how to catch batter being out of batter's box

[NCASAUmp]

Can't speak for FP or MP, but I'll toss my $0.02 in for SP. BuggBob is absolutely correct in that nothing can happen without the ball.

Remember: we're always working in priorities.

As the pitch comes in, my priority at this time is the pitch crossing the plate. I focus on the ball, of course, but keeping the batter's movements in my peripheral. In my peripheral, I can see if they're starting to reposition themselves to try and chase that outside pitch, or if they're going to swing their lead foot out on an inside pitch.

Once they hit the ball, my priorities change. I determine "is this ball going forward? Up? Back? Did the batter miss?" If I determine it's going up or forward, and I might have a split second to look elsewhere, I'll check the batter's feet. If the ball is going back, I've gotta watch for a foul tip. If the ball isn't well-hit, or if it looks like it's going to the sides (and have to worry about it hitting the batter) I focus on what the ball does.

It's difficult to describe what goes through one's mind when calling behind the plate, as there are so many things to focus on: the ball, the batter, the feet, the runners, the fielders, the hot moms. However, I believe if you begin to think in terms of priorities, it will all become clearer. If a coach whines that you missed a batter making contact with their foot out of the box, just tell them, "hey, coach, I couldn't see it, because I had to watch this, or watch that." If they can't accept it, "sorry, coach. Play ball."

Regardless, I've gotta have the entire foot out of the box at the time of contact, and I'm not going to call it if it's only a quarter of an inch or so. It has to be CLEARLY out of the box if I'm going to call it.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

It's difficult to describe what goes through one's mind when calling behind the plate, as there are so many things to focus on: the ball, the batter, the feet, the runners, the fielders, the hot moms. However, I believe if you begin to think in terms of priorities, it will all become clearer. If a coach whines that you missed a batter making contact with their foot out of the box, just tell them, "hey, coach, I couldn't see it, because I had to watch this, or watch that." If they can't accept it, "sorry, coach. Play ball."

No such thing as hot moms in slow pitch...they're hot potential steals!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

BuggBob is absolutely correct in that nothing can happen without the ball

Have you ever seen obstruction without the ball?
Have you ever seen a missed base withouth the ball?
Have you ever had USC without the ball?
Have you ever had runner assistance without the ball?
Have you ever.....

Well, you get the point. Yes, knowing where the ball is and seeing it is usually a must. However, it is not necessary for an umpire to perform their assigned tasks.

I've seen too many umpires hang their hat on the theory that nothing can happen without the ball including an ASA DEPSPVR who gigged an umpire a few years back because he buttonhooked and watched BR touch 1B instead of finding the ball in the outfield (it was 290' away).

The phrase has a place in officiating, but is completely situational.

[reccer]

Coach here.

Can the BU make the call that the batter is out of the box?

[ChampaignBlue]

Originally Posted by reccer

Coach here.

Can the BU make the call that the batter is out of the box?

Umpires work as a team and any umpire can make any calls but as a coordinated team certain calls are made by specific umpires who may ask their teamate for his/her assistance. Some over zealous base umpires may offer their opinion without being asked and that can lead to mistakes and is highly frowned on but not against the rules.

Good example, BU has the batter to third by convention, PU calls him off, "I've got third", error on play and batter heads for home and the BU is already there to make the call at the plate. They are working as a team.

Bad example, BU calls batter out for being out of the box because he sees a foot in front of the plate, only to find out that player wears a size 16 and his heal was touching the line. Bad teamwork leading to a lot of unnecessary confusion.

He can make the call but probably shouldn't unless his partner has specifically asked him to watch for it on certain batters that for whatever reason he can't see their feet.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by ChampaignBlue

Good example, BU has the batter to third by convention, PU calls him off, "I've got third", error on play and batter heads for home and the BU is already there to make the call at the plate. They are working as a team.

Or else they are very confused in their mechanics!

[ChampaignBlue]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Or else they are very confused in their mechanics!

What? You've never called off apartner in a two man on a long ball hit down third? Or do you not cover the plate when you release at 2nd?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by ChampaignBlue

What? You've never called off apartner in a two man on a long ball hit down third? Or do you not cover the plate when you release at 2nd?

In a two man system, the general rule of thumb is the BU NEVER makes a call at home. It is taught this way in all of the clinics, in all of the manuals, and in the recent ASA DVD.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by ChampaignBlue

What? You've never called off apartner in a two man on a long ball hit down third? Or do you not cover the plate when you release at 2nd?

Also, with no runners on, the BU should take the runner all the way to third. If I call them off in this situation, that means that they either a) fell, b) tripped and almost fell causing them to lose several steps, or c) aren't doing their job.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by reccer

Coach here.

Can the BU make the call that the batter is out of the box?

Is it allowable? As has already been mentioned, certainly. Does the BU, from around 70 feet away have the ideal view to make the call? Of course not.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by reccer

Coach here.

Can the BU make the call that the batter is out of the box?

The BU should not make that call unless it was so obvious, the CIA could have picked it up during a satellite passover.

The BU has the pitcher's feet, the pitcher's motion, the baserunner's and possible check swing, batted ball off the batter or ball hit second time. Combine that with only a 2-dimensional view and the BU has no more ability to make that call than the lady selling hot dogs in the concession stand.

[bkbjones]

So this could be apochryphal and is being told about fourth-hand here, but...

Two fine umpires working for an organization not represented by SMSUA. Girls FP. PU is blocked and can't see the batted ball hit the (right handed) batter. She's easily thrown out at first. OC asks PU to get help from BU, who is in C.

They (of course!) don't come together to talk. PU doesn't remove mask, points to his partner, and shouts, "Did you see the ball hit the batter?"

"Yes! AND she was out of the box."

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

So this could be apochryphal and is being told about fourth-hand here, but...

Two fine umpires working for an organization not represented by SMSUA. Girls FP. PU is blocked and can't see the batted ball hit the (right handed) batter. She's easily thrown out at first. OC asks PU to get help from BU, who is in C.

They (of course!) don't come together to talk. PU doesn't remove mask, points to his partner, and shouts, "Did you see the ball hit the batter?"

"Yes! AND she was out of the box."

Sounds like an FYC to me.