I had an assistant coach on a local team that loves to question rule interpretations. I was the PU and after his team completed their turn at bat, he asked me why I didn't invoke the infield fly rule when the pitcher caught a high fly ball. I told him I did last inning. He said "No, this inning". I said "There was no infield fly rule situation". He said " Yes, on the first out of the inning". I aked him how many runners were on base. He said "One, the runner on first". I explained to him that the infield fly rule was only in effect with less than two outs, with runners on 1st and 2nd, or with the bases loaded. He took two steps and said "You wanna bet a coke on it?" I said "how about $100?" I hated that I didn't have my rule book handy. He never came back by after our conversation. Go figure.

Now that's a good reason to carry a rule book onto the field. :D

SamC

DON'T START!!!

In our gear bags, we always have a copy of the ASA, NF, and NCAA rulebooks. Further, we keep last years books in our cars.

I agree with keller, I may be a first year umpire, but I played C -B softball for better than 20 years. Keep a copy of your rule book nearby. I remeber seeing an umpire one time that kept some type of bag clipped to the fence with extra balls AND a rule book. Still trying to find one of those bags :)

This is the same assistant coach that likes to start rebuttals by say "I have managed or coached youth sports for the last seven years and you're the first umpire to...". You can add the next phrase like "call an illegal pitch on this pitcher", "require a player to remove her jewelry", "call interference without contact", "call a girl out for slinging a bat", etc.

I guess I am the only umpire that follows the rules. ;)

I know exactly how you feel. I used to get the same response from coaches, too. I'll bet you'll keep your rule book in your bag from now on. Next time, have him bet you more than a Coke!!! LOL

:>0

I don't believe in ever having a rule book in sight unless it's one of those special league rules. I would just hold the $100 until the coach finds his book.

The infield fly rule requires only a runner on first... any time there would be a force out...

Got my hunnert out....
 

As a player of ten years, you should know this answer. Got my C-note on the table...care to try to take it away from me?

I am saying that by the rules of my Indiana softball league which plays NSA, the infield fly rule does apply to a runner on first with less than 2 outs.

Oh, really?
 

Please consult page 10 of the NSA rulebook for the definition of Infield Fly. This is section 27 under definitions. You will find the correct answer there. Infield Fly is not a rule that can be changed by the local league. And, according to your Indiana State NSA, it hasn't changed it.

[Edited by Striker991 on May 21st, 2003 at 05:21 PM]

So far this year I am the first umpire to:

Check the bats, throw bats out of a game, ask for a line-up card, call illegal pitches (over 12', SP), ask a player to wear his hat correctly, throw the ball down after 3 warm-up pitches, throw out illegal warm-up bats, insist on .44/375 balls and hustle away from the plate.

I guess all I need to say in response is, "thank you!"

Oh well, I thought I was first :o (4/29 for .375, 5/4 for lineups, illegal pitches (over 12' and under 6'), 3 warm-up pitches, and hustle away from the plate). ;)

We are always the first umpire on these kinds of calls! ;)

Last season, I called a pitcher for a leap in a tournament. Naturally, I was the first umpire to ever call her on that. After the game, back at the umpire's tent, I asked about her. At least 3 other umpires had already called her on that in that tournament alone.

But, I was the first! :D

That reminds me of a situation. In a tournament, I called dozens of illegal pitches, both replants and leaps, by one pitcher. Of course, the other coach kept saying she does that all the time, about time somebody called it, etc.; so much that I asked him to be quiet about it. Strangely, after the first couple, there was almost no argument from the pitcher or her coach, except a few "let them play". Then, the umpires for her team the remainder of the tournament did not call any. When I asked, one said she must have corrected what she was doing. These were not borderline calls, possibly the most obvious I have seen.

Speaking of Firsts

There is a local HS team here that wear yellow ribbons in
their hair. http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/silly.gif
This night F1 has long pony tail with the ribbon tied down low and
naturally coming into view with every pitch. It was very distracting
so I had her remove it. This was their 7th game of the year and
yeppers, it was the first time an umpire made her remove the ribbon.
Had them one other time, and surprise, No ribbon.

glen

I carry my book in my bag also. One time I was glad I had it. Big batter, guy's about 6'9, pitcher throws a ball about 7 feet high, crosses the plate just below the batters pecs and the catcher catches the ball before it hit the ground. I call a strike, the batter looks back at me and says "you ain't been umping long have you?" to which I replied, "longer than you have, now play ball." Next pitch comes in at the same spot and batter pops up to short. After catch he truns and jumps all over me about the strike call. He tells me that there is a "drop zone" behind the plate and if the ball doesn't hit there, it's not a strike. I walk over to my bag, pull out my book. I hand it to him and tell him "go sit on the bench over there and when you can find "drop zone" in this book, you can come back in and play, but for now you are done."

After the game, he gave me back my book and said "well, you're the first guy we've had that actually calls it the way it says." I just said thanks, took my book and left.