What's the call?

[RKBUmp]

You can explain the rule all you want, until you actually enforce it coaches will do nothing to correct the problem. I have been on both sides of the issue, umpired a rec league for 5-6 years, and then assisted coaching a team in the same league. It drove me absolutely nuts to watch things happen and not be called "because the kids are learning". They will not learn and neither will the coaches unless the rules are actually enforced.

Prime example I have given numerous times. Rec league I worked had the same dont call illegal pitches rule, just inform the coach to correct the problem. Told coaches for 4 years one of the girls was illegal and they needed to fix it. All I ever got was ya, ya, ya, we will fix it. Guess what, the girl got into high school and could never pitch a game because no one ever fixed her illegal motion in rec league.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

You can explain the rule all you want, until you actually enforce it coaches will do nothing to correct the problem. I have been on both sides of the issue, umpired a rec league for 5-6 years, and then assisted coaching a team in the same league. It drove me absolutely nuts to watch things happen and not be called "because the kids are learning". They will not learn and neither will the coaches unless the rules are actually enforced..

If that is their attitude, they need coaches, not umpires.

When I first started umpiring (baseball), it was an 8-team league. There was no association and everything was in-house. Used same rules as major leagues except for a few modifications which addressed distances and sportsmanship. All teams had scheduled use of the local fields for practice.

I was one of league's umpires (three of us) who made it point to attend at least one practice of every team to talk to the coaches about any rule changes and point out anything I noticed a player doing that could become an issue during a game. All, but one coach appreciated the help. That one coach was a semi-pro player who told me to leave his team alone (mind you, I never talked to the players), that he knew all the rules and we had better be on my toes.

Want to guess which team had more balks, interference and obstruction calls during the season? Want to guess which coach was the only one ejected all season?

If a league wants the umpire's input to help the kids learn, I've always believed this is how that should happen, not on the field during live games where they are playing for position.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Altor

...It won't take that much away from your 2 hour time limit.

a) "Out."
b) Arm out for obstruction. "Dead ball. Obstruction on the short stop. Runner is safe."

About a 2 sec difference. That WILL add up!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Dakota

a) "Out."
b) Arm out for obstruction. "Dead ball. Obstruction on the short stop. Runner is safe."

About a 2 sec difference. That WILL add up!

While I don't agree at all with Altor (our motivation should be calling the game correctly. Getting done faster should never be a priority over that) ... in his defense --- not getting the out on this play will lengthen the inning more than 2 seconds.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

While I don't agree at all with Altor (our motivation should be calling the game correctly. Getting done faster should never be a priority over that) ... in his defense --- not getting the out on this play will lengthen the inning more than 2 seconds.

True... I was joking a bit! (Also, as I read it, Altor was also advocating calling the game correctly.)

[Altor]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

While I don't agree at all with Altor (our motivation should be calling the game correctly. Getting done faster should never be a priority over that)

That was not my motivation. My motivation was to call the obstruction now so it doesn't have to be called "when the games count." I added the part about the time limit because chapmaja said he would only get 1 inning done in 2 hours if he called it every time. My time limit comment is that after you call it once or twice, your chances of having to call it again start diminishing.

[jmkupka]

Originally Posted by Dakota

a) "Out."
b) Arm out for obstruction. "Dead ball. Obstruction on the short stop. Runner is safe."

Semi-hijack:
Exact mechanics here, please... debated extensively in the PONY Nationals ump tent:

Tag is put on an obstructed runner (before reaching etc., etc.,)

"Out! Dead ball, obstruction (at whatever location), runner is protected to (X) base."

or

"Dead ball, obstruction (at whatever location), runner is protected to (X) base."

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Semi-hijack:
Exact mechanics here, please... debated extensively in the PONY Nationals ump tent:

Tag is put on an obstructed runner (before reaching etc., etc.,)

"Out! Dead ball, obstruction (at whatever location), runner is protected to (X) base."

or

"Dead ball, obstruction (at whatever location), runner is protected to (X) base."

"Out", "dead ball", check any other runners position, "runner Y is awarded (X) base because of obstruction by Fx/number".
Award any other runners accordingly.