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| June 3, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Just wondering on a ruling GMC.. it’s not always an appeal play .. if this was the batter/runner advancing to first base and since the fifth run scored, he didn’t go all the way to 1B and entered the dugout.. upon entering the dugout. the umpire should call him out and all runners would return to the base they were on before the hit |
| June 3, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Just wondering on a ruling GMCinCOS.. that was an incorrect call by the umpire.. he should never have made the call unless it was appealed by the defense.. if not appealed the runner is assumed to have touched the base 5.7 • SCORING OF RUNS A. One run shall be scored each time a runner crosses the scoring line or touches the scoring plate, after legally touching all bases in proper order. B. No run shall be scored if the third out of the half-inning is the result of: 1.A batter-runner being called out prior to reaching first base or any other runner forced out due to the batter becoming a batter-runner. 2. A runner being put out by a tag or live ball appeal play prior to the lead runner crossing the scoring line or touching the scoring plate. 3. A preceding runner is declared out on appeal involving a force play. |
| May 22, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: on deck batter hit by thrown ball john.. since i stopped traveling I mostly umpire now in The Villages Fla. and yes are fences are at least 20 ft. from the base line and yes we do have on deck circles that are about 15 ft from base line .. and per Larry's answer for the bat position and the on deck batter he said bat and ODbatter were JUST inside the foul line in foul territory WHERE HE DOES NOT BELONG.. so a throw coming in from the right side of the infield even if it was a bit in foul territory it doesn't mean that the catcher couldn't stretch out or even take a step to make the catch.. bottom line to this whole problem was that the ODbatter would not have and could not have interfered with the throw if he was standing in his on deck circle/area where he belonged.. btw you posted about the INT. was not intentional.. the act of Int. does not have to be intentional.. |
| May 22, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: on deck batter hit by thrown ball as i stated above it's not the batters job to be picking up the discarded bat.. ESPECIALLY since it was just inside the 1st base line .. the batter should have remained in the on deck AREA which is normally about 20/25feet away from the base line .. John you forgot to cite the rule stating that it's the on-deck batters job to clear the batters bat from the field of play while the play is going on. |
| May 20, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: on deck batter hit by thrown ball John.. I just answered with what info I had.. you are correct there are normally no ondeck circles drawn BUT the batters usually know they need to be way off to the side near their dugout..in fact in every game I umpire I give a pregame warning to MGR's to keep ODbatters out of the way especially on the 3B side.. in the scenario it says the ODbatter came out too retrieve the bat "WHICH IS NOT HIS JOB" he's suppose to stay out of the way near his dugout .. I need you to cite the rule stating the ODbatter should pick up a bat (that is WRONG).. in most cases I usually see the catcher bend over and toss the bat out of the way if he has time .. and in this scenario it stated the ball was hit to the outfield.. |
| May 19, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: on deck batter hit by thrown ball Larrys.. there is no particular rule that covers this scenario.. the on deck batter should not be retrieving the bat.. he belongs in/near the on deck circle.. I would have a dead ball and if in my judgment he was in the field of play and interfered with the throw which in your scenario it sounds like he did I would have the runner going home out |
| May 19, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Back foot out rule Donny11.. the rule pertains to when the batter is making actual contact with the ball.. so per your scenario if contact was already made and the ball had left the the bat I would have a legal hit.. again this would be umpire judgment as to when the batters back foot actually crossed the imaginary line defining the front edge of home plate. I never have been a fan of this rule change |
| May 16, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Slide or get out of the way Nancy.. I never said a runner "HAS" to slide.. I stated above (if it is a "CLOSE PLAY" at 2b then the runner should slide "OR VEER OFF" and not touch the bag to avoid a collision) my reply gives them a choice because a runner on a close play going into the bag standing up has a very good chance of bumping into the infielder taking the throw which could bring an INT. call by the umpire and then if in the umpires judgment had the bump not happened a possible second out could be called on the B/R going to 1B .. |
| May 4, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Slide or get out of the way magsdad.. yes you are correct that when the runner stays in his running lane that the defensive can throw straight to 1B and if he happens to hit the runner then I would have a live ball play on and no INT. on the runner .. again he has every right to be in his running lane so what would you call if the runner veers to the right or left and the defensive player came across 2b and then attempts the throw and the runner who veered is now in his way?? would you call him out for INT ?? DD .. did give the ball-stitch pattern on the forehead of the runner reference but he did not say that he would have an INT. call |
| May 4, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Slide or get out of the way hitinrun5.. a base runner is entitled to his running lane as long as he doesn't raise up his arms or swing out his hip (like Reggie Jackson) or bump into the fielder.. if it is a close play at 2B then the runner should slide or veer off and not touch the bag to avoid a collision and should be called safe if in the umpires judgment he would have beaten the throw.. it is up to the fielder to throw over or around him and yes as stated above the runner must avoid a fielder making a play.. |
| April 18, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: You make the call Mango .. NO .. after no one caught the violation that inning and after the next legal or illegal pitch and all defensive players had left the field he became a legal player RULE 4.7 • SUBSTITUTES B1. Offense - If the unreported player is discovered by the defense before the offensive manager, coach or player in violation informs the umpire and: c. He has completed his turn at bat and after the next legal or illegal pitch, or after the defensive team has left the field, the unreported substitute is officially in the game and any advance of a runner as a result of the play is legal. |
| March 13, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: foul tip clarification Larry S .. yes Tim is correct he needs to show control of the ball either rolling the ball into his glove or hand |
| March 6, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Base runner hit by ball after it is tipped off pitchers glove mck71.. I agree with you 100% if the pitcher is making a play on the ball and it goes off his glove and then strikes a runner trying to advance to the next base the runner should not be penalized by calling him out.. the pitcher becomes a fielder as soon as he attempts to try to catch the ball.. Dave you say it depends on whether the runner should be called out?? please cite an example for both calling him out or live ball play on |
| Feb. 18, 2026 B.J. | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Runner missing scoring plate hitrun.. this would an appeal play.. once the 2nd runner touched the scoring plate the 1st runner can no longer legally go back and touch it .. also all runners are assumed to touch any bag that they pass by but if appealed by the defense he would be called out |
| Jan. 31, 2026 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Courtesy runners Randall.. yes he can have a CR |
| Dec. 19, 2025 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: WOW 2026-27 RULE BOOK DD.. I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that the new 2026-27 rule book was already out.. lol have a great holiday |
| Dec. 2, 2025 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Winter Worlds revised rules T2 plates are not the same size.. catcher gets to use the whole strike mat to record an out |
| Nov. 22, 2025 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What is the ruling Nancy.. in the original scenario it would have been easier because the B/R did make it to 1st base and then abandoned his bag.. so no runners would have to return.. in your scenario what a mess with runner not advancing to 1st base...lol... and yes the out would be voided at home and all runners returned.. I had that happen once with bases loaded no outs and 5th run on 3B.. batter worked a walk and never went to 1st thinking the 5th run would score and even if appealed it would only be 1 out.. I returned all the runners and then the next batter hit a ground ball double play.. you can imagine how happy that team was with me.. |
| Nov. 18, 2025 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What’s the Correct Call? Dbax.. you shouldn't need a rule.. just use common sense |
| Nov. 18, 2025 B.J. | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What’s the Correct Call? Dbax.. I have never rewarded extra bases to the team at bat I tell them in the pre-game meeting to keep their gates closed if the defense were to leave thier gate open then I would award the extra bases |
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