Whats the correct call?

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_Dave:
Tournament game this weekend. MLB rules 11U kids.

My batter hits a ball in front of home plate towards 3rd base line, drops his bat and heads towards first. Ball has alot of spin on it and comes back towards middle of field / 1st base line and contacts the bat now laying on the field. catcher throws ball away and my runner gets to third and then is over ruled by field ump calling it a foul ball. and after the game tells me he could have called my kid out since the bat was in fair territory when the ball hit it. I was under the impression that once the bat is on the ground it is part of the playing field. Thanks in advance for your input.

So this "umpire" tells you that he gave you a break by not making the correct call?

Well, he was half right, he didn't make the correct call, but the call he claims he could have made was also incorrect.

There is a difference between ball hitting the bat and bat hitting the ball. Fair ball...play on.

If the ball hits the bat, as in this case, it is a live ball. If the bat hits the ball, dead ball,BR is out, any other runners return.
I love guys that like to show their rules knowledge and doesn't have a clue.

I like that he called it a foul ball, then says the ball hit the bat in fair territory.

This is why we get bad reputations.

For those of you with far greater umpiring experience than I, it's probable you've actually seen this. What's the mechanic? A simple "fair ball" point, or a statement of "That's nothing" and a safe sign, or something else?

I haven't seen it yet, but I know I will one day. I'd hate to look like I'm unsure.

quote:

Originally posted by yawetag:
For those of you with far greater umpiring experience than I, it's probable you've actually seen this. What's the mechanic? A simple "fair ball" point, or a statement of "That's nothing" and a safe sign, or something else?

I haven't seen it yet, but I know I will one day. I'd hate to look like I'm unsure.

Showing a safe sign and saying "That's nothing" let's everyone know you saw it and play on. So, point fair. Give safe sign and say "That's nothing". And, point fair again. This will let everyone know you are very confident in your call and that you saw it hit the bat. Even if questioned, it should be brief b/c it is in their mind that you know what happened.

Of course, the timing to get all of that done in such a short period of time can be a little tricky. But, that is how I would handle it. Just pointing fair may "appear" like you didn't see it hit the bat.

As a trainer of umpires, this stuff just kills me....(and I know MST amd Jimmy probably cringed when reading it as well.)

Both his calls were wrong....the one he made, (foul) and then the one he said he could have called (calling batter out)....and whats more wrong to me is his judgment in making a call....he calls one thing then says he could have called it another way....so what criteria is he using to make other calls?.......certainly not the rule book....

As said above the call should be... fair ball play on!....

if he was just rules challenged I can teach the correct ruling.....I can not teach judgment....and I cant teach out an incorrect view on what an umpire is supposed to do.....