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Online now: 1 member: TonyA; 10 anonymousDiscussion: What's your call on a bang-bang play at a base?
| Posted | Discussion |
| July 23 CDNSmitty 2 posts | So, you hear it all the time..."Tie goes to the runner!" To which I usually respond, "Yes, if you are in the 6th grade." As an umpire I have always called those really close bang-bang plays as outs. Many/most of my umpire colleagues agree, while most non-umpire ball players seem to want the 'safe' call. I'm curious as to the thoughts of others. CDNSmitty |
| July 23 DaveDowell Men's 70 4326 posts | Since there is no such thing as a "..tie goes to the runner.." provision in ANY rule book, this one is pretty easy ... Whatever the umpire calls is the absolutely correct call and, more important to this Director, is a judgment call not subject to appeal or protest ... If you have a personal philosophy of calling those close ones one way or the other consistently, keep it up! ... Inconsistency is not a good thing for umpires! ... |
| July 23 B.J. 1107 posts | CDN.. I have never thought of it like that.. when I give a clinic I tell umpires .. get in position and stay low .. FOCUS on the runners foot touching the bag and listen for the catch (you cannot focus on both) .. then take 1 sec. to process what you actually saw and let it get to the brain...(for some that takes longer.. lol) and then make the call and sell it |
| July 23 CDNSmitty 2 posts | Dave, I agree. Consistency is key. BJ, I agree, and I do those things. I always hesitate and process, and if the runner CLEARLY beats the throw...well then, they are safe. My discussion springs from one of our playoffs this weekend where I made the call as an out on a bang-bang play. The non-umpiring players all wanted the safe call, but my umpiring peers agreed with my call. I suppose my point is that the perspective of a player/umpire - umpire/player is often better. I know that I have become a much better player having umpired for a time. It makes me appreciate the nuances and, of course, I understand the rules much better. (Also, I appreciate the role of umpires when making calls) That's all. Cheers, eh? |
| July 23 TimMcElroy 943 posts | I can't get behind the theory of all bang-bang plays going to the offense (or defense). I judge each play individually based on what I actually saw happen. |
| July 24 coop3636 514 posts | Hey B.J. Just a little advice on your clinics If you have a crafty first baseman, he will pound his glove before the ball gets there so make the ump "hear" the ball going into his glove. Doesn't happen much, but have seen and heard it many times over the years. (and have done it myself a few times..lol) Just something to teach in your clinics that your new umps need to be aware of. Just my 2 cents coop3636 ps.. selling the call is a great thing to teach also.. |
| July 24 B.J. 1107 posts | thx. coop |
| July 24 Wayne 37 Men's 65 773 posts | What you should do is get to your spot on the infield, Get set and track the ball with your eyes to the glove and not move your head. |
| July 24 B.J. 1107 posts | wayne... sorry ..I'm lost.. hmmm trying to figure this out... ground ball is hit to SS or 2B ..so I get set and track the ball with my eyes and I don't move my head??? well first I have to turn my head to see the play being made since I was facing the batter at the pitch .. now that I've turned my head to the right I'm either looking at the SS or 2B make the catch .. and now I'm suppose to track the ball with my eyes back to 1st base without moving my head... wow you have some different style of umpiring, did they teach you this in baseball umpiring school? |
| July 31 Wayne 37 Men's 65 773 posts | Not what I said, but I totally get the part when you say you're lost. |
