to bat and that bag is still covered, they better step right in the middle of the bag and knock the dirt off on the way by, or they are "out" for not touching the bag.

[justanotherblue]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

This is getting ridiculous. Now we are making up rules and using the moronic rule 9.01(c) to make it all right!

Why are you all trying to eject, or call obstruction? Just call the runner safe no matter what! When the DC comes out, you can quietly discuss what his players are doing and that if you cannot see the base, you cannot render anything but a safe call.

Better yet, stop officiating on the kiddie fields!

Which is probably being taught to the kids BY the coach. Just as a good pitching coach will teach his pitcher's, especially lefty's how to balk in hopes you as an umpire don't know or recognize the move as a balk. Treat it as a vicinity play just as the rule book says for a dislodged base.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Ump153

You still don't get it.

"Why would you want to do that?" (serious)

"If nobody can see the base, they can't really argue with your safe/out calls!" (joke)

There is a discussion becuase some here apparently think they are responsible for groundskeeping, or they are confused with softball.

Umpires are not groundskeepers. Read Bob's post.

I didn't ever say we were responsible for groundskeeping. Read my post. I said that in the pros, the bases are kept clean. In our games, there are no groundskeepers. I guess nobody here has to umpire in some of the sandpits I see here on a weekly bases, but trust me, we work without foul lines or any sort of field maintenance, so the bases get OBLITERATED, not just a little dusty. I will kick the dirt out from in front of second base after a runner packs a ton of dirt up against the edge. I do this after granting the runner time to brush the ton of dirt that got all over him when he slid.

That is all.

[Kleff]

I agree with SandiegoSteve some of these fields are sandy/dusty just not the best baseball conditions. As far as foul lines go I constantly work with out them,when they do decide to put them down after their done you wish they had not! Fans may see chalk fly but the ball may still be a foot foul. Makes a thankless job even harder

Mike

[Kleff]

I'm probably going to get reemed for this one but here goes. Since covering a base with dirt is technicaly not obstruction because of lack of physical contact and I'm sure covering a base with dirt to confuse base runners is not covered in any rule book. I still have to believe that is still somewhat illegal. Could you call obstruction then attempt back it up with 9.01 (c)??????

Mike

[RPatrino]

Kleff, no. In the case of players purposely covering a base with dirt, order them to stop. If they don't, eject them. Simple solution.