Umpire Question

[default]

Bretman-

I have an unusal situation that ocurred recently and I would like your take on the rule:

Runners on first and second with two out. Count is 2-2 on the batter and next pitch is in the dirt. Batter, thinking it was ball four, drops her bat and trots off to first. The runners move up one base and the play is over. Base ump comes in and informs the home ump that the pitch was ball 3, not ball 4. Umps decision, is that the batter returns to plate with a full count and base runners must return to first and second.

My position, from the third base coach's box, is that runners advance at their own risk and should remain at second and third with batter returning to bat with the count now full. There was no intent on the part of the batter to deceive, she simply loss track of the count.(as did I) What's your call.

 

[default]

There are no do over's, runners should have stayed at 2nd and 3rd, batter returns with a full count.

 

[default]

Generally, the advance of the two runners would be legal and the batter would be returned to the plate with a full count. The defense is expected to know the count and react accordingly.

But there is one exception to that rule.

You say that the base umpire came in and informed the plate umpire that this was only ball "3". Did the plate umpire indicate this was ball "4", or give the count as "3 balls" prior to this pitch?

If that was the case, then returning the runners would be appropriate. If the plate umpire indicated "ball 4" and allowed the other runners to trot to the next base, then the defense was put at a disadvantge by an improper call. The umpires may rectify any situation where one team was disadvantged by their reversed or delayed call.

That would be the lone situation where returning the runners would be acceptable here- if the players all thought it was ball 4 because the umpires mistakedly told them it was.

If, on the other hand, the plate umpire had just given the count as "2 balls, 2 strikes", then the runner's advances would be legal and you would let them stay on their advance bases.

These sticky situations can be prevented by the plate umpire following some basic mechanics. Give the count often (I usually give it at least every other pitch) and ALWAYS give the count clearly when you have either 3 balls or 2 strikes.

On any counts of "X-balls and 2 strikes", or "3 balls and X-strikes", the next pitch can have huge impact on the game play. Always give those counts clearly and you will eliminate most all confusion regarding bases-on-balls, strike three pitches or uncaught third strikes.

One more preventive measure: If a batter starts advancing when she is not entitled to, the plate umpire needs to step in and prevent it. For example, on this play if the plate umpire knew it was only ball 3, he should have been loudly saying, "That's only ball three, batter! Get back in the box!".

 

[default]

bretman, I wish you could ump every game.

 

[default]

bretman-

In the above situation, he said that he knew it was not ball four, but did not say anything until the play was over. He wanted to wait and see if any play was made on the advancing runners. He said that he was returning the runners because of deception on the part of the batter and that the defensive team should not be penalized as a result of deception by the batter.

It was a new one on me!!!

 

[default]

Well, if that's what he told you then he told you wrong...

There is no rule in the book relating to "batter deception".

If he knew that it was only ball three, then he should have spoken up when the batter left the batter's box. If he was giving the count when and how he is supposed to, then there shouldn't have been any confusion by the batter or catcher about it being ball four.

With your further explanation, the runner's advance was legal and they should have been left at second and third.