Ask Steve the Ump
Answers to Rules Questions
Questions and answers will be posted at my discretion, as I have the opportunity to do so. All answers are purely my personal opinion.
| Bottom of the 6th two outs runners on 2nd and 3rd. A
3-2 count on the batter. Pitcher in a full windup delivers the
pitch as the runner breaks from third. Pitch is ruled a strike as the
runner from 3rd slides across the plate, however the catcher drops the
3rd strike. Catcher throws to first runner is called out for the third
out. Does the run count? Ron Prokop Billings, Montana - 5/9/08 |
No. No run can score when the third out is made by virtue of
the batter not reaching first base safely. 4.09 a 1
| This is a "Dumb Question" but
the local umpires are convinced and have made a point to call this at
all occasions. SITUATION : Cal Ripken League ages 11-12 yr. olds. - Runner on 1st base. First baseman plays defense approx. 6'-8' from 1st base bag DIRECTLY in the base path between 1st and 2nd base. Umpires have decided that the 1st baseman will be called for OBSTRUCTION for being in the basepath. Of course, the umpires think this is interference!! I see NO description of this situation in rules book. I need to correct this problem in this league. THANKS again for your time and assistance. Ron Kinnaman Logansport, IN - 5/5/08 |
I believe that the Ripken league uses their own rule book,
which modifies pro rules. If I have a copy, it is very old.
That being said: If anything, this would be obstruction. If the runner
caused a problem for the fielder, it would be interference. There should
be no obstruction call unless a play ensues and the 1st basemanin some
way obstructs the runner. The fielder beginning the pitch in that
area in itself cannot be obstruction. Also, there is no rule
anywhere in any rule book that I am aware of that lists an obstruction
violation for being in the base path at the time of the pitch., or any
other obstruction for defensive positioning at the time of the pitch. If
the play proceeds and the runner is some way obstructed by the fielder,
then obstruction should be called. If I understand what you have said
properly, the umpires in your league should immediately stop making such
a call.
| WHAT IS A GROUND RULE TRIPLE? DEX GLENNVILLE, GA - 5/4/08 |
There is no such thing as a grounds rule triple.
| I have the bases loaded, no one out or two out!!!
The pitch to the batter is ball 4. Everyone advances but the 3rd base
runner fails to touch home as he passes the plate. He is then
tagged by the catcher.. Is he out immediately? Can the
runner retouch after the tag? At what point can an appeal on missing the
plate be made? Joe Willoughby Columbia, MS, Marion - 4/8/08 |
The batter is out immediately. A base on balls is a award which ends at the awarded base. Since the runners are forced, they are awarded the next base. Once he crossed the plate, the runner is subject to an appeal. By tagging the runner, technically the catcher is making an appeal which should be upheld by the plate umpire. The runner can retouch is he does so before being tagged.
| If a pitcher, with runners on base, while in contact with the rubber, drops the ball and it hits his leg and rolls into foul territory considered causing a balk or is it a ball on the batter? Jerry McCoy Rootstown, Ohio, U.S.A. - 4/3/08 |
I can't believe this could actually happen, but if the ball is dropped from the rubber and crosses the foul line, it is a pitch. If it does not cross the foul line, it is a balk.
| Bases loaded, two outs, batter hits home run. While between first and second bases, the batter runner passes the base runner ahead of him. I know the batter runner is out, however, what runs, if any score? Is it a dead ball timing play? Dan Davis Boise, Idaho/USA - 3/20/08 |
The ball is dead as soon as it goes over the fence. The technical call is a 4-base award for the batter-runner and all other runners score ahead of him.
The batter-runner is out for the 3rd out and all other runners score.
| If 3 players (P,C,3rd) are in front of the dugout attempting to make a play on a foul fly ball and players from the dugout are yelling "I've got it" and the ball hits the ground, should verbal obstruction be called and the batter be called out? Mike Kimmons Adamsville, TN - 3/12/08 |
If you are using NFHS rules and you feel there was verbal interference, you should make the call. Dugout offensive players calling for the ball certainly qualifies. There is no verbal interference under Pro rules.
| During a recent discussion (tailgate training) a question was posed regarding "catch" or "no catch" per the following scenario: Centerfielder makes a spectacular catch on the run, and immediately collides with the Left Fielder. This collision causes his glove (with the ball still in it) to fall to the ground (again, with the ball still in it). Is this to be considered a "catch" since (per the definition of a catch), the player has the ball firmly in his hand or his glove. One umpire says he ruled it a "no catch" but was later overruled (and the game had to be replayed from that point). David Boone Georgetown, TX - 12/28/07 |
As you describe it, this is no catch. Not only must the outfielder have possession of the ball, he must regain control of his body: i.e.. if a ball is in an outfielders glove, his momentum carries him into to a wall 10 feet away and he drops the ball, it is no catch. This call was correct and should not have been overturned.
| There was a rule which prohibits infielders from warming up when there were base runners during pitcher warm ups. I can not find this in the new rule book. Is it still in effect? Ted Weiland Madison, South Dakota - 7/10/07 |
Yes. It is in the NAPBL umpire's manual.
| If a game is postponed because of rain, when play is resumed do both teams have to start with the same lineup as before the rain delay or can lineup changes be made right before play is resumed? Monte Mansfield Austin, Tx - 7/02/07 |
Generally they have to re-start the game with the same lineup. Before beginning, they may make a substitution with an eligible player as in any other game. I have seen this rule waived by leagues under unusual circumstances.
| If a pitcher has pitched for 4 innings and comes out to the mound in the fifth inning and throws 1 warm-up pitch is it legal for a sub to come in for him or does he have to throw to one batter since he has already toed the rubber? lisa boudreaux - 6/28/07 |
He has already pitched in the game. The pitcher may then warm up and be replaced before the 1/2 inning begins. A pitcher who warms up (1 warm up pitch) and has not yet pitched to a batter in the game must pitch to a minimum 1 batter.
| If a 1st baseman or a 3rd baseman has a foot in foul territory at the time of the pitch is this a balk? Jerry McCoy Rootstown, Ohio- 5/21/07 |
No. But he must be in fair territory. If you let them know, this usually solves the problem. The only possible penalty is ejection if they don't comply.
| Runner on third, 1 out; batter hits a ball that strikes the field umpire in front of a fielder. What is the call and where do runner(s) get placed? Peter Fazzino Monroe Township, NJ - 5/17/07 |
If an umpire is struck by a batted ball before it has passed a fielder (not including the pitcher) the ball is dead, the batter gets first, is credited with a single and runners advance if forced. If the ball has passed a fielder (not including the pitcher) the ball is live and play continues
| Here is my question. Between innings, the catcher is waiting for his pitcher (for the
warm-up pitches). Then the shortstop, who is the catcher's best friend, mounts on the plate and delivers a pitch. The opposite manager comes to me and tell me the shortstop should be the new pitcher according to 3.08 a). Is he right? Geoffray Gregoire Ramillies, Belgium - 5/10/07 |
Yes. If someone goes to the mound and throws a warm-up pitch, he has to pitch to one batter.
| There is a dispute in our Little League (15-17yr olds) on balks with a runner on first. The question is whether a right handed pitcher must always take his foot off the rubber before attempting a pick-off to first. They say it's physically impossible to otherwise stay on the rubber and quickly turn to throw to first without it looking like the pitching motion. Can you help us? Rod Qatar 3/16/07 |
The pitcher does not have to step off the rubber to throw to first, provided he steps toward first. For a snap throw with no step, the must remove his pivot foot from the rubber before throwing. When he does so, he becomes and infielder as any other infielder. Any throw out of play then becomes a 2-base award.
| My understanding is that a left or right handed pitcher attempts a pick off to first base, he must step directly toward first base. The umpire told me this weekend that a left-handed pitcher has a 45 degree angle on the mound to land his forward foot. I can't find anything in the rules pertaining to 45 degree landing area when stepping toward first for a pick off move. This 15 yr. old AAU Ball. David Rose Smithfield, North Carolina - 10/2/06 |
Technically, both left and right-handed pitchers must step past the 45 degree angle toward first base though it is not strictly enforced. Many years ago, MLB put a 45 degree line on the field during spring training and it was found that most left and right handed pitchers were technically balking and the line was never seen again. The step toward first rule is 8.05(c) but does not mention a 45 degree angle. The wording "directly toward a base" infers that. I believe AAU uses modified Pro rules.
The NAPBL umpire manual mentions "direction toward and distance to the base." but also does not mention a 45 degree angle.
| Game is being played under High School Rules: Our game was in the bottom of the 7th with two outs and two runners on base (1st and 2nd) with our team losing by one run. The opposing coach calls time and goes to the mound to talk to his pitcher, catcher and SS. Then while the first coach is still on the mound a second coach goes onto the field and behind the mound on the infield grass calls in all the outfielders and remaining infielders to go over defensive strategy. I ask the umpire if this constitutes a second conference/visit and required pitching change. Obviously, this was a critical time in the game and the ump tells the opponent's head coach one of them has to leave the field. Neither leaves immediately and ultimately they both leave the field and the game resumes. What is the correct call? jim tatera st paul, mn - 6/15/06 |
The HS Case Book, page 34, 3.4.1 E has a play to cover the situation. While one coach is having a conference with a player, another coach of the same team may also have a conference with other players and it is only one conference. The Case Book makes it very clear. If the second coach should delay the game (which I don't see ever occurring if they are informed), a second conference may be charged.
| With one out and runners on 1st and 3rd, a batter hits a clean single. Run scores and the trailing runner is thrown out at 3rd. The batter (now on 1st base) thinks it's out number 3 and starts toward the 3rd base dugout. Coach yells, and runner returns before being tagged. Umpire calls runner out for leaving the baseline. Offence protests ruling. All defensive players return to the dugout, with runner remaining on 1st. Umpire consults rules and decides it may be a possible appeal play. Defense argues that he didn't appeal as the umpire had already called him out to end the inning? Offence counters that the incorrect call brought into question a possible appeal, which would have not been made otherwise and the fact that the defense had all left the field nullified any possible appeal. Craig Sinon Madison, CT - 6/3/06 |
If the base runner leaves the base and starts walking towards his dugout or towards his position as if he believes he is out or that the inning is over, he is called out for abandoning his right to run the bases. He does not have to walk into dead ball territory. Once the runner takes more than a couple of steps in the direction of his bench, or his position, he is called out. Rule 7.08 (a) (2).
| This happened in a real game, runner on 1st and 2nd no outs. A fly ball is hit between center and right field. The center fielder has a beat on the ball and catches the ball, but at the same time his gloves falls off his hand with the ball in the glove. The runner on first went to 2nd and runner on 2nd went to third. The center fielder picked up his glove and ball and threw the ball to second. The infield umpire called the batter out and the runner on 3rd out. The runner now on second started to run back to first but the first base coach and all right thinking fans were cheering for the runner to return to 2nd. He did and was tagged. Triple play was called. Please tell me if a fielder catches a ball but at the same time the glove falls off his hand is it an out? What is the ruling as to how long it has to be in the glove or if he has to attempt to take it out of the glove? Douglas Maune Washington, MO/US - 5/18/06 |
There is no catch on this play. In order to make a catch, the outfielder must have "voluntary release" of the ball. Since the ball is still in his glove, there was no release of the ball at all. If it was a catch before the glove came off, the fact that the ball is in the glove would be irrelevant.
| Runner on first. Batter hits a fair ground ball to the first baseman, but the runner on first does not leave the bag. The first baseman fields the ball, runs over and steps on first (removing the force) and then tags the runner still on first. The question is since he tagged the base first removing the force, does the runner on 1st still have to attempt to go to second (in which case he is out) or is the runner safe at first? Rod Doha, Qatar - 4/7/06 |
Safe at first. When the fielder steps on the bag, the force is removed and the runner originally on first can now retreat safely to 1st base.
| No outs. Runners on first and second. Ball hit deep into the outfield, the runners go thinking the ball will drop. Fielder catches the ball. The runner from second has not reached third but the runner from first has tagged second. The runner from second retreats in time to beat the throw. Who is out? Our ump called the batter and runner from first out leaving a man at second. Jeffrey Ouellette Easthampton, Mass, USA - 9/26/05 |
If the runner from 1st has re-tagged or not passed 2nd, and retreated to 1st, no one is out except the batter. If both runners are standing on 2nd and are tagged, the runner from 1st is out, the runner from 2nd is safe, since he is entitled to the base.
Hello Steve. High School Federation Rules |
At any level, if the ball is not caught the runners do not have to tag up. If the ball is caught, then they can't leave the base until it is touched by the fielder. The batter is already out in either case.
Updated: May 09, 2008
Created: June 17, 2001
Steve Orinick is not liable in any way
for any event or situation whatsoever arising from these responses,
including errors and omissions or negative consequences, perceived or
otherwise. All answers are purely his personal opinion. Proceed at your
own risk! Read your rule book. Check with your association for specific
interpretations.
Answers copyright © 2005 - 2008 Steve Orinick. All rights reserved.
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