Transcript Top 10 Misunderstood Rules

Baseball Officials Training
North Texas Independent Sports
Officials
Training Overview
• We will review each Rule in the Officials
Rule Book
• Specialize on high probability issues
• Stress Field Mechanics
• Above all, understand the purpose and
meaning of the Umpire in baseball
Rule 2.00
Definition of Terms
• In Rule 2.00, there are 92 terms
• We will cover the main terms
• Remember, terms are the heart of the
Rule book
• Terms are a rule!
Balk
• A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher
with a runner or runners on base,
entitling all runners to advance one
base without jeopardy of being put out
• We will train on balks in this training
Bunt
• A batted ball not swung at, but
intentionally met with the bat and
tapped slowly in the infield
• Infield fly rule does not apply to bunted
balls
A Catch
• The act of a fielder in getting secure
possession in his hand or glove of a ball
in flight and firmly holding it, providing
he does not use his hat, protector or
any part of his uniform
• It is a catch if the fielder makes the
catch and in the process of throwing,
drops the ball
Dead Ball
• Is a ball out of play because of a legally
created temporary suspension of play
• See Rule 5.10 – calling time
• See Rule 5.11 – putting ball back into
play
Foul Ball
• A batted ball that comes to rest in foul
territory
• If a fielder touches the ball, it is the
position of the ball, not the fielder that
determines fair or foul
• Ball is ALWAYS dead
Fair Ball
• Is a batted ball that settles in fair ground
between home and first or home and
third base
• Always judged according to the relative
position of the ball, not the position of
the fielder
Foul Tip
• Is a batted ball that goes sharp and
direct from the bat to the catcher’s
hands and is legally caught
• It is not a foul tip unless caught
• All foul tips are strikes
• The ball is in play
Illegal Pitch
• A pitch that is delivered without the
pitcher having his pivot foot on or in
contact with the pitcher’s plate
• With runners on base, this is a balk
Infield Fly
• A fair ball which can be caught with ordinary
effort when 1st, 2nd or 1st, 2nd and 3rd are
occupied with less than two outs
• Ball is always alive
• Umpire declares “infield fly”, but lack of
umpire action does not nullify the infield fly
• All fielders are part of this rule
Interference
• An act by the offense that interferes,
hinders obstructs, impedes or confuses
any fielder attempting to make a play
• Offense commits this act
• On any interference, the ball is dead
Obstruction
• The act of a fielder who, while not in
possession of the ball and not in the act
of fielding a ball, impedes the progress
of any runner
• Defensive act
• Delay-Dead ball
Overslide
• Act of an offensive player when his slide
to a base, other than when advancing
from home to 1st base, is with such
momentum that he loves contact with
the base
• Remember “runner must not commit” to
2nd base to remain protected under this
rule
“Play”
• The umpires order to start or resume
the game following any action that
produces a “dead ball” condition
• Pitcher and catcher must be in position,
with catcher in squat
Overthrows
• Rules governing overthrows overlooked
• An overthrow that goes into dead ball
areas causes immediate dead ball
• If pitcher throws, 1 base
• If fielder throws, 2 bases
Appeals to a Call
• Official nearest play makes call (?) Dual calls
are tempting the Devil himself
• Once call is made, you can call time and
confer with fellow official
• No umpire is to overrule another umpire
unless help is requested
• Don’t look like a jerk; always call time and
confer if a call is in question.
• But only official that makes call can ask for
help
Hit Batter
• Must attempt to avoid pitch, by rule
• Ball is always dead, proper call is “Dead
Ball”
• Awarded 1st; runners advance if forced
• Swings, hits batter’s hand (Rule 2.00(e)
and 6.05(f)
• Swings, hits hand as batter swings
Rule 9.00
The Umpire
• Each umpire has authority and is
required to enforce all of the rules of
baseball
• Has authority to order a player, coach,
manager to refrain from doing anything
which affects administering baseball
rules or to enforce penalties
The Umpire
• Each umpire has the authority to rule on
any point not specifically covered in
rules
• Each umpire has the authority to
disqualify any player, coach or manager
and to eject such disqualified person
from the playing field for
unsportsmanlike conduct or language
The Umpire
• Has authority to remove anyone from
the playing field that are not authorized
• Any decision which involves judgement
is final and not appealable
• No player, coach or manager shall
object to any such judgement
The Umpire
• Coaches, players or managers may question
an umpire’s decision as it is in conflict with
the rules
• Any such appeal is made only to the umpire
who made the protested decision
• Any umpire may ask another umpire for
information prior to making a final decision
The Umpire
• No umpire shall criticize, seek to
reverse or interfere with another
umpire’s decision unless asked to do so
by the umpire making the decision
• An umpire is always courteous, but firm
when the situation requires
Comments to Umpires
• Umpires are the not only the enforcers
of a set of rules
• They must be seen as enforcing the
rules in a fair manner
• Respect comes to umpires that call a
game fairly
• This includes not trying to make up for a
previously bad call
Comments to Umpires
• We stress the appearance of our uniforms
• We stress the courteous performance of our
job
• We stress being open for questions from
coaches and managers
• We allow the greatest game ever played to
continue within the bounds of the rules
• We are the rules. We are the game because
we insist that it is played to a common
enforcement of the rules