Another ump robs a girl of homerun !

[ech92]

At the tournament in Maumee on Saturday a girl hit a homerun and just before she touches homeplate a teamate gives her a high five . The ump initially calls her out ! There was a discusion between the umps & coaches to talk about it . We didn't stick around to see the outcome , but why do umps insist on calling this an out ? The high five in no way assisted this girl around the bases !!!!

 

[BretMan2]

And the MYTH lives on...

Why do umpires continue to do this? It can only be because they don't understand the actual rule. If they did, then they wouldn't call this an out. Not a season goes by where I don't hear about this happening a few times. I guess you can chalk it up to inexperience or lack of training.

This is a perfect example of a time when a coach should file a protest, exactly as outlined in the rule book, and get this bad call reversed. A coach can complain, and he can yell, and he can argue, but until he learns how to file a protest he's not going to get the relief that the rule book affords him when a rule is misinterpreted.

To the tournaments that don't allow protests, or charge an exorbitant fee to file one, shame on you. There should be an Umpire-in-Chief on-site to handle things like this in a timely manner.

 

[Westler33]

I could not agree more even if the ump on the field does not know have a lead person to get the call right because that is the whole point is to get the calls right.

 

[fastpitch life]

I do not understand ,, some of these umps are terrible ,, as fastpitch grows , the increase of bad umps grow,, tournaments that have a ton of teams usually have to take whatever is available

 

[umpirejj]

In two seperate tournaments lately I have seen this play called correctly & the opposing coach in both instances showed tons of displeasure stating that it is completely illegal for contact to be made before she crosses the plate & she should be out no questions ask.
There are several, that do not know this rule, even when called correctly by the umpire there are the ones who do not understand it.

In one instance, the young lady was 11 year old & this was her 1st ever out of the park homerun. Maybe I am different, but even if I am opposing her I would be one of the 1st to offer CONGRATS on this and would not have a problem at all with the high fives/celebration.
I just feel like sometimes we forget. These are kids out there....

 

[HeyBlue!]

umpirejj...well stated. The atmosphere surrounding games would be so much more enjoyable if EVERYONE involved would understand and share the "these are kids out there..." perspective.

 

[fastpitch life]

absolutely right umpirejj

 

[wow]

The real issue here is not the interpretation of the rule rather the agenda of the UMP. Some UMPs just have a vindictive personality and see things black and white rather than applying reasonableness to the call. If a UMP wants to make a bad call, to make a point, its is very hard to get it reversed. I was at a tournament recently when a batter was 3-0 and went to walk on ball 4. The batter proceeded to drop her bat prior to the call and the ump called strike. Same thing happened on 3-1. The batter went to drop the bat and the ump again called strike two. And the last the one was just the same. The batter was called out. The ump then openly told the girl "That will teach you to drop the bat before the call". Don't get me wrong.. 95% of UMPS are great! But the bad 5% give a bad name.

 

[DW@SBC]

So pardon my question, but what is the rule?

And was this on diamond #2 at Maumee by chance?

 

[TnTs_Dad]

My DD was playing 3B at Dayton Metro when an old teammate of hers hit one out. She high fived her as she rounded third. Wouldn't that have been something if blue tried to call that.... lol.

 

[Fairman]

Fastpitch Life

I can tell you the Indiana Summer Showcase Tournament (ISST) in Indiana PA an USSSSA sanctioned event, had 138 teams from four states and Canada this year. We had umpires from those same four states (no Canadians) gather in Indiana for the weekend. Every umpire that comes to our tournament has been trained, vetted and paired with experienced umpires. Of the 80 umpires that were here, not all were flawless but they were pretty good. These men and women work very hard to do a great job and to get better each and every weekend. The ranks of competent umpires are growing through the efforts of these organizations.

Not every tournament will have great umpiring and not every call will go your way but do all of us a favor and don't return to a poorly umped tourney. Those tourneys will drop by the wayside and the better ones will thrive.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

So pardon my question, but what is the rule?

The rule is when any offensive team member, other than another runner, physically assists a runner while the ball is live. Congratulatory slaps are not assisting the runner. If the ball was hit over the fence, it is dead.

 

[fastpitch life]

Fairman,, just saying that it seems like quility of blues go downhill wihen the quanity of teams go up.. I guess its just math though,, most of everyone knows that they cant get every call right, nor do i think they can,, but being unproffesional and addressing the crowds and parents souldnt happen.. As sad as it is one or two umpires can ruin a group,, fans get a sour attitude if they have a bad one and then tend to pick em all apart after that.

 

[Outlaws_Dad_78]

I do not understand ,, some of these umps are terrible ,, as fastpitch grows , the increase of bad umps grow,, tournaments that have a ton of teams usually have to take whatever is available

It's simple when you have every girl under the sun playing travel ball and probably 100 times more travel ball teams then in the past years you need more umpires to make this all happen. So, you start spreading the good umpires thin, its a part of life. Quit bitching and deal with it, there all humans and they will make mistakes.

 

[Fastpitch1]

Wt_?????????????????????????????????????? What is this guy from Zimbabwe posting???

 

[Louuuuu]

Because we're operating on a temporary website, all of the spam blockers/filters aren't in place.

(Now keep quiet, and read all about electromagnetism.)

 

[BuckeyeLeaf]

He was spamming... and is now gone.