Top Baseball/Softball Rules Myths, 2012 Edition

[aceholleran]

#3 The batter cannot be called out for interference if he/she is in the batter’s box. FALSE. If the batter has reasonable time to vacate the batter’s box, he/she must do so or risk interference being called.

I think the explanation is a little cloudy. In a sitch where R3 is stealing home, B1 MUST NOT interfere with the play. I have never seen any rule that mentions "reasonable time."

Ace in CT

[SanDiegoSteve]

Is this list MECE? Looks pretty complete to me.

[kylejt]

#36 The home plate umpire can overrule the other umpires at anytime. FALSE. No umpire (including the home plate umpire or umpire-in-chief) has the authority to set aside or question decisions made by another umpire within the limits of the respective duties as outlined in the rules. An umpire may request help from another umpire in a decision, but ultimately it is the requesting umpire who will make the final decision.

Unless the home plate umpire is the UIC for the game, a protest is lodged, and the crew can not agree on a ruling. THEN the UIC can make the ruling, and in effect, overrule the others.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by kylejt

#36 The home plate umpire can overrule the other umpires at anytime. FALSE. No umpire (including the home plate umpire or umpire-in-chief) has the authority to set aside or question decisions made by another umpire within the limits of the respective duties as outlined in the rules. An umpire may request help from another umpire in a decision, but ultimately it is the requesting umpire who will make the final decision.

Unless the home plate umpire is the UIC for the game, a protest is lodged, and the crew can not agree on a ruling. THEN the UIC can make the ruling, and in effect, overrule the others.

Your are likely correct with games at the pro level or maybe in other states. Around here at the amateur level, the only protests allowed are rule violations. Myth #36 is meant to correct those who believe the plate umpire has final decision on all calls and can overrule a field umpire without being asked for his opinion on the play. I think this part:

"...as outlined by the rules..."

...has me covered on this one.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by kylejt

#36 The home plate umpire can overrule the other umpires at anytime. FALSE. No umpire (including the home plate umpire or umpire-in-chief) has the authority to set aside or question decisions made by another umpire within the limits of the respective duties as outlined in the rules. An umpire may request help from another umpire in a decision, but ultimately it is the requesting umpire who will make the final decision.

Unless the home plate umpire is the UIC for the game, a protest is lodged, and the crew can not agree on a ruling. THEN the UIC can make the ruling, and in effect, overrule the others.

Your are likely correct with games at the pro level or maybe in other states. Around here at the amateur level, the only protests allowed are rule violations. Myth #36 is meant to correct those who believe the plate umpire has final decision on all calls and can overrule a field umpire without being asked for his opinion on the play.

[teccan9nja]

I would like to clarify: the "1+1" rule isn't a MYTH its a way to describe the rule to people in an easy way. Because for most to all of the times the ball goes out of play, you are giving them the base they're going to and the next one (1+1).

Its more a "description of thumb" than a myth.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by teccan9nja

I would like to clarify: the "1+1" rule isn't a MYTH its a way to describe the rule to people in an easy way. Because for most to all of the times the ball goes out of play, you are giving them the base they're going to and the next one (1+1).

Its more a "description of thumb" than a myth.

It's a myth which brings coaches out of the dugout on plays like this:

PLAY: R1, 1 out. Line drive to F6. R1 is trying to return to first to avoid being doubled up, F6's throw ends up over the fence. Place the runner.

An umpire using 1+1 either doesn't understand the rules or is perpetuating the notion of 1+1 with coaches, neither of which is good.

[teccan9nja]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

It's a myth which brings coaches out of the dugout on plays like this:

PLAY: R1, 1 out. Line drive to F6. R1 is trying to return to first to avoid being doubled up, F6's throw ends up over the fence. Place the runner.

An umpire using 1+1 either doesn't understand the rules or is perpetuating the notion of 1+1 with coaches, neither of which is good.

Yes. But it still does tell people what the rule does pretty well.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by sandiegosteve

is this list mece? Looks pretty complete to me.

mece?

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

#3 The batter cannot be called out for interference if he/she is in the batter’s box. FALSE. If the batter has reasonable time to vacate the batter’s box, he/she must do so or risk interference being called.

I think the explanation is a little cloudy. In a sitch where R3 is stealing home, B1 MUST NOT interfere with the play. I have never seen any rule that mentions "reasonable time."

Ace in CT

Good point. The actual wording in the FED book is reasonable "effort". Regardless, it will be a judgment call.