New rules learned in fall ball

[wadeintothem]

I got the "Is that your rule?" recently...

Bases loaded - ball to F6 - run of the mill INT on R2 - BU db, int.

R1 had crossed the plate and went into the dugout.

Of course, fall ball right now is running about 100F so I'm a little cooked... start to get ready for the next pitch - my little cooked brain synapses click a little... and I realize, hey that runner needs to go back. Call time, put the runner back..

"Are you sure thats the rule?"

"Is that your rule or is that rule in the rule book?"

"Is it a new rule."

The hat trick of most irritating questions.

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

I got the "Is that your rule?" recently...

Bases loaded - ball to F6 - run of the mill INT on R2 - BU db, int.

R1 had crossed the plate and went into the dugout.

Of course, fall ball right now is running about 100F so I'm a little cooked... start to get ready for the next pitch - my little cooked brain synapses click a little... and I realize, hey that runner needs to go back. Call time, put the runner back..

"Are you sure thats the rule?"

"Is that your rule or is that rule in the rule book?"

"Is it a new rule."

The hat trick of most irritating questions.

And they b*#@hed only because it took a run away. That's why you got the irritating questions. I know how this feels, very irritating.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

"Are you sure thats the rule?"

Ahh.....yep!

"Is that your rule or is that rule in the rule book?"

Ahh.....yep!

"Is it a new rule."

Ahh....apparently just for you

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Call time, put the runner back..

"Are you sure thats the rule?"

Here's the answer you really wish you could give:

Coach, you're right; I should have given you an option. The run hasn't scored on the play, but if you would rather take an out for that runner, too, you don't have to put her back on the bases where she might still score a run for you.

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Here's the answer you really wish you could give:

Coach, you're right; I should have given you an option. The run hasn't scored on the play, but if you would rather take an out for that runner, too, you don't have to put her back on the bases where she might still score a run for you.

Sad part is the coach might actually take the option!

[Tru_in_Blu]

2. Hands are part of the bat.

There are words added to the "official" dictionary each year. This "rule" is quoted so often that it might actually become part of sporting lexicon.

Here's a new one from the other day, which was a very very windy day (actually had a wind advisory!): Any pop-up in the infield is an infield fly.

[RKBUmp]

They continue to come up with new ones. I guess I need to read the rule book better.

1st, when over running 1st base, it is not necessary for the player to immediately return to the base if the coach is standing there talking to them.

2nd, if a runner stays in the base line it is perfectly legal for her to run over the short stop fielding a batted ball. Are you sure blue? Is this a new rule blue? But she was in the base path! Same sentiment coming from the stands.

3rd, rocker step is not legal when a player gets thier lead on the pitch. They must remain stationary until the pitch is released.

[NCASAUmp]

The one I've been hearing lately is when the batter hits a quick chip shot 50 feet into the outfield, "that's not a legal swing, blue! His wrists are supposed to break when he swings! It's in the book!"

First time I heard that, I seriously thought the player was smoking crack. WTF is he even babbling about? And then I heard it again on another field, different team, a couple of weeks later. "He's gotta break his wrists when he swings, blue! It's in the book!"

I'm wondering, "where are they GETTING this stuff? It HAS to come from somewhere..."

Finally, on another forum, I found the source.

ASA RS #10 - Check Swing / Bunt Strike.

I set them straight.

[MichaelVA2000]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Here's the answer you really wish you could give:

Coach, you're right; I should have given you an option. The run hasn't scored on the play, but if you would rather take an out for that runner, too, you don't have to put her back on the bases where she might still score a run for you.

Here's a response given to a coach after a blown call from one of the umpires earlier this year:

Well coach, the umpire exam had 100 questions on it and I got 80 of them correct. This situation must involve questions I missed.

[SRW]

Again with the fall-ball firsts...

For those who don't know, our fall-ball up here is all one-man mechanics, and all 7th and 8th grade, NFHS rules, with most leagues having some kind of per-inning run rule, and usually a "no new inning after 5:30pm" rule due to no fields having any lights.

So Team A has 4 to 5 players playing select/ASA ball. They're facing Team B, who has one or two select ball players. B2 on Team A hits a 200'+ shot to center field on her second pitch in the first inning, and winds up getting a home run.

2nd inning, B2 again hits a bomb, but this time only gets to 3B.

4th inning, Coach B instructs her F1 and F2 to intentionally walk B2. F1 and F2, being the novice 12 and 13 year olds that they are, have no clue WTF to do. After a little help, they get the walk. B2 is upset she doesn't get to hit.

5th inning, bases loaded. B2 up to bat. Intentional walk again put on. B2 takes the first two pitches, and is grumbling about it the whole time. 3rd pitch F1 rolls in... kind of like bocci (sp?) ball.

B2 golfs the ball past F4 into right center for a stand up, 3-run double. Inning run rule kicks in, and that inning's over.

First time for me in fall ball that a coach decided to intentionally walk a 13 year old for fear of her hitting ability... twice... then got burned by it.

[Stu Clary]

Originally Posted by MichaelVA2000

Here's a response given to a coach after a blown call from one of the umpires in earlier this year:

Well coach, the umpire exam had 100 questions on it and I got 80 of them correct. This situation must involve questions I missed.

Ha! I just let the coaches know that I like to screw up a couple calls every game - just to keep everyone on their toes.

Originally Posted by Stu Clary

Ha! I just let the coaches know that I like to screw up a couple calls every game - just to keep everyone on their toes.

Sadly, there's an umpire I work with who does this just be an a**hole of a jerk.

[wadeintothem]

Rules expert coach, according to him... definitely an obstruction expert. Both of these are same guy - ASA 18U "A".


1. I'm BU. Bunt Grounder down the line to F3 who is shallow. F3 fields the ball and turns to toss to F4 who is covering 1B... BR goes around F3 and is thrown out on the banger at 1.

Blue.. she just cant get in the way of my runner like that. My runner gets a lane.

2. I'm still BU, F2 up the line a little awaiting throw, Runner coming from 3. R1 makes contact with F2, F2 misses ball.. Runner scrambles to home. R1 safe. Partner has no call. Contact was not USC, just some minor contact from F2 in the way but it did cause F2 to miss the ball I'd guess. Coach is all over PU wanting runner out for not sliding. Coach is walking away from the convo in a huff, I've been hovering in vicinity... he looks at me. "What about you, do you have the same thing as your partner." ..

"No".

"Ok, so what did you have."

"Obstruction on your catcher."

"WHAT!!!".


Priceless...

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

he looks at me. "What about you, do you have the same thing as your partner." ..

"No".

"Ok, so what did you have."

"Obstruction on your catcher."

"WHAT!!!".


Priceless...

Well, I guess there are times when an umpire should answer a coach's question about their partner's call