Interesting play as it was described

[LIUmp]

To clarify I heard from 3 people who were there who said there was no way either umpire saw both runners. Runners were off the base hard on pitch, had to hold when it was popped up, and were retreating or frozen on touch and also on catch.
Then, I met up with the BU on this play, who is known for being that type of umpire to show what he knows, and that it's more than everyone else. He mentioned how he SAW both runners on the base "at first touch". I thought "how impressive, I wouldn't have immediately seen both of them on the base 'at first touch', maybe one but not both."

So I pressed him on this. "You saw both runners at the very moment it hit the pitcher's glove?"
"well, I saw the runner at second out of the corner of my eye at the very second it hit the pitcher's glove. I wasn't sure if she caught the ball, so I asked my plate ump. He thinks she caught it; he's almost positive she did. The plate ump didn't know the rule about the "first touch" and he wasn't sure about where either runner was at the moment. So I told him I'll explain it to the coaches."

An example of his "officiating": I was PU, he was BU. Batter hits base hit down right field line, just fair. He hesitated on going out, then changed his mind, turned around and tried to cut in the infield and tripped over the lip of the grass on the infield, just in front of where the F4 was. I was PU and covered him as the throw from right field came into 2nd since he was laying flat on his back. Batter was standing on 2nd with a double as the throw came in. He gets up, out of breath, and says " TIME!!! I have obstruction! The first baseman obstructed the runner rounding first, she will get third!" Another example, he called out and ejected a 12U player for her slide at home, saying her leg was "too straight" to be a legal slide. This happened in the 7th inning of a tie game at Nationals. His pregame speech includes the warning, "captains, tell your batters, I like to call strikes. Come up swinging the bat. Also, if you think I'm rushing you, you're right."

I just found this story to be all too common for him to have....I can go 15 years and not get anything like this.

Something about the whole play didn't sit right. So I figured I'd ask here.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

To clarify I heard from 3 people who were there who said there was no way either umpire saw both runners. .

I don't know from an umpire on the field perspective but from a dugout on a 60' field it isn't that hard.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

To clarify I heard from 3 people who were there who said there was no way either umpire saw both runners. Runners were off the base hard on pitch, had to hold when it was popped up, and were retreating or frozen on touch and also on catch.
Then, I met up with the BU on this play, who is known for being that type of umpire to show what he knows, and that it's more than everyone else. He mentioned how he SAW both runners on the base "at first touch". I thought "how impressive, I wouldn't have immediately seen both of them on the base 'at first touch', maybe one but not both."

So I pressed him on this. "You saw both runners at the very moment it hit the pitcher's glove?"
"well, I saw the runner at second out of the corner of my eye at the very second it hit the pitcher's glove. I wasn't sure if she caught the ball, so I asked my plate ump. He thinks she caught it; he's almost positive she did. The plate ump didn't know the rule about the "first touch" and he wasn't sure about where either runner was at the moment. So I told him I'll explain it to the coaches."

An example of his "officiating": I was PU, he was BU. Batter hits base hit down right field line, just fair. He hesitated on going out, then changed his mind, turned around and tried to cut in the infield and tripped over the lip of the grass on the infield, just in front of where the F4 was. I was PU and covered him as the throw from right field came into 2nd since he was laying flat on his back. Batter was standing on 2nd with a double as the throw came in. He gets up, out of breath, and says " TIME!!! I have obstruction! The first baseman obstructed the runner rounding first, she will get third!" Another example, he called out and ejected a 12U player for her slide at home, saying her leg was "too straight" to be a legal slide. This happened in the 7th inning of a tie game at Nationals. His pregame speech includes the warning, "captains, tell your batters, I like to call strikes. Come up swinging the bat. Also, if you think I'm rushing you, you're right."

I just found this story to be all too common for him to have....I can go 15 years and not get anything like this.

Something about the whole play didn't sit right. So I figured I'd ask here.

Do I know this umpire? These actions are seeming a bit too consistent....

[LIUmp]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Do I know this umpire? These actions are seeming a bit too consistent....

You do know him. Too well. And I agree it's ludicrous. Especially considering this umpire.

Always happens to him.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Do I know this umpire? These actions are seeming a bit too consistent....

Tell me this isn't the same guy I worked with down in NC summers ago when you and I first met each other?

It sounds like his MO.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

Tell me this isn't the same guy I worked with down in NC summers ago when you and I first met each other?

It sounds like his MO.

The ejection for the slide was a give away. Glad we had 2 UICs assigned to the complex to right the wrong.

Never shuts up and then when he has to step up and say something, mums the word.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by LIUmp

He mentioned how he SAW both runners on the base "at first touch". I thought "how impressive, I wouldn't have immediately seen both of them on the base 'at first touch', maybe one but not both."

I can see your skepticism based on your previous encounters with that official... however, I would hope that on a play like this, on first touch your first reaction should be a quick glance at the runners. Why? For exactly a situation like this one. Glances don't take long, and as BU, what the heck else are you looking at at this point in the play? Also ... from C, both R1 and R2 are in your primary field of vision. It's your JOB to know whether they were off at that moment, and pay attention to whether they get all the way back. This is not something you should be impressed by or skeptical of (given a normal umpire and not one you're already automatically skeptical of).