 |
Author |
TOPIC: unsportsmanship conduct video |
|
| mIchael Durkin
November 3, 2011
10:37:29 PM
Entry #: 3830644
| To me by rule it would be obstruction by the first baseman, she should abandon the base when there is no play being made at 1st base. BUT!!!!
As I looked at the video in real time and slow motion. You can clearly see the runner as she was about to make contact with the 1st baseman " LOWER HER SHOULDER AND THROW HER SHOULDER INTO THE 1st BASEMAN"
To me if I was umpiring and had seen that type of play. I would have ruled that the runner would be ejected from the game for flagrant and
unsportsmanship conduct. She wanted and intended to hurt the 1st baseman, In my opinion.
|
| Michael J. Boylan
November 4, 2011
8:58:53 AM
Entry #: 3830755
| After veiwing this video my constructive remarks would be that first, plate umpire rules catch and an out, then base umpire, providing he is following his proper mechanics, calls time, rules obstruction on first baseman, explains this to first baseman and coach with a warning to her, then rules malicious contact on batter/runner and ejects such player from contest. This is the way it should be handled. Be prepared to have a hot and heavy exchange of words from offensive coach on this ruling and make sure you follow proper protocal on this.
|
|
| Hank
November 4, 2011
8:40:47 PM
Entry #: 3831178
| I agree with Mike's statement. First baseman could be called for obstruction had the runner not intentionally ran into her.If you look closely first baseman had foot on infield part of bag allowing runner the base.Toss the runner!
|
|
| Opa Ump
November 4, 2011
9:19:39 PM
Entry #: 3831193
| The ball was hit to the infield, 2nd baseman. The 1st baseman was setup for a posible throw with her foot on the infield side of the bag, giving the entire bag to the runner. Thyis is no different than a a throw from a ground ball to the infield. I feel the 1st baseman had a right to her position. The runner blatently ran into her and should have been tossed.
|
|
| Michael Durkin
November 5, 2011
12:15:35 AM
Entry #: 3831229
| Guy's, I think that we are all in agreement on this call.
I've been umpiring for many, many years as all of you have been. Let me ask you this. How many times during a game do you have tell the players and the coaches "If the ball isn't being thrown to you, you must allow the runner the right to the base". It make no difference if her foot is on the inside of the base in fair terr. She is cutting off the shortest route to the next base.
Which means that the runner has to avoid the fielder and take a wider turn at the base which could be the difference in being out or safe.
In my opinion is not the players fault. They just haven't been taught the right way to play their position. The coaches spend all the time on hitting ground balls so the players can field and throw to the base. Nothing is being taught on the fact that if the ball is not being thrown to you at your base, what to do and where do you position yourself.
I see this in H.S. ball both boy's and girl's. More in the girls division.
I went this past year to the Little League Eastern Regional Softball Tournament in Bristol, CT. I can't tell you how many times I had to tell the players " If the ball isn't being thrown to you, you must allow the runner the right to the base". Guess what?. They did the same thing 2 or 3 plays later.
Now, who's fault is that. " The Coaches".
I know that the coaches are all volunteer coaches. Yes, even in H.S., some of the coaches according their contracts must coach a team or activity that they know nothing about. BUT somewhere along the way the coaches must teach this simple rule.
If they don't. Guess What? WE ARE THE BAD GUYS UPHOLDING THE RULES>
Well I think I took up enough of your time if you have read all of this. I hope that some of you know what I'm talking about and shook your heads and said, yeah your right,I see it all the time. If not, then look for it the next game you umpire.
Thanks,
Mike
|
|
| Joe Martin
November 5, 2011
10:15:11 PM
Entry #: 3831607
| This is called a "Cluster" play in which there
are wrongs committed both ways. The first baseman does not belong standing on the bag.
She doesn't belong there. She will be called for obstruction. The runner has a pop up to
2nd but treats it like a base hit and looking
to round the base. What is she thinking? Double?
Warnings given to both sides! If you think contact is malicious on the runner then she is gone. You will have A LOT of explaining to do on this one!
When explaining, don't back down and don't give in. GIVE IT to each coach, talk about some good technique and express your concern(s). Make sure there is no retaliation. Very tough play.
|
| 1/2 Blind Ump
November 6, 2011
10:55:00 AM
Entry #: 3831875
| TOURNAMENT – Remember folks, during a tournament if you do indeed rule that this incident was “flagrant” or “malicious,” you must then make another decision. Is this ejection for the game, for the day, or for the tournament? You need to notify the field director or tournament director as soon as possible, and they will help make this decision with you.
LEAGUE – Here again, assuming that you’ve ejected this player you should contact your league umpire assigner as soon as possible. The assignor will then pass the information up the “chain of command” to determine if further action is warranted.
|
|
| Perry
November 6, 2011
11:29:16 PM
Entry #: 3832464
| I think that we will see more and more incidents like this, I'm sorry to say. It's a sign of the times and what happens in society most assuredly spills over into sports. More and more coaches, players, and parents bring "attitude" to the game.
|
|
| Dave Kubich
November 9, 2011
7:10:43 AM
Entry #: 3834455
| I would call that malicious contact thats uncalled for and she would have been ejected. The runner eyed her up and had it her mind what she was going to do on that play.
|
|
| Dave Kubich
November 9, 2011
7:13:41 AM
Entry #: 3834456
| Yes Bob Bachman had a good point on telling the defensive coach about all players blocking the bag when no play is being made at any particular base. That preventive umpiring. Good job Bach.
|
|
| Greg
December 30, 2011
7:19:35 AM
Entry #: 3853090
| First time that I've seen this. Actually it's pretty disturbing. Quite frankly, I think because of attitudes, we're going to see more of this.
|
|
| Nov
February 24, 2012
2:28:14 PM
Entry #: 3870628
| this runner not only took aim at the 1B player but launched herself into her! no one can get inside her head but it appears that she felt she had a free shot since the 1B player was on the edge of 1B. malicious contact ALWAYS overrules obstruction or interference! i would call time [provided no other plays were possible], eject the runner, then explain to the offensive coach what i saw, why i made that decision and add that type of play won't be tolerated. i would also speak with the defensive coach about all of that including not tolerating that play so he/she doesn't get the idea of retaliation in their head. now both coaches have been told the exact same things.
as to the "obstruction". 1st - i would not object to an umpire stating that the 1B player was obstructing - that's a judgement. however, in my opinion, she was not. there is no double base and the defender was only on the corner of the bag, allowing the runner 90% of the bag. this was a ball hit to the 2B player! on balls to the IF the runner uses the orange or in this case, the outside of the bag. using the same logic, on a grounder to 2B, the runner could do the same thing and argue if 1B dropped the ball she'd try for 2nd.
after the contest, i'd report to the tournament director what happened, including the launch the runner committed. i feel removal from tournament would be the correct penalty however that is not the umpire's decision, it's the director's, which should be made after speaking to both umpires & both coaches one by one.
lastly, regarding the lack of a double base. this could bring serious legal consequences to us umpires. what if the 1B player was injured? a lawyer could argue the game never should have started because the proper equipment was not installed and we all know that rule is in place for safety reasons. the umpires should actually refuse to work the game without the double base to cover their asses and the tournament director is responsible for making sure the fields have double bases. realistically, would any of us do that, follow through and not work the game? we all have to make choices. this one could have devastating to the player, umpires and director.
sorry for the length, i felt each point should be addressed separately. thank you for commenting
|
|
| Bill
February 24, 2012
8:43:47 PM
Entry #: 3870753
| Thanks for your input, Nov. The more we talk things like this out, the better we handle things like this when they occur.
|
