ESBUA meeting 4/18/2022 ANSWERS
Question 1
R3 1 Out. 3-2 count to batter, B2.
F1 does not come to a complete stop before delivering pitch from the set position. Base umpire properly calls a balk. The pitch is delivered to the batter who swings and misses at a ball in the dirt. The ball gets deflects off of the catcher about 10 feet up the first base line into foul territory. BR takes off for 1B and R3 breaks for home. F1 receives the throw from F2 and tags R3 before he touches home, then throws to F4 who tags BR
At the conclusion of play, what is your ruling? How many outs are there now? Where are runners placed, if play doesn’t stand as is? What if anything could have been done by either umpire during the play?
Once the balk is called, the ball is immediately dead and no further playing action can occur. R3 is awarded home and the batter resumes the current at bat, still with a 3-2 count. At the time of the balk call, the base umpire should announce “That’s a balk. Time.” At this point, the base umpire and plate umpire should hold up both hands and keep announcing “Time” if playing action is continued.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 2-3, 6-1-3 PENALTY
CASE BOOK 6.1.1 SITUATION B
Question 2
R2 (winning run) 2 Outs. 0-0 count to new batter, B2. Bottom 7th, tie score
Upon the delivery of the pitch, R2 attempts to steal 3B. B2 swings and misses at the pitch, but makes contact with F2’s glove. The plate umpire properly signals catcher’s interference. F2’s throw sails over the head of F5 and down the LF line. R2 takes off for home, but is tagged out by F2 who receives the throw by F7.
At the conclusion of play, what is your ruling? How many outs are there now? Where are runners placed, if play doesn’t stand as is?
The penalty for Catcher Obstruction is only ignored if the batter-runner AND all base runners advance one base. Since the result of the pitch did not result in B2 acquiring 1B, the offensive coach would have the right to either elect to have the obstruction penalty enforced or take the result of the play. Should the coach wish to have the obstruction penalty enforced, BR is awarded 1B and R2 is awarded 3B (since he was attempting to steal on the pitch).
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
CASE BOOK 8.1.1 SITUATION O
Question 3
R1 and R3 1 Out 0-0 count to batter, B4.
With the infield playing in, B4 hits a sharp ground ball to the right side of the infield. R3 holds his position, but R1 is attempting to advance to 2B. F4 fields the ball and then tags R1 in the head with excessive force. F4 then throws to F3 who catches the throw before BR touches 1B.
At the conclusion of play, what is your ruling? How many outs are there now at the conclusion of play? Where should runners placed?
F4 is guilty of malicious contact and should be ejected from the game. Since F4 tagged R1 out at the same moment the malicious contact took place, R1 should be declared out and the ball becomes dead immediately. B4 is awarded 1B. Since R3 was not attempting to score, R3 shall remain at 3B. R3 should have been scored only if he was attempting to score when the batted ball was put into play.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 3-3-1 m PENALTY
CASE BOOK 8.3.3 SITUATION O
Question 4
R1 and R2 0 Out 0-0 count to batter, B3.
B3 hits a ground ball to F6. F6 flips the ball to F4 in time to retire R1. Then F4’s throw, in an attempt to retire BR for a double play, goes into dead ball territory. R2 advances to 3B and then scores. BR advances to 2B. Before the next play, the Defensive Head Coach asks the umpire to check to see if B3’s bat was legal. After inspecting the bat, PU determines that B3 was using an illegal bat.
As Plate Umpire what are the penalties enforced? How many outs are there?
The defense would actually have the option of taking the result of the play, if they wished. However, the penalty for using an illegal bat would be enforced. The batter, B3, would be ruled out and R1 and R2 would be returned to their respective bases at the time of pitch.
Also, the head coach would be restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 4-1-3 b, Rule 7-4-1 a
CASE BOOK 7.4.1 SITUATION D
Question 5
R1 1 Out 3-2 count to batter, B2.
On the full count pitch, B2 takes a half swing. The ruling on the pitch is a ball. R1 begins to trot to 2B. F2 throws the ball to F4, who tags R1 before he reaches 2B. The Defensive Head Coach asks PU to check with BU to see if in his judgment, B2 attempted to swing. BU rules that B2 did, in fact, make an attempt to strike at the pitch and says, “Yes, he did.”
As Plate Umpire what is your ruling? How many outs are there now?
PU shall declare B2 out, but will return R1 back to 1B. The PU can rectify any situation in which an umpire’s decision that was reversed has placed a base runner in jeopardy.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 10-2-3 l
CASE BOOK 10.2.3 SITUATION H
