How would you handle this...

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We are playing in a lower "B" tournament this weekend. So, unfortunately that means one ump.

Here's my question:

Friday night our ump decided he was going to stand behind the pitcher instead of behind that plate. I understand it's his decision so I can't complain there but I know it hinders some defensive calls. Our runner is on first, the fake bunt / steal sign is given. The runner gets a good break. The girl playing 2B is CLEARLY in the base path. Our runner all but runs into her. She has to stop, dodge the 2B and runs around her. By this time the throw is at 2 and our runner is out. The fans go nuts, our runner is upset because she thinks she did wrong and play continues. We asked the ump after the inning about the call of obstruction or not. His answer while not satisfying was understood. Because he did not see the play, he could not call it. He tells us that while the pitcher is winding up he watches the runner for an early lead. When the pitcher drops her arm he watches the batter. He sees the pitch thrown, the ball caught, calls ball (very high pitch), sees the catcher throw to second, by now our runner is sliding into second and the ump sees out runner tagged. I get the point that he had a horrible view, I get that he can't call the play the way it happened because he didn't see it. He even goes on to warn the other team about obstruction, but it didn't matter. There were two other occasions that where verbatim the same play. The second basemen IS NOT MOVING from the base path!!!

We will more then likely be playing the same team in the finals today. What do I tell my runners today? I don't want confrontation in the base path but if the ump sees the girl laying on the ground because we ran her over does that help? I know that's not the right answer, I'm looking for help with this one. Tell the runner if she has to stop because of 2B or SS to just go back to her base and try again?

 

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I have never heard of the umpire calling balls and strikes from behind the pitcher in ANY tournament. Weird.......

Anyway, once you get your first runner on first base, if the 2B is in the baseline have your 1B coach call time and politely let the umpire know that the 2B is directly in the baseline. If the umpire states that the 2B may be anywhere she wants to be and the opposing team does not move that player, you might not have a choice but to actually show everyone that the 2B is in the way. Just saying.........

I know it sounds harsh but I think if you let the umpire and the other team know about the situation then the other team might be putting that player there on purpose and it needs to be remedied.

Len

 

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I have never heard of the umpire calling balls and strikes from behind the pitcher in ANY tournament. Weird.......

Anyway, once you get your first runner on first base, if the 2B is in the baseline have your 1B coach call time and politely let the umpire know that the 2B is directly in the baseline. If the umpire states that the 2B may be anywhere she wants to be and the opposing team does not move that player, you might not have a choice but to actually show everyone that the 2B is in the way. Just saying.........

I know it sounds harsh but I think if you let the umpire and the other team know about the situation then the other team might be putting that player there on purpose and it needs to be remedied.

Len

For the red, stop by NY sometime. we do some weird ****. That's why we love playing in Ohio.



There is another forum I am a member of and we have a saying. The first post always wins. You win! It's nice to see others think the way I do. Thank you.

 

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For the red, stop by NY sometime. we do some weird ****. That's why we love playing in Ohio.



There is another forum I am a member of and we have a saying. The first post always wins. You win! It's nice to see others think the way I do. Thank you.

They do that in NY?? Is that so the ump can eat an italian ice and a slice of pie during the game??:lmao::lmao: I grew up in NJ and watched my aunts and their friends play back in the late 60's and early 70's. Their umps always called the game from behind the plate, complete with those huge pillow chest protectors.

Thanks for the kudos. Sometimes you do what you gotta do to get your point across.

Len

 

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I think the theory is plain and simple is that they are scared of being hit by the younger pitchers. (10U) In our second and third game's we had umps behind the plate with the proper protective equipment on. Our guy behind the pitcher had his natural chest protector working.

 

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I've seen this at Aunt Rosie's in Buffalo in N.Y this year at 16U, Thought it was quite odd. Maybe I'm wrong about the obstruction call, but I think there has to be contact with the fielder to have that call. I think having a umpire call a game from behind the pitcher is ridiculous. His back is to the field, He is bound to miss calls. No peripheral vision. I say get your butt out from behind the plate and down the first and third base lines. The ump's are making a good buck these days.

 

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Maybe I'm wrong about the obstruction call, but I think there has to be contact with the fielder to have that call.

You are wrong. Contact is not a requirement for obstruction (or interference, for that matter).

Calling form behind the pitcher is something that I might only do in an emergency, like if I was at a game without my equipment and they needed an umpire. You might also see this with volunteer umpires (like a parent from the stands) at lower level rec league games.

For tournent play? No way! Plus, some umpire manuals for some sanctioning bodies forbid this.

Actually, calling balls and strikes isn't so hard from behind the pitcher. But you give up too much coverage by having your back to the infield.

 

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Thanks Bretman,
Hoping you would clear that up for me. That's why I'm in the stands and keep my mouth shut. Ha Ha

 

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Wow, standing behind the pitcher. Never seen that before. Crazy.

 

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You are wrong. Contact is not a requirement for obstruction (or interference, for that matter).

Calling form behind the pitcher is something that I might only do in an emergency, like if I was at a game without my equipment and they needed an umpire. You might also see this with volunteer umpires (like a parent from the stands) at lower level rec league games.

For tournent play? No way! Plus, some umpire manuals for some sanctioning bodies forbid this.

Actually, calling balls and strikes isn't so hard from behind the pitcher. But you give up too much coverage by having your back to the infield.

been waiting to reread this post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At HACKTIME Park (pastime park) for the Cincy World series... and guess what happen THREEEEEE times.... obstruction without contact... ok, ok... 2 for certain. SS had to go from charging and shoulders forward with full ability to field the ball to pulling up... stopping... letting the runner by and of course not making a catch or stopping of the ball cleanly. No call the 2nd time, ironically the plate up awarded it the first time. 2nd time both were clueless... same umpiring crew, same field.

Oh, to top it, the 3rd base was measured at 70 feet. We had to remeasure the entire field in the 2nd inning!!!! I also heard that earlier games were all thrown at 43' feet for the 12u's. Surprised the pitchers weren't complaining. Nevertheless, yeah, at a so called WORLD SERIES. I will be hard pressed to ever play there again. I tried numerous times to get tossed, made a fool of myself and they couldn't even do that right. So disappointed. Very happy that Kavin's 12u's eventaully took first place via a run rule. And yes I'm complaining about games that we won. Not a sore loser, a sore spot in my mind about that park and the umpiring for sure. Bretman... when can we clone you???

 

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Les,

Have to agree, spent the last two summers playing league ball at that place and it has deteriorated greatly in that short time...we will not be back for tourney or league play.

 

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I would come to the fundraiser for our girls HS softball . 100.00 cost --60% payout. To be held Aug 21st in portsmouth Oh. at the local CAY building. PM me if interested will be lots of food and cheap beer prices. cash tables , cash buy in etc etc MD

 

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I would come to the fundraiser for our girls HS softball . 100.00 cost --60% payout. To be held Aug 21st in portsmouth Oh. at the local CAY building. PM me if interested will be lots of food and cheap beer prices. cash tables , cash buy in etc etc MD

Coop are you in sales?:lmao:

 

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Nope just bored today and help out a friend with promoting their fundraiser.

 

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I tried numerous times to get tossed, made a fool of myself and they couldn't even do that right. So disappointed.

Maybe I missed the kidding around part of that statement. Or maybe it's not there at all? Is that really necessary coaching kids?

 

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You would not be disappointed at the fundraiser for our girls HS softball . 100.00 cost --60% payout. To be held Aug 21st in portsmouth Oh. at the local CAY building. PM me if interested will be lots of food and cheap beer prices. cash tables , cash buy in etc etc MD

 

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at a so called WORLD SERIES.

Keep in mind Les, this is only a "World Series" by name tournament. Nothing you have to qualify for there except be qualified in wading when it rains. :lmao::lmao:

 

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Well...here's what you do...you find the biggest sturdiest girl on your team...put her in to pinch run..and tell her to have fun... ;&
Haha just kidding.

But really...if I were the runner in that situation I would most likely gently bump into/plow the 2nd baseman over and that would be the end of her 'stand in the baseline because i can' games..she'd play out in the outfield after that...but that's just me. Also, I wouldn't advise anyone else to do that, especially if they're young.