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inadvertant base on balls
Count is 2 2 with bases loaded. Pitcher pitches next pitch and PU awards batter 1st base thinking it is ball 4. Meanwhile runner on 3rd advances home and scores as well as other runners to next base. Coach calls time and has conference with PU explaining that it was only a full count. FU comes in and adds his 2 cents. He makes batter come back to bat and awards the runner on 3rd home and other runners to next base. He says that runners can advance on live ball regardless if error is caused by the umpires...... Is he right?????
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Technically the BU is correct. It is no different than stealing the base. However, since it was the PU's mistake that advanced the runners, I would personally reset everybody with a 3-2 count. |
The Umpire is always right.
Except when he makes a mistake. Like forgetting the count. Or worse, applying a rule when it doesn't apply. I don't think you're going to find a rule to cover this situation, because the rules assume that the umpires are inhumanly perfect. If the umpire called Ball Four and/or indicated (by pointing to 1B or whatever errant signal) the award of 1B, then the defense was told that they couldn't make a play on the advancing runners and the fact that the ball was live is irrelevant until they reached the awarded base. You just gotta' put them back. |
Think of it this way. You're the umpire in this sitch and BR heads to first after you tell her to - the rest of the runners advance - because you essentially told them to. And F2 inadvertently tags R1 before she crosses the plate. Are you going to rule her out once you fix the count? Of course not - and coaches would crucify you if you did.
Awarding the stolen base is equally wrong. And you can explain it to the offensive coach that way if you need to. Calling ball 4 erroneously put BOTH sides in jeopardy - erase the jeopardy and put the runners back. Now ... an aside. What exactly did the umpire do to prompt the batter to go to first? Point? (Yuck). "Take your base." (Equally yuck). |
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I haven't done that, but I have seen it...this past Sunday in fact. If I hadn't been busy eating a dozen donuts I might have puked. |
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"Ball, ball, ball, Ball four." If they stop and look at me I'll repeat, "Ball four."
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Just say BALL if possible. Let the rest work itself out. You'll find that you almost never have to do anything more ... and you'll NEVER find yourself as PU in the OP. |
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I just say ball. The rest is the coaches job. Of course, ball four is the only one where I stand up, take my mask off, and step around from behind the catcher, so that should be a big clue to everyone. |
Well, considering I only call ASA SP, "ball four" isn't that big of an issue. Worst thing that can happen is they get totally confused and walk to the dugout. Then, I've got an out. :cool:
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