You make the call

[robbie]

Play 3: Runner at third, 2 outs. The runner jumps up and switches feet touching the base in such a manner that momentarily there is no contact with the base by either foot. (Pitcher has the ball in the circle) She has never moved forward towards home plate. Player 40 is the batter in the box when this happens (this is important in play 5). What's the call?


I have nothing on this play. The runner did not leave the base early, she just lost contact momentarily above the base.


Play 5: From play 3, #40 was at bat when the inning ended at 3rd base. Batter #18 comes up to bat and the count is 1-1 when the offensive coach calls for time and says she is switching batters to #40 who should be the batter because she was up when the call was made (play #3). What should happen?

I know have the correct batter, #40, up with a 1-1 count. Despite what the defensive coach said, I have no out on this play because no play had occurred.


There were all plays from tonight's JV DH. Play 1 was when I was on the bases, plays 2-5 were with me on the plate.

Play 5 will be batting out of order when #40 completes the at bat.
You state that in Play 3 you "have nothing."
Therefore we assumt that #40 made the last out of the inning.

[Altor]

Originally Posted by robbie

Play 5 will be batting out of order when #40 completes the at bat.
You state that in Play 3 you "have nothing."
Therefore we assumt that #40 made the last out of the inning.

I guess I assumed the OP's partner called an out in Play 3 to end the inning.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

More serious note. When a runner "tags" on fly ball, but isn't actually in contact with the base when (or after) the ball is caught, would you (asking youngump, but applies to all) similarly (and consistently) deny an appeal because she didn't "leave" the base. If being at the base but not in contact is not leaving it, would you deny a pickoff tag (okay, that rule says in contact, but my point is where are you drawing the line??)?

I can't actually imagine a situation where a runner would not be in contact with the bag long enough to matter and I wouldn't determine it to be leaving the base. A runner tagged while not in contact with a base is out, so we're talking about the specific case where a runner is standing next to the base and they appeal by touching the bag. Any runner who has been off long enough for that to matter has left the base.

It's my judgment as to what leave a base means and standing on one leg or straddling a base for a while is leaving it. Shifting the feet in a way that temporarily breaks contact is not.

If I see a runner shift her feet in a way that breaks contact and the coach comes out and says did you see her off the base, I can truthfully say "coach I didn't see her leave the base; but I'll be sure and watch all the runners more carefully." If you inadvertenly happen to see a runner shift her feet in a way that momentarily breaks contact with the base and the coach comes out and says did you see that, what do you say?

I still maintain this is an entirely academic conversation as unless I'm missing something you're telling me, we're both going to do the same thing on the field, we're just going to have different approaches to getting there.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by robbie

Play 3: Runner at third, 2 outs. The runner jumps up and switches feet touching the base in such a manner that momentarily there is no contact with the base by either foot. (Pitcher has the ball in the circle) She has never moved forward towards home plate. Player 40 is the batter in the box when this happens (this is important in play 5). What's the call?


I have nothing on this play. The runner did not leave the base early, she just lost contact momentarily above the base.


Play 5: From play 3, #40 was at bat when the inning ended at 3rd base. Batter #18 comes up to bat and the count is 1-1 when the offensive coach calls for time and says she is switching batters to #40 who should be the batter because she was up when the call was made (play #3). What should happen?

I know have the correct batter, #40, up with a 1-1 count. Despite what the defensive coach said, I have no out on this play because no play had occurred.


There were all plays from tonight's JV DH. Play 1 was when I was on the bases, plays 2-5 were with me on the plate.

Play 5 will be batting out of order when #40 completes the at bat.
You state that in Play 3 you "have nothing."
Therefore we assumt that #40 made the last out of the inning.

Actually my partner did make the call for losing contact with the base (as he said she left early by jumping up and switching feet-his words when discussing it with the coach.). 40 was at bat when this call was made, so she should have been the batter to start the next inning.

Basically this game was a total CF both from a field and umpiring standpoint. I know I missed a call and I was bailed out by my partner on another. I still think he missed several as well. Add to that a field that is not in good shape and is uneven to the point of really sore ankles postgame. The visitor dugout was basically a lake, but it didn't extend into fair territory.

Basically it was a CF all the way around. The one saving grace is one team had a very solid pitcher, which made things go a bit faster, at least balls were put in play (the pitcher was the runner called out in play 3).