Conduct in the Stands – We have a good thing going at RWLL in that we have great coaches, umpires, scorekeepers and other volunteers setting a great example of sportsmanship for our kids. I know that this isn’t always the case in youth sports – apparently this year’s state youth soccer tournament was a real challenge for organizers in trying to keep parental “enthusiasm” in check. By and large, we’re off to a good start this year, but there have been reports of parents doing a little too much coaching and commentating from the stands, sometimes creating more stress than is healthy for the kids (all divisions).
My take on this is that conduct outside the bounds established by Little League and RWLL is very important, and the coaches and umpires need to be pro-active in stemming negative behavior early. Umpires are encouraged to bring this to the attention of the coach of the team involved, and it is initially the responsibility of the coach to solve any problems. 99% of the time this works effectively and quietly. I don’t want umpires to have to deal with these issues (it’s a tough job already…), but ultimately the umps can take action to remove any individual whose behavior is outside our established norms. Thanks for your help with this.
End of Game – Incomplete Inning – Since this happened recently, a reminder – if a game is called during play (darkness, usually), the score will revert back to last complete inning unless the visiting team has completed their at-bat, and the home team is leading when the game is called (4.10.c.2).
Protesting Games – Please refer to the rulebook on what types of decisions may be protested. Judgment calls (including calling the game on account of darkness) are NOT protestable calls. Protests need to be registered with the lead umpire (usually the plate umpire unless you are told otherwise before the game) BEFORE the next pitch is thrown.
Please exercise some discretion here, and remember not to come on the field to protest or question a call while the ball is still in play. Doing so will result in an automatic ejection – something I really don’t want any of us to deal with if we don’t have to.
Walks – Please remember that the ball is LIVE when a batter is awarded first base on a walk, and the runner can advance beyond 1st at his own risk. We see this a LOT on 1st and 3rd situations, and it is a regular and time–honored strategy.
Time Out – Here is a reminder that time out can be called by either umpire, not just the plate umpire. We had a tough situation the other day in which a loose ball got on the field as a pitch was being delivered. The field ump (correctly) called time out just as the pitch was hit over the Field 2 fence for a home run (ouch). There are time out decisions (5.10) that are the responsibility of the plate umpire, to be sure, but in this case the field umpire made a call in the interest of safety that was appropriate. In this case, the home run does not count, and the batter resumes at the same count as before the time-out.
Infield Fly – Another quick reminder that runners can advance on an infield fly – they can advance at risk that the ball is caught and the runner is doubled off, or they can retouch the base and advance when the ball is touched (not necessarily caught) by a fielder. In other words, a runner is free to advance on a bobbled infield fly when first touched as opposed to being caught. This is a tough call!
In AAA, be aware that umpires have been instructed to be very cautious about invoking infield fly rules – the whole thing about assuming a ball will be caught with reasonable effort is, um, pretty tricky with young players….
AAA
Passed Ball – A passed ball is a pitched ball that has gotten past the catcher, in the judgment of the umpire. Runners may advance to second or third on a passed ball, but no further. Catchers are to be given some credit for blocking a ball in front or to the side. Whether a ball is swung at or not has no bearing on whether a passed ball has occurred.
Advancing to home – Under our rules this year, a runner can advance home from third ONLY as the result of a ball hit into play. Yes, a runner can tag on a pop foul. Yes, a runner can be awarded home on a throw out of play AFTER the ball has first been hit.
· NO, a runner cannot “dance” at third in order to draw an errant throw. This is delay of game, and the runner is liable to be called out after a warning.
· NO, a runner cannot advance on a passed ball pitched by a coach. This one becomes obvious with a little “visualization”!!!!
One of the effects of this rule change is that catchers are being encouraged to throw the ball without the risk of having the whole world score on a bad throw. A catcher can attempt a pick-off at third under these rules and not have to worry about a throw into left field allowing that runner to score.
Thanks and continue to feel free to call me or email with any questions.
Phil Miller
Redmond West Little League
Baseball Umpire-in-Chief