Umpiring Question

[sh9912]

Again I am going to say that this whole situation could have been resolved if any of these three umpires knew a couple of simple rules. First of all, the fair/foul ball is the field umpires call not home plate. The ball reached and went past the bag so it is now the 3rd base umpires call and the HP umpires does not do anything. No signal, no yelling, no pointing, - He doesn't make any call. When the field umpire yelled foul ball the ball is dead immediately. What I meant about the crew chief is that he is set by the supervisor and when the umpires got together he would be the more experienced and veteran umpire and got the rule correct. I have been a crew chief in many TSSAA district tournament, region, sub-state, and state tournament games. Get the rules calls correct. You do not let this play go and put that batter runner at second base after the umpire yelled foul ball. It is dead and a strike awarded against the batter where he goes back to the box and completes his turn at bat. If none of the three umpires knew that when a ball is called foul it is dead, then we have problems. Just get together and get the rule right. Obviously the crew needed a veteran umpire. Yes the crew chief can get the crew together and get that call correct. Umpires do not have the ability to overturn judgement calls. They do have the ability and obligation to get together as professionals when a rule comes into play and get it correct. And yes during the course of a game there is a designated crew chief and yes he can get that crew together and get that rule that was blown corrected. As far as the balk goes, a batter can never cause a pitcher to balk. NEVER. This is another time called and dead ball and restart the play. This one is about as easy to figure out as the first play if you know the rules. As far as a coach bringing a rule book out on me as an umpire- absolutely not. When I see the rule book I am going to tell him to put it away immediately or I am going to confine him. As soon as I see the rule book I can confine him. This is a huge game and I can see where a coach might lose it and come out with a rule book. Just tell the coach to put it away, get together as a crew away from the coaches and get this rule correct. I am referring to the foul ball call. This is a no brainer. Umpires are human and yes we do miss judgement calls which is part of the game. I guarantee you when we miss a judgement call we know it quicker than anyone else and yes it is upsetting but we must move on and be professional about it and get the rest of the calls correct. Our job is to go into a game with the attitude that we aren't going to mis one call during a game. We must look good, hustle, be crisp and sharp on all our calls, and always be ready for the unpredictable. Never anticipate a call because anything can happen in a baseball game. Lastly, to all umpires out there- Never blow a rule and if you do just accept it and get in that rule book and do your best to study it and understand it to the best of your ability. If you do not understand it then get on the phone and call other umpires in your association and talk about it during your meetings. This will help you out tremendously. Good luck to you all and always remember to call strikes. Think this- It is a strike when it leaves that pitchers hand until you see differently.

[thatpolkboy]

Once foul ball is called by ANY umpire on the field the ball is dead. Simple..... MLB Umpire