Fair/Foul down 1B line

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by nafxos

Thanks guys. After listening to my partner's explanation last night, I totally get it. I'm just surprised this never came up with any other partners before last night. I'm pretty sure I've called similar balls foul as PU before, and pretty sure I've watched my partners call them foul when I was in A, and it never "felt" like either one of us was stepping on the other's call.

One other question. I worked with one partner this year who wanted the PU to take all fair/foul calls all the time. This eliminated any confusion re: whose call it was in the situation above, and allowed the BU to focus on the runner touching first on a ball into the OF down the 1B line. The only exception would be a "trouble" ball where the BU went into the OF.

Anybody else do it that way? Or see any potential problems (assuming both umpires are on the same page during pre-game)?

I agree with no OF Foul lines it is easier for the PU to line the base up with a point in the OF. Thats the importance of pre-game. but sometimes you just never know.

Had a men's league game yesterday morning (over 40), just money ball. Worked with a partner for first time and tried to go over pre-game but he had over 30 years experience and said it wasn't necessary. OK Batted ball down fist base line stops on line after roll. Fair ball? No he decided to call it foul as soon as it left the bat? R1 advances to second on foul tip. He says it is a foul ball? Ok, I'm not going to try an teach an experienced official that knows it all, lets move on. Sometimes you just have to umpire, even while rolling your eyes.