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CJM
15 Posts |
 Posted - 10/01/2012 : 10:48:53
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What do you all feel are the most or is the most misunderstood rule and/or interpretation of a rule by umps and fans?
My opinion, it seems that the obstruction or interference play is the one. Seen many examples over the years and enjoyed the misinformed fans and their comments on these plays too.
Recent one heard a fan claim on a call that the "runners job is to run straight ahead no matter what"...good grief! |
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xs951
6 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2012 : 12:49:58
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Saw an example of the "interference" call this past week. Runner going to second pulled up and turned out to the right as he never even made it close enough to second to attempt a slide. He was called for interference for not sliding and runner going to first was called out.
As for the "run straight ahead no matter what" - even if this was the rule it would not be worth the injuries it would cause. |
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baldy87
118 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2012 : 12:28:49
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Interference/Obstruction is a good one, and CJM - we've had the exact same call put on us before. Kid running to second is nowhere near the bag to slide, so he just gives himself up, runs toward right field without sliding and is completely out of the way - on the turn the SS throws it halfway up the side fence, and the ump calls the batter out because the kid going to second didn't slide. Ridiculous. But, generally we've only seen interference/obstruction come into play once or twice a year.
The big one is the low strike on little kids, which we see every week. How many of us have seen ball after ball that BOUNCES in the dirt called a strike? Tell you what - have one of your little guys stand in the batter's box and hold about a two-foot 2x4 straight out, level with the ground, across the plate from the bottom of his knees. Then, have another little guy pitch and see if he's able to throw a ball that goes OVER the 2x4 but bounces in the dirt before the catcher catches it. Here's a hint - it can't be done - unless the pitcher throws the ball with a softball pitcher's arch. But it gets called almost every week. |
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xs951
6 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2012 : 14:15:56
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| I saw another "Interference/Obstruction" call last year that still puzzles me. Batter put a bunt down the 1st base line. Both the pitcher and 1st basemen broke for the ball. Pitcher got to the ball first, 1st baseman turned to his left to get out of the pitchers way and the batter and 1st baseman collided. Batter was called out for "interference" with the defensive player. Pitcher already had the ball at the time of the collision though. My interpretation was that the batter should have been called "safe" due to obstruction by the 1st baseman. Speaking with the umpire after the game, his interpretation was that the batter/runner has to avoid ALL the defensive players rather or not they are the ones attempting field the ball. |
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2012 : 14:52:10
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quote:
Originally posted by xs951
I saw another "Interference/Obstruction" call last year that still puzzles me. Batter put a bunt down the 1st base line. Both the pitcher and 1st basemen broke for the ball. Pitcher got to the ball first, 1st baseman turned to his left to get out of the pitchers way and the batter and 1st baseman collided. Batter was called out for "interference" with the defensive player. Pitcher already had the ball at the time of the collision though. My interpretation was that the batter should have been called "safe" due to obstruction by the 1st baseman. Speaking with the umpire after the game, his interpretation was that the batter/runner has to avoid ALL the defensive players rather or not they are the ones attempting field the ball.
Clearly a blown call or else every time there was interference with a fielder during a run down, the runner would be called out given this interpretation since this would include every defensive player involved in the pickle, not just the defensive player with the ball. |
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nwgadad
137 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2012 : 11:47:58
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Infield Fly....but when the player drops the ball. Hard for the kids not to run thinking they 'have' to run since the ball was dropped. Of course this happened this weekend to us, noone heard Infield Fly from the ump, but it was an obvious infiled fly and of course our runners ran. Doh. Quick double play.  |
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christheump
351 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2012 : 16:52:18
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Rec Ball: Ball hitting home plate. I can not tell you how many times a parent will yell, "Blue,the ball hit home plate!! Thats a foul ball!!" All you can do is snicker under the mask.
Travel Ball: 2 items.
1st, Runner avoiding a tag. Like above, there is always one parent yelling the runner went out of the base path. Really??
2nd, like above Obstruction/Interference
Baldy, I have called several low strikes that have hit the dirt before the catcher catches it...and yes it can be done with a baseball pitch... all it takes is a catcher setting up too far back. |
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baldy87
118 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2012 : 10:39:42
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quote:
Originally posted by christheump
Rec Ball: Ball hitting home plate. I can not tell you how many times a parent will yell, "Blue,the ball hit home plate!! Thats a foul ball!!" All you can do is snicker under the mask.
Travel Ball: 2 items.
1st, Runner avoiding a tag. Like above, there is always one parent yelling the runner went out of the base path. Really??
2nd, like above Obstruction/Interference
Baldy, I have called several low strikes that have hit the dirt before the catcher catches it...and yes it can be done with a baseball pitch... all it takes is a catcher setting up too far back.
Here's my experience because I've actually done this before. Setup a frame with those dimensions over the plate, where the top of the frame is level with the bottom of a kid's knees (maybe 15-18 inches up), and have another kid (not a 6' adult) throw a ball over that frame at game speed. It's physically impossible for the ball to go over the frame and bounce in the dirt before the catcher catches it - like I said - unless the kid is throwing with extreme arch, or standing on a mound that is 5 feet high, or to your point, Chris - the catcher is too far back from home plate. |
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F2202
63 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2013 : 03:38:52
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1. Most misunderstood rule is the baseline.
The runner has 3 feet on each side of the baseline. 8-4-2a NFHS
The baseline is established as follows: When a play is being made on a runner or a batter-runner, he establishes his baseline as directly between his position and the base toward which he is moving.
8-4-2a NFHS
So during a rundown/pickle, every time the runner turns around to retreat/advance to the other base, a new baseline is established.
As well, on a dropped third strike, where the batter-runner heads toward the dugout...once the catcher retrieves the ball and begins to move toward the batter-runner to apply a tag, a baseline is established between the batter-runner and first base. Should the batter-runner continue toward the dugout at this time, he is out after 3 feet.
2. Pitchers throwing or feinting to an unoccupied base for purposes of making a play on a runner, or driving a runner back, is not a balk provided the pitcher steps directly toward that base with his non-pivot foot. 6-4-2b NFHS |
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Miss understood calls
