Home plate appeal costs HS Conn team Championship.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

No, I told them how to follow the rules by telling them to how the substitute runner needs to touch the bases legally.

In other words, preventative officiating.

And it was accepted at a level with ex-MLB guys on the field.

If it has its place there, even in limited circumstance, then it must have its place at the high school or college level as well.

That's too bad. Had you simply known the correct rule, you woudln't have had to bother trying to impress or feel good after. If you had an ex-MLB partner who didn't apply that rule then we know why he is an ex.

The ball is dead when it went out of play. He is awarded two bases and most umpires know you have to touch the bases in the correct order, yes, even on awards.

Preventive (spelled correctly) officiating is an oxymoron.

I will relate another issue that arose during Illinois playoffs this year. Another thread told of the matter but details were not present. My partner ejected a player for wearing what the IHSA considers to be jewelry. He claims he issued a warning and then the player stepped into the box with the bracelet on. Fair enough, it was his call and handled by the powers that be. In order to avoid similar problems in the next game, while checking bats and hats I asked the coach to make sure no one was wearing jewelry. It was innocent enough and what many of you consider preventive umpiring. After the game, a number of fellow umpires asked about what had transpired during the series. I relayed the details and had an umpire I truly respect tell me that I crossed the line. He said that it isn't my job to be the jewelry police and by warning them prior to the game I had prevented them from breaking a rule later. He told me to call what I see and not attempt to do what the coach is supposed to do, namely ensure that all players are properly equipped and within the rules of our administration. He was right. I'm simply doing what he did for me - help others understand that old school and innocent communication can be perceived as a violation of our code of responsibility.