Ask The Umpire

Posted 6/17/2009 Question: With runners on second and third, a batter hits a ground ball up the middle that gets into centerfield. The runner on 2nd and the shortstop almost collide as the shortstop makes an attempt to field the ball. The runner on 3rd scores and the runner on 2nd is thrown out at the plate for the 2nd out. The coach of the defensive team comes out and claims the shortstop and runner did indeed collide. The 3-man umpiring crew huddle for 5-7 minutes and rule in favor of the defensive coach and rule the runner on 2nd out, put the runner back on 3rd and give the batter first. Given this is a "dead ball" infraction, can it be appealed in this manner since whichever umpire "saw" the play should have called interference and declared the ball dead?	Answer: They eventually got the call right. A collision does not need occur for interference to be called if the offensive player hampered the SS in any way. (hesitation, confusion, etc) The fact that they did not make the call immediately matters not. Although you are correct that it should have been declared a dead ball and the runner from second out immediately, the umpires can conference after the fact and make the right call. One other thing they could have done was also to have called the batter/runner out if they felt that an easy double play would have been made without the interference. That might be a stretch depending on the level of play but it could have been made. The end result was correct.
Posted 6/13/2009 Question: Batter's interference. 2 outs, full count, runner on 2nd, pitch in dirt. Runner goes to third. Batter turns to drop bat and take first on walk. Catcher throws perfectly to third, play is not close, runner is safe standing on base when ball arrives. No further runner advancement. Catcher's throwing hand hits batter's helmet. Batter had no intent to interfere although had stepped out of batter's box to place bat down. Umpire calls runner out due to batter's interference. is this the correct call?	Answer: This is certainly one where it is all up to the judgment of the umpire. As described here, it appears that the umpire should not make an interference call but not having been there, I hate to second guess him. BUT… this is a classic example to batters of how they must be aware of what else is happening in the game because they have an obligation to make every attempt to avoid getting in the catcher's way when he/she is making a play. So, if the umpire judged that the batter's indifference caused the catcher to hesitate on the throw or even any confusion and thus a safe play at 3rd, he has the right to call the batter for interference.
Posted 6/4/2009 Question: With a runner on third, the pitch gets by the catcher and bounces off the backstop, the runner starts to advance. What is the ruling if, in the act of getting out of the way to allow the runner to steal home, the batter makes contact with the ball? Is the play then ruled dead, or is it accidental contact and the run is allowed if the baserunner crosses the plate safely?	Answer: This would be a judgment call by the umpire. If the ump judged that the batter intentionally interfered or simply made no attempt to get out of the way, he could call the runner out for batter interference. The batter is required to do all in his/her power to avoid interfering with the play and the ump would simply have to make the judgment. When the batter leaves the batter's box to avoid a play, they must be very aware of what they are doing so as to not interfere. Strolling out of the box with no awareness of the ball could be interpreted as making no attempt to get out of the way. Conversely, if they are looking for the ball and catcher to avoid both and they simply cannot avoid contact, they most likely would not be called for interference. This is a tough call for any umpire because he must make the call quickly as he sees it.
Posted 6/1/2009 Question: How much of an attempt must a batter make at not getting hit by the pitch?	Answer: Enough to convince the umpire. It is a judgment call on his part. I have seen instances where a young batter froze when she saw the ball coming at her and the umpire still gave her the base so it is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire.
Posted 5/24/2009 Question: I watched the video explaining the infield fly rule. It said that if it is determined that the defensive player appears to be able to make the catch, the batter will be called out before the catch is made (or is not made). I understand that this is to protect the offensive team from having a double or triple play against them because the runners may advance at their own risk, but how can an out called against a batter still stand when the other team does not make the catch? Please explain this rule for me in baseball-for-dummies style. Thanks.	Answer: There are several instances in baseball or softball where runners are called out when the defense didn't actually tag them or catch the ball. Interference is one that comes to mind. But, in the case of the Infield Fly Rule, the Rules Committees back in history who devised this rule were reacting to real situations that occurred in real games where the offense was put at a disadvantage through no fault of their own. Teams would intentionally drop a pop up or simply let a pop up drop on the infield and then proceed to make a double or triple play. This rule was an attempt to even the playing field. In short, by calling out "Infield Fly, the batter is out", the umpire is telling the runners that they do not have to run if they choose not and alerting the defense that even if the ball drops, the force out possibility is gone. The rules committees didn't take all of the trickery out of the game because they left in the opportunity for the defense to let the ball fall untouched to try to get the runners to run. In this case the runners are still vulnerable if they decide to run but they did take away the situation where the defense touches the ball and intentionally drop it. In this case, the runners cannot be called out but must stay at their original base. I hope this clears the confusion. I actually lost two state championships due to umpires not knowing how to correctly call this rule so don't feel bad not totally understanding this one.
Posted 5/24/2009 Question: In Minor B softball, can a runner steal more than one base?	Answer: In short, according to the rule book, the runners can steal as many bases as they want. BUT, because most teams at this level didn't try to throw out base runners who tried to steal second because they didn't want them to score if there was an overthrow, a local rule was passed. This rule states that if the defense tries to throw out a runner who is attempting to steal second and there is an overthrow and the defense doesn't attempt to throw her out at third base, the runner must stop at third base.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: Suppose at the point of bat to ball contact all of the following happens: catcher's interference, infield fly rule called and the batter steps out of the box. What is the call?	Answer: When things happened determines what is called. In your hypothetical situation, everything happened at once. Therefore catcher's interference would have killed the play and the batter would be awarded first base.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: Do both of the batter's feet have to remain in the batter's box during an at-bat?	Answer: If either of the batter's feet make contact with the ground completely outside the box (lines included) and the batter hits the ball with the bat (foul or fair) the batter is out. So the answer to your question is YES.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: In A-ball, if the runner is going home and the ball hits the catcher and bounces off and while he is going to get it, the runner hits and trucks him, should he be out?	Answer: If I understand your question correctly, the question is whether the runner can run over the catcher if he/she does not have the ball waiting to make a tag (regardless of who touched the ball last). If that is your question, then the answer is that no runner is allowed to intentionally run over a defensive player who is in his/her way. Also, no defensive player is allowed to block the path of the runner unless he/she has the ball waiting to make a tag. In this case, the runner would be safe for catcher obstruction and then ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: Is it hard being an umpire? Does everyone listen to you no matter what?	Answer: It is fun being an umpire when everyone remembers that it is just a game but knowing and understanding all of the rules and how they are connected is hard work. It takes study, experience and believe it or not, I am still stumped by some situations that occur in some games. As to whether or not people listen to you… if you know the rules and are consistent in your calling of the rules regardless of the circumstances, I find that umpires usually get a lot of respect even when fans and coaches disagree with your judgment calls. It is when a coach, fan or player forgets that we are here to PLAY that an umpire questions if it is worth the effort.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: What would happen if a player was running the bases and ran into the fielder and he dropped the ball would the runner be safe or out?	Answer: Out. Runners must give way to fielders who are in the act of fielding the ball. However, a fielder who is not actually fielding the ball must give way to the runner or be called for obstruction.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: At what levels of play are you allowed to steal home?	Answer: At any level where the coach is not pitching to the batter or the batter is not hitting from a tee.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: With one out and the bases loaded, the batter hits the ball to the third baseman who tags third then throws to the second baseman who tags second. The runner from third touches home plate before the last out is made. Does the run count?	Answer: No, because both plays were force outs. Had the play been reversed and runner A was forced out at second and then the runner B was tagged out at third, the run would count if it occurred before the third out.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: If a ball is hit and it hits the bottom of the foul pole and the fence what is the ruling on that?	Answer: Live ball. The foul pole is in play.
Posted 5/19/2009 Question: What do you do if it is storming and lightning and the game is tied?	Answer: If the Umpire In Chief determines that the weather is dangerous or the field is unplayable, he will suspend the game until the weather clears or the field is made playable. If the weather is so severe or the field cannot be fixed so it is safe, he must then determine the "status" of the game. [How many innings have been played? What level of play is this (majors, Jr/Sr)? When the score became tied?] If the game has gone beyond the 4th inning in majors/minors or the 5th inning in Jr/Sr, then the game has reached a point where it can become official if someone is ahead. If a tie game is at the end of an inning the answer is simple, this game would be suspended until a later date at which time it would be resumed from the point of suspension. If however, the game was not at the end of the inning, the score would revert back to the last completed inning score and the tie could be broken. It can get quite complicated but basically, when a game cannot be completed and it is officially tied, you suspend the game and finish it later.
Posted 5/13/2009 Question: If a ball is hit to the fence and an outfielder climbs the fence and catches the ball but falls over the fence, is it a homerun or an out?	Answer: In this case the batter would be out and any runners who are on base would be granted one base.
Posted 5/13/2009 Question: What is the penalty for all players to not be dressed the same or for all the players not to have their hats?	Answer: In LL baseball, it is mandatory that all players have their hats/visors (all alike) on when they play defense. The penalty is, you don't get to go on the field without it. I have seldom seen this rule enforced except at the post season (tournament or All Stars) level. In softball, IF you wear a cap or visor, it must be like everyone else but it is not mandatory in softball to wear anything on your head.
Posted 5/13/2009 Question: Can you slide at first base?	Answer: You may slide feet first at any base in LL when you are going forward and may slide feet or head first when returning to any base. At the Jr/Sr level of LL baseball of softball, you may slide head first going either way at any base.
Posted 5/11/2009 Question: How many people can be on a baseball team?	Answer: For Little League Major (A Ball) and Jr/Sr divisions, teams many not have less than 12 or more than 15 players on their roster. Minor Leagues (B & C) and T Ball have no restrictions placed by Little League. Local leagues can place restrictions if they wish so long as no restriction exceeds a written rule from Little League.
Posted 5/5/2009 Question: In C-Ball is there an actual rule that states the player pitcher must be within the dirt area of the mound? It seems a coach should have the option of moving his pitcher back if he is concerned for his safety.	Answer: In LL baseball and softball, (unless a local rule is passed to change it) the pitcher and catcher are the only players who have a designated place to be when the pitch is made. The pitcher must be on the mound and the catcher must be in the catcher's box. If a league wants to add rules that restrict outfielders to the grass beyond the baselines or allow the pitcher to move elsewhere when the pitch is made, then they must make it official. Otherwise, the rule state that the pitcher must be on the mound and the catcher must be in the box.
Posted 4/28/2009 Question: Judgment calls, which are not subject to reversal, include: steal and other tag plays (except if the ball is dropped without the umpire's knowledge; force plays (when the ball is not dropped and foot is not pulled); balls and strikes (other than check swings). Is this an official little league rule on the reversal of judgment calls? If so, it appears that a judgment call of safe at first base should not be reversed. Is this correct?	Answer: What this means is that, if a manager believes that something happened during a call by an umpire that where the calling umpire might not have had a clear view, the manager can ask that the calling umpire ask for help from his partner. If the calling umpire asks for help, the other umpire(s) can assist or reverse the call.
Posted 4/28/2009 Question: Are you allowed to lean in to a pitch?	Answer: A batter who, in the judgment of the umpire, leans in on purpose and is hit by a pitch can be denied a free pass to first base. In such case the pitch would also be called a ball or strike as judged by the plate umpire. Batters must at least attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch.
Posted 4/26/2009 Question: When a pitched ball hits a batters hands is that considered a foul ball?	Answer: If the batter attempted to hit the ball with the bat OR her/his hands were in the strike zone when they got hit, it is not a hit batsman but is either a foul or fair ball depending on where the ball goes. If no attempt was made to hit the ball (umpire's judgment) and the hands were outside the strike zone, it is a dead ball, hit batsman, runner goes to first.
Posted 4/26/2009 Question: If a runner on first leaves to early and the batter hits the ball and hits a triple what is the penalty for the runner leaving to early or is there one?	Answer: In softball the runner is out, dead ball, no pitch and therefore the batter must return to the plate and bat (assuming that was not the third out). In Little League baseball, the rules are different and it depends on the play as to what would happen. The baseball rule basically states that when a base runner leaves early, the runner(s) can only advance as far as they are forced by the batter/runner. In this case the run would count because the batter/runner made a triple. If the batter/runner had only made a double, the runner would have been returned to third and the run would not count. This is one of the most complicated rules in Little league Baseball and there is over a page full of situations that spell out what would happen. If you want to read them all, you will find one situation where a runner is taken off the bases, no runs count and everybody is safe. Strange but true.
Posted 4/26/2009 Question: Can the pitcher stop in the middle of a pitch?	Answer: If a pitcher stops his/her motion after starting it, he/she is charged with an illegal pitch which is then declared a ball. If the pitcher actually stops in the middle of the pitch and then delivers the pitch before the umpire declares "illegal pitch", the batter can attempt to hit the ball with no worry about getting out because after the play, his/her manager would get to decide if they wanted the play to stand or have the pitch counted as a ball and continue the at bat.
Posted 4/24/2009 Question: Does every player on the team have to wear their hat when they are on the field?	Answer: In softball the rule says that they may wear a visor or cap but they do not have to. IF they wear one it must be like all others being worn by the team. In baseball, if anyone wears a cap, everyone must wear a cap and it must be identical in color and design.
Posted 4/24/2009 Question: How many pitches can a pitcher throw in game?	Answer: Age 11-12: 85 pitches/day Age 9-10: 75 pitches/day Age 7-8: 50 pitches/day Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit above for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. Note: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest and a game must be observed. If a player pitches 41 - 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest and a game must be observed. If a player pitches 21 - 40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed. If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest must be observed. Players that have a league age of 12 cannot pitch in minor leagues.
Posted 4/23/2009 Question: In minor B softball, when a pitcher starts an inning and a coach pulls her out because the top of our line up is coming up and puts in a new pitcher, how does that inning count for a pitcher? Both pitchers have used an inning each?	Answer: Any time ANY pitcher at any level of Little League baseball or softball, throws one pitch to a batter, that counts as an inning pitched for that pitcher. No matter how many pitchers pitch in an inning, each of them is credited with an inning against their total for the week.
Posted 4/22/2009 Question: Is a tie considered a loss or a win?	Answer: Because of time constraints in minor league baseball and softball at Northern Little League, ties are possible. They count as 1/2 win and 1/2 loss. So, a team who has played 14 games (won 8/lost 6) would have a .571 wins average. If that team had played 14 games but tied one (won 7.5/lost 6.5) the average would be .536.
Posted 4/22/2009 Question: Can a pitcher warm up with a player and what if the pitcher is warming up with a coach but is not the manager?	Answer: After entering the field for a game, no one but a player on that team may warm up a pitcher until that game is complete. (No manager, coach, parent, big sister etc) Any player who warms up a pitcher by getting into a catcher's squatting position must wear a catcher's helmet, face guard and dangling type throat guard whether they are inside or outside the field of play. If any players exit the field of play to warm up, an adult must supervise the action for safety sake.
Posted 4/21/2009 Question: In minor B softball, does the runner have to stop running when the pitcher has the ball in the circle?	Answer: No. In B League softball, if runner A is moving forward, having the pitcher just hold the ball in the circle does nothing to stop the play. HOWEVER... if runner A stops on a base, after the pitcher is holding the ball in the circle and not making a play on any runner, runner A cannot reverse her direction or start again toward the next base. Stopping and restarting in either direction between bases will result in her being called out under the hesitation rule.
Posted 4/20/2009 Question: In A-Ball how many runs can be scored in an inning?	Answer: There is no limit in A-Ball.
Posted 4/20/2009 Question: A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. Junior, Senior, and Big League Divisions only: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game. Does this mean a B-Ball pitcher can pitch 40 or less pitches move to catcher and then come back in as a pitcher in the same game?	Answer: Jr/Sr League is for the 13-16 year olds and only in that league (baseball) can a pitcher leave the mound and return in the same game. In softball, the rule regarding leaving the mound and returning applies to all levels.
Posted 4/20/2009 Question: Where is the strike zone in baseball? Smaller kids, 4', are having strikes called at the chest when kids 5' or taller are not.	Answer: The official strike zone is from the top of the knees to the arm pits while over the plate. Truth be known, however, a strike is when the umpires says it is a strike.
Posted 4/20/2009 Question: Can you steal a base when a batter gets walked?	Answer: During a walk, the ball is alive and yes a runner can steal.
Posted 4/7/2009 Question: If the definition of a bunt is a batted ball not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly and a mere holding the bat in the strike zone is not an attempted bunt. What if the batter gets hit with the pitch in the waist while having backwards motion trying to prevent getting hit but the bat is still in the bunting position and the ball is not in the strike zone over the plate?	Answer: In this case, the umpire has to make a judgment as to whether the batter tried to strike the ball with the bat. If not, then the batter should get first base (hit batter). If he did attempt to strike the ball with the bat and not just protect him/herself from being hit, it doesn't matter where the ball or bat was when it hit the batter (strike).
Posted 4/7/2009 Question: When a base runner is hit by a batted ball, is the base runner out?	Answer: If the batted ball has passed the last infielder who had a chance to field the ball, there is no penalty for being hit by a batted ball. If the ball had not passed the last infielder with a chance to field it, the runner is out…dead ball…no runners advance.
Posted 4/7/2009 Question: In c-ball shouldn't the coaches have to pitch from the pitcher mound?	Answer: The rules state that the coach pitcher will start the pitch from a pitcher’s plate that is 35 feet from home plate. Most LL umpires, during regular season, will allow the coach pitcher to move forward to pitch to help the batters make contact. (This is in fact an instructional level league) If both teams are allowed to do this, there is no advantage to one or the other so it is allowed (by most umpires). However, the coach pitcher must start from a point directly between the pitcher’s plate and home plate and not off to one side or the other.
Posted 4/7/2009 Question: If the first baseman tags the bag right when the runner tags the bag is he out?	Answer: If you are asking if the "tie goes to the runner"… umpires are taught that there is no such thing as a tie and he should make the call as he sees it. Either the ball or the runner got there a split millisecond before the other.
Posted 4/7/2009 Question: Can a game end in a tie?	Answer: If after time has expired in B or C girls, the score is tied at the end of the inning... the official game result is a tied game.