Originally Posted by EsqUmp (Post 830072)

There are a lot of good ideas and articles in Referee. Not just for softball and baseball, but other sports and other general issues as well. While I don't agree with everything they write, nor what anyone else rights, there's a lot to consider. I wouldn't put blinders on just because it wasn't the way I was necessarily trained. John Bennett, you many on this forum, including myself, hold in high regard, often writes for them.

I would concur with your opinion of Joe Morgan and Lisa Fernandez though. They are almost as bad as Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

Originally Posted by mbcrowder (Post 830164)

No offense, but I think you're missing the point. For consistency's sake, this board uses Softball nomenclature for their runners - R1 for the lead, R2 after that etc. Your posts are going to be more easily followed and responded to if you can also follow the same nomenclature. (btw - the exact opposite is true over on the baseball board - but their reaction to someone using softball nomenclature on that board is a LOT more negative and vitriol-filled than what you got here).

If you use the wrong shorthand, some of your responses will use "your" shorthand, and others will use softball shorthand, and confusion and chaos will set in. We've all seen it - a lot. This is why you're being asked to use typical softball shorthand.

Originally Posted by EsqUmp (Post 830226)

I'm not missing the point. I am literate and understand the point. I just don't agree with the significance you place on it. My language was clear. No one responding had issues submitting intelligent answers. And no one asked me to use other abbreviations. Your definition of a request is different than mine.

Originally Posted by mbcrowder (Post 830230)

OK. I tried it nicely. Didn't work. My bad. No one can say I didn't try! I'm done with this windmill. Sorry to have bothered.

Originally Posted by EsqUmp (Post 829739)

Here is a variation of an interesting play I recently heard.

1 out. R3 on 3rd, R2 on 2nd and R1 on 1st. Batter hits a line drive to the short stop (no infield fly + 2nd out). F4 catches the ball but drops it in the transfer. The plate umpire immediate states and repeats, "That's a catch, the batter's out." R3, who was off with the pitch, stopped when the ball was hit, but then continued home without tagging up. F4 throws the ball to F2, who stands on the plate and catches the ball before R3 arrives. R3 crosses home plate; however, F2 doesn't tag R3. Instead, F2 throws down to F6, who is covering 2nd base and tags out R1, who was trying to advance. The base coaches throw their hands up in the air and the defense leaves the field.

What is the plate umpire's responsibility of addressing what happened at home plate? What is the call/mechanic. How would you make the call?