Blocked out on fair/foul call

[Linknblue]

The first thing it seems that folks want to do on this forum is to be critical. I asked what you would rule if you got blocked out on fair/foul. It happened! I was looking down the line to make the call....right on the baseline. Folks jumped/ran/walked whatever in front of my just before ball hit the ground. I couldn't see where it hit. I have to make a call right? I didn't yell foul cuz I can't take that call back. I remained silent trying to get a "read" on the situation. I ended up ruling fair....but really had no clue where it hit.

The question was, do you rule fair if you don't see it or foul if you don't see it?

This is single man so I can't go to anyone.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Linknblue

The first thing it seems that folks want to do on this forum is to be critical. I asked what you would rule if you got blocked out on fair/foul. It happened! I was looking down the line to make the call....right on the baseline. Folks jumped/ran/walked whatever in front of my just before ball hit the ground. I couldn't see where it hit. I have to make a call right? I didn't yell foul cuz I can't take that call back. I remained silent trying to get a "read" on the situation. I ended up ruling fair....but really had no clue where it hit.

The question was, do you rule fair if you don't see it or foul if you don't see it?

This is single man so I can't go to anyone.

Seems the question was answered

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Second - if for some reason you are blocked, you use what you know to make the call. Whatever that may be.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

If I last saw the ball fair, it is most likely to be called fair. OTOH, if a base coach steps into the field because s/he HAS to get a better look at it than I have, that ball may end up being foul

Point is, you have to make a call 'cause you ain't doin' it over. You just do the best you can.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Linknblue

The first thing it seems that folks want to do on this forum is to be critical. I asked what you would rule if you got blocked out on fair/foul. It happened! I was looking down the line to make the call....right on the baseline. Folks jumped/ran/walked whatever in front of my just before ball hit the ground. I couldn't see where it hit. I have to make a call right? I didn't yell foul cuz I can't take that call back. I remained silent trying to get a "read" on the situation. I ended up ruling fair....but really had no clue where it hit.

The question was, do you rule fair if you don't see it or foul if you don't see it?

This is single man so I can't go to anyone.

I don't believe I, or Irish, were being critical at all. Both of us answered the question. A) Find a way to not be blocked. B) if it happens anyway, use what you DO know to make the best call possible.

Exactly what answer did you want, if this was not acceptable to you?

[Manny A]

This is really no different than what happens when you are blocked from seeing other things, and you have no help from a partner because you're flying solo.

How often have you had the catcher pop up on a high pitch, and you miss seeing the batter fail to check his/her swing? Or on a bunt in front of the plate, the catcher jumps up to go field it, and you miss seeing the ball hit the batter while he/she is out of the box? Stuff happens.

I didn't read any criticism other than of the constructive variety. You were told to do the best you can to not get blocked. But in those instances where you do, you just call what you feel is correct, based upon your best judgment coupled with the reaction of the players. You cannot use a default argument (it's assumed fair until proven otherwise).

[bluejay]

First... you don't get blocked out. You should be a few steps up the line anyway, and you should anticipate when you see the runner coming in on you and take a step fair or foul. You can't tell us you didn't have time to get anywhere and also tell us that the batter-runner was moving toward the running lane - which is halfway up the line.

M D, perhaps you do not realize how you come across but the above quote from your post seems critical to me. I admit I may be a little sensitive but when someone is asking for help you could give the help with a better tone.

[MD Longhorn]

Text has no tone - you put your own tone into it when reading. Nothing in the paragraph you quoted was critical.

[shagpal]

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

Originally Posted by md longhorn

text has no tone - you put your own tone into it when reading. Nothing in the paragraph you quoted was critical.

[Altor]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Text has no tone

Why does my phone beep every time I get one then?

[bluejay]

How about your second sentence where you said "You can't tell us you didn't have time to get any where" I guess you never got blocked out so you wouldn't understand. Now I'm being critical. Look what you started!!