![]() |
Baseball question from a football/basketball ref.
Hello, my baseball brethren!!!
Was at the ballpark last night watching my local minor league baseball team. Here's the scenario- Home up 4-0, 7th inning, very smooth game. Home team starting pitcher was pitching a masterful game, one hitter at that point. Anyway, one of his pitches got away from him, and went a few inches behind the batter. Clearly did not hit the batter- nothing untoward had happened in the game. The homeplate ump awarded the batter first base. The batter actually argued just a bit, saying the pitch didn't hit him, and he want to stay in the box. The ump insisted he take first base. My question is, is first base awarded automatically for pitches that go behind the batter, regardless of the scenario? Thanks!!! |
Quote:
The umpire must have judged it hit him (or it was ball 4). |
Quote:
|
It is not uncommon for a pitch to barely touch the uniform and the batter not feel it or wishes to get a chance to swing the bat. Any touch of the person or uniform is a HBP.
|
I was doing some college wood bat this summer and the the count was 3 and 0. The batter stepped out of the box and asked me to open up the zone. I said OK. Next pitch was high and I called it a strike. The 3 and 1 pitch was higher and I call ball 4. He looks at me and I tell him sorry no way that I can call that a strike. A first for me a batter complaining about balls.:D
|
Gordon, don't tell his coach.
|
Here's my question for a basketball ref:
Why do you let coaches yell at you from point blank range? On a baseball field, I'd eject those same coaches within the first few minutes of most basketball games. The first "you" that came flying out of their mouths would get them a trip to the showers, yet BB guys take it all game long. Why? |
Quote:
I don't work NCAA, but I gather that the powers that be want head coaches, especially in televised D1 games, to remain on the floor. So officials have to listen to them. Perhaps that's what you're thinking of? |
Quote:
Peace |
Quote:
|
Maybe it's just the local HS guys. Honestly, nobody, NOBODY would yell at me like these guys get away with. If you wouldn't take in line at the Costco, why would allow it when you're supposed be in charge?
I'd be a lousey BB ref becuase there wouldn't be local coach after 10 minutes on most games. |
Quote:
Peace |
I don't take a sport official, of any sport, mentality with me. If you have something to say, say it in a reasonable fashion. I'm just a guy, doin' a job. Don't do anything to me that you wouldn't expect in return. And don't talk to me on a baseball diamond in a way that you wouldn't in a grocery store.
And I'm not the ejecting sort in baseball. Once every three or four years. I just don't let it get to that point. Which is why it mystifies me that other officials allow themselves to be hollered at for the duration of a game. Actually, I enjoy watching basketball with my baseball pals. They always look to me when some loudmouth coach starts at it. I'll make an ejection motion from the bleachers, just for a laugh. And usually within the first two minutes of a game. Honestly zebras, it's time to man up. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
If a coach does start "yelling", then we have several options on how to deal with them, whereas in baseball, your hands are tied, you only have one option. Many things have helped basketball, mainly the "coaching box" rules which require the coach to stay confined etc., Thanks David |
Quote:
Quote:
Peace |
HS Varsity, JC and D1.
You'll see coaches just rail at officials from either four feet away, or across the court. It's not an ego thing, just common courtesy. The level of #@$ taken in other sports is far beyond that of what we deem acceptable on the diamond. I mean, we dump on the first blathering of "...YOU....", whereas other officials just act like they don't even hear it. I just find it odd. Maybe it's a baseball thing, and we've got it all wrong. You see far more ejections in baseball than all other sports. So why is that? |
Quote:
Tim. |
Quote:
Quote:
And which is why I said that mentality often does not survive in other sports. Because to me it is a cop out to always eject someone. If you cannot think of something to say or to take over the discussion, then that says a lot. Even in baseball I know how to control the discussion with a coach and get them to do what I want without ejecting them. Also most baseball discussions take place with play stopped. Basketball play is going on continuously. Again, different sport different expectations. Quote:
Peace |
This was alluded to, but not focused on.
The main reason there is such a difference here is that in basketball there is a known intermediate step between nothing and ejection - the technical foul. An actual penalty that hurts the team, but keeps the coach in the game. In baseball and softball, at best you have the warning, which really holds nothing. In basketball, a coach might risk the intermediate step on purpose to rile up his team - the technical foul is PART OF the game. I can't tell you how often I've wished for a T in baseball or softball. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
You'd actually bring out a tee, and let a batter hit off of it. That would be a great penalty. |
Quote:
Peace |
Quote:
But what do you do when the offense complains? Thanks David |
Quote:
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:41pm. |