Steal of home (Video)

[barkmo]

I saw the Texas Tech vs Texas game yesterday where the Tech batter scored on a straight steal of home.

Sit. R3 , 2 outs, 2 strikes on batter. Pitcher in windup, R3 off with first motion. As he nears plate B stays put (no swing), and catcher comes in front of plate to catch pitch. R3 slides in clearly safe. Question: 1. What if pitch were a strike (pitch in question appeared to be outside. 2. What if batter swings.?

[dash_riprock]

Catcher's interference and a balk. Score the run, put the batter on 1st. Doesn't matter what the pitch would have been and it doesn't matter if the batter swings (unless he puts the ball in play).

[barkmo]

So in this situation if you are HP and the catcher stays put you call ball/strike? But if he comes forward that's when you have CI?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by barkmo

So in this situation if you are HP and the catcher stays put you call ball/strike? But if he comes forward that's when you have CI?

Absolutely.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by barkmo

So in this situation if you are HP and the catcher stays put you call ball/strike? But if he comes forward that's when you have CI?

If the catcher comes forward, how can you call the pitch? It never reached the plate, and the ball has to do that to be ruled either a Ball or Strike.

And I hope the batter doesn't swing in this case, cuz he's liable to clock the catcher in the back!

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by barkmo

I saw the Texas Tech vs Texas game yesterday where the Tech batter scored on a straight steal of home.

Sit. R3 , 2 outs, 2 strikes on batter. Pitcher in windup, R3 off with first motion. As he nears plate B stays put (no swing), and catcher comes in front of plate to catch pitch. R3 slides in clearly safe. Question: 1. What if pitch were a strike (pitch in question appeared to be outside. 2. What if batter swings.?

What was the call in that game? Last year the possibility of calling CI existed in two college games and was no called. I think one was a steal of home and the other was the Vandy triple steal.

[CoachTex]

Originally Posted by umpjim

What was the call in that game? Last year the possibility of calling CI existed in two college games and was no called. I think one was a steal of home and the other was the Vandy triple steal.

Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiCg...ature=youtu.be



Umpire called runner safe and the pitch a ball.

Should have been a balk and award batter 1B for catcher's obstruction.

[dash_riprock]

For sure that will be one of the videos presented at next year's NCAA pre-season clinics.

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

For sure that will be one of the videos presented at next year's NCAA pre-season clinics.

I doubt it. Last years sits were left alone. I think when the runner is safe the NCAA guys leave it alone. Last years calls were argued on another site and since the batter wasn't swinging some big dogs argued against calling CI.

[LRZ]

Originally Posted by umpjim

[snip]since the batter wasn't swinging some big dogs argued against calling CI.

Must be an "old school" thing. Years ago, when I first learned to umpire, I was taught by a Kinnaman School graduate, who said that without contact, you have nothing, so batters were taught to swing (gently, he hoped) and make contact with the catcher.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by umpjim

I doubt it. Last years sits were left alone. I think when the runner is safe the NCAA guys leave it alone. Last years calls were argued on another site and since the batter wasn't swinging some big dogs argued against calling CI.

They're wrong. NCAA interpretation says this is a balk and CI.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

For sure that will be one of the videos presented at next year's NCAA pre-season clinics.

I agree, but likely not for the same reason.

A steal of home to tie up a rivalry game in the ninth generates great excitement, and I'll bet you a buck the NCAA facilitators will focus not on the missed call, but will instead reinforce the need for umpires to keep the players on the bench/warning track during live ball action.

I like how the ball boy ignored the celebration and just took care of his business of getting the plate umpire's supply replenished.