looking like a fool

[Alaska Ump]

I was working BU a couple of weeks ago and could offer all kinds of excuses, but the fact is I wasn't giving the game the proper attention and paid for it, mostly by humiliation.

Bases empty, batter hits a fairly routine line drive to the outfield. I see the BR heading to first, I see the throw going to second. I zone out and assume the BR will stop at first, and the throw will be caught at or near second. I start heading to get into position for the next batter.

The BR sees an overthrow at second and throttles up to full steam and rounds first. His big problem is that I'm standing smack in the middle of his path. He bowls me over and I get knocked on my back, looking up at the sky.

Moral of the story is obvious -- the play is not over until it's over.

[Ran.D]

Working a 12U fastpitch game, bases loaded, 2 outs. Forget the score, but it was close, late in the game and the team at bat was behind.

Batter swings at the dropped third strike (which passes the catcher) I call batter out, first is occupied.

Realized my mistake immediately, but surprisingly coaches didn't catch the error, so I let the inning end. Saw no way to correct the error that wouldn't make one of the teams go crazy.

Now, regardless of the age group, I simply call strike three. With younger kids, I usually then watch as the batter gets around the bases on errors.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Ran.D

Working a 12U fastpitch game, bases loaded, 2 outs. Forget the score, but it was close, late in the game and the team at bat was behind.

Batter swings at the dropped third strike (which passes the catcher) I call batter out, first is occupied.

Realized my mistake immediately, but surprisingly coaches didn't catch the error, so I let the inning end. Saw no way to correct the error that wouldn't make one of the teams go crazy.

Now, regardless of the age group, I simply call strike three. With younger kids, I usually then watch as the batter gets around the bases on errors.

Two points I want to make.

First, we have all made this mistake, or did a sell strike three on strike two, or similar. It points out that we failed to concentrate and lost track of the situation; happens to anyone who ever called a game. I don't think we should use that to justify not using required mechanics; we should use that to help remind ourselves that we must concentrate and keep the game situation constantly in our mind. Just as the athletes play just like they practice, umpires need to use all games working the mecahnics the same as the big championship game.

Second, I wouldn't have raised the point when it happened, either. But, I would remind the coaches later in the game about that situation, and that the ball was live. The memory of the coaches wouldn't include what mechanic you used, so you could slide over your part; but, failing to make mention puts you in the category of "the other umpire" who told them the BR is out if first is occupied with 2 outs. You leave it for others to pay your penalty if you don't help educate the younger teams.

[Ran.D]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Two points I want to make.

First, we have all made this mistake, or did a sell strike three on strike two, or similar. It points out that we failed to concentrate and lost track of the situation; happens to anyone who ever called a game. I don't think we should use that to justify not using required mechanics; we should use that to help remind ourselves that we must concentrate and keep the game situation constantly in our mind. Just as the athletes play just like they practice, umpires need to use all games working the mecahnics the same as the big championship game.

Second, I wouldn't have raised the point when it happened, either. But, I would remind the coaches later in the game about that situation, and that the ball was live. The memory of the coaches wouldn't include what mechanic you used, so you could slide over your part; but, failing to make mention puts you in the category of "the other umpire" who told them the BR is out if first is occupied with 2 outs. You leave it for others to pay your penalty if you don't help educate the younger teams.

Do mechanics require that the batter be called out on a dropped third strike when the rule applies, or is simply calling strike three sufficient?

I do remind the coaches of younger teams of the "1B occupied and less than 2 outs" rule and encourage them to communicate with their catchers.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Ran.D

Do mechanics require that the batter be called out on a dropped third strike when the rule applies, or is simply calling strike three sufficient?

I do remind the coaches of younger teams of the "1B occupied and less than 2 outs" rule and encourage them to communicate with their catchers.

Require? I will say "Strike Three - batter out" if the situation warrants that. Otherwise, I just call "Strike Three". I then call the batter out when they walk into dead ball territory.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Ran.D

Do mechanics require that the batter be called out on a dropped third strike when the rule applies, or is simply calling strike three sufficient?

I do remind the coaches of younger teams of the "1B occupied and less than 2 outs" rule and encourage them to communicate with their catchers.

It is recommended in ASA that you add "batter is out" whenever that is true by rule. It is STRONGLY recommended in ASA that you add "batter is out" whenever a batter starts to run when out by rule.

The NCAA Umpire Manual says

The umpire needs to make a ruling only if there is a subsequent play, attempted play, or apparent confusion by the offense or defense after the pitch. If the batter is entitled to run, and the umpire judges that the pitch was not caught (and/or has gotten confirmation from a base umpire that it was not caught), and a play is made on the batter-runner, either the plate or first base umpire will rule on the play. If the plate umpire has judged that the pitch was caught (and/or gotten confirmation from a base umpire that it was caught) and the catcher or batter appears unsure and attempts to play, the umpire should say while signaling an out: “Batter is out.”

[streamdoc]

I've got 1 from yesterday.

1) 14U Championship game. I'm on the plate. R1 on 2nd. Groundball hit to shortstop. R1 interferes with the fielder attempting to field the batted ball - partner makes the call. Now we have a runner on 2nd (either a runner that started at first, or the BR - I can't remember, and it really doesn't matter for the purpose of this admission) Now the runner on 2nd is a bit confused due to the call (these are 11 yr olds, playing 12U, playing up to 14U). She's kinda off the bag, on the bag - you can just see the wheels spinning in that little head of hers. The defensive team is yelling "tag her, tag her". I'm watching... watching, yes she's off the bag and the tag is made. I give a big Sell Out on the tag. I'm then reminded by the offesive coach that we had a deadball situtation. I covered it well, by immediately telling the coach that he was right, and joking with the defensive team that they even had my going on that one.

[CecilOne]

The NCAA procedure
"The umpire needs to make a ruling only if there is a subsequent play, attempted play, or apparent confusion by the offense or defense after the pitch. If the batter is entitled to run, and the umpire judges that the pitch was not caught (and/or has gotten confirmation from a base umpire that it was not caught), and a play is made on the batter-runner, either the plate or first base umpire will rule on the play. If the plate umpire has judged that the pitch was caught (and/or gotten confirmation from a base umpire that it was caught) and the catcher or batter appears unsure and attempts to play, the umpire should say while signaling an out: “Batter is out.” "

looks good for any rules. I especially try to do the last sentence, although I usually call the out on any caught third strike or "1st occupied" out.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

The NCAA procedure
"The umpire needs to make a ruling only if there is a subsequent play, attempted play, or apparent confusion by the offense or defense after the pitch. If the batter is entitled to run, and the umpire judges that the pitch was not caught (and/or has gotten confirmation from a base umpire that it was not caught), and a play is made on the batter-runner, either the plate or first base umpire will rule on the play. If the plate umpire has judged that the pitch was caught (and/or gotten confirmation from a base umpire that it was caught) and the catcher or batter appears unsure and attempts to play, the umpire should say while signaling an out: “Batter is out.” "

looks good for any rules. I especially try to do the last sentence, although I usually call the out on any caught third strike or "1st occupied" out.

NCAA says to NOT routinely call the "out" on caught third strike; the contrast in not calling it on a drop is considered tipping the offense to the play. That's why they suggest you only call it when they appear confused.