Rules the average fan doesn't know

catchers balk.

On a routine play where the fielder throws to the first baseman, if the first baseman drops the ball...it is fielder number-e3....i.e. 6-e3 or 4-e3...

The top of the strike zone is NOT the belt.

Does any umpire out there above Little league level actually call it that way-nope.

quote:

Originally posted by hokieone:
The top of the strike zone is NOT the belt.

Does any umpire out there above Little league level actually call it that way-nope.

I do

Fielders Balk.

quote:

Fielders Balk

Goes by various names including that.

Very rare. You'll see almost no mentions of it on the web. Occurs when a fielder is off the field when ball is in play.

I just saw it called. One player went over to talk to the ump. The pitcher, not noticing, threw a pitch.

The rule is simple. Figuring out the penalty is not. Umps give a base, like a pitchers balk, or call a ball or give a warning. Rules don't mention a penalty as I recall.

there is no penalty for a fielders balk..........just a "don't do that"......call time, have the player step into fair territory and play on........

Only the pitchers mom wants the Rule book zone called...and only when he is pitching and not hitting......all coaches and players would freak out if an umpire were to call the armpits to knees......

Rule most don't know....

The ball is live on an Infield fly......

The biggest glove (MLB rules) a fielder is allowed to use is 12". NFHS allows 14".

Only time I point out a fielders balk is when the third baseman is holding a runner. My runners like most lead off in foul territory and some coaches in our league have the third basemen stand in foul territory so the runners have a hard time getting back on a pick. Piaa and micdsguy are correct there is no penalty I just am trying to prevent getting picked and using this rare of rules to help my players.

But I thought it was down in foul back in fair?

It is foul to fair, when 3B is standing with 1 foot in foul ground the other fair over the bag to begin with young players aren't aggressive enough to go through him to the bag, when a pick comes from the pitcher. Catchers have a lousy time picking my runners when 3B does this he takes away the trowing lane of his catcher, but blocks out the base when the pitcher throws over. I coach 11-12 yo. They are learning but it is tough to get them to go through 3b, it may be a class mate of his he does want to get hurt or hurt his friend and I don't want that either. The game should be fun at that age.

Are you saying your 3B hold runners on the same fashion a 1B does?

Not mine, but other coaches have them do something similar, Right foot is in foul territory home plate side of the bag (Fielders Balk) left foot is next to the inside corner of the base closest to the pitcher, straddling the base. This sets up the 3bm to be right in the way of a runner trying to get back on a pick, if he gets there after the throw OK, but before...

My 3b stands 1 to 2 steps off the bag and when the pick is called he watches the pitch from the corner of his eyes doing his best to keep his head looking forward to avoid giving away the pick.

HotCornerDad,

No disrespect, but I cringe when ever I see a third baseman holding a runner at 3B.

How many people actually do this? Has anyone ever seen this done at a very high level?

No offence taken, because my 3b stays off the bag and the rest of the league stands on top of it other coaches don't think we are holding their runners and take more chances. I only do this at a lower level because I can catch people sleeping. Our 14U does not hold runners at 3rd 90' bases are harder to take home on steals or pass balls. We picked 7 at third this year from the mound. As the boys get older and the field gets bigger the ability to catch a runner, or 3b coach for that matter sleeping goes down.

Three bases awarded to runner when defensive player deliberatly touches the ball in play with his hat or detached glove.

I love the look on my players faces when I tell that that one.....

How about starting a thread on rules the average umpire doesn't know...

there is never a shortage of bash the umpire threads on here....

Pick one and post your particular complaint ...

Hokay...

This year I've seen an ump (at HS or HS age ball) say -
The hands are part of the bat.

A ball was foul because it bounced off the plate.

A run didn't score because the last out was a force, when the last out was made at third on R1. R1 was trying to stretch from first to third on a sac fly after a play at the plate (e.g., no force).

A batter who swung at a pitch that hit him was awarded first because any time a batter is hit he gets a free base, no matter what.

There was no interference call because the runner has a right to the basepath.

Shall I keep going?

And by the way, even in D1 ball in these parts I see strikes called above the belt. Bottom of the letters seems to be the most consistent top of the zone.

There are some good umps. Just too much fun to pick on the lazy ones.

A rather obscure one cost Vincennes, IN a sectional title this weekend against Jasper, IN. It's the 9th inning the score is 0-0, a V runner is coming into home to score, ending the ballgame, he is just a couple of feet from home when he takes off his batting helmet and the ump calles him out. Jasper wins 1-0 in 14 innings.

Another rule that has no business in the book.

especially because it isnt in the book......As long as we are talking NFHS rules.....removing the helmet in live ball territory is a warning for the first time and ejection for the second time.......

no out.......never......

quote:

Originally posted by cong:
Three bases awarded to runner when defensive player deliberatly touches the ball in play with his hat or detached glove.

I love the look on my players faces when I tell that that one.....

That just happened the other night in the pros.
On a line drive ,the pitcher threw his glove at the ball.

quote:

Originally posted by cong:
Three bases awarded to runner when defensive player deliberatly touches the ball in play with his hat or detached glove.

I love the look on my players faces when I tell that that one.....

I believe the three bases is only awarded if the ball is a fair ball.

quote:

Originally posted by cong:
Three bases awarded to runner when defensive player deliberatly touches the ball in play with his hat or detached glove.

I would believe that's 3 bases on a batted ball, 2 on a thrown ball.

I read in the paper today where you are right, there should have been a warning, but in the state of IN there is no appeal process, the decision stands.