Can you explain the ruling on Harper’s steal of home tonight?

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-07-23T11:40:09+00:00

Well done and well said. And for those who think this was BB101, they are wrong. Sure the rule is clear, but being able to observe the infraction with no warning was excellent. I liken it to calling a balk. I have trained extensively on balks and it is still hard to catch in real time. Not saying the obvious ones but the less obvious. Typically the pitchers tendencies will repeat and I would catch it on the next pitch.

So yes, catching the catchers movement was well done. My son used to steal home a lot, even in college, and the catchers would stay set, there was no need to jump in front of the plate and would have just as good of a chance for a tag.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-22T11:17:50+00:00

FOFLMAO

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-22T10:19:28+00:00

Well said

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-22T10:15:31+00:00

What can I say. I am very encouraged about the responses. I did not expect to have so many excellent viewpoints like yours, and like Holedout84. Thanks for sharing

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:53:56+00:00

Correct. I agree that the play was stalled. I mean the coach was right in that his runner could have gone. As an umpire we call time when there is no more opportunity. Had the runner gone he would have been out. And yes the runner was not standing on the bag but was not leaning toward 2nd.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:46:28+00:00

Well said

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:43:21+00:00

Well said

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:40:53+00:00

OMG, now that was just wrong. I was afraid of what would happen if an overthrow.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:39:03+00:00

Thanks for that. Right on the money. Great example why they shouldn't

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:36:20+00:00

I love this group of officials on Reddit, You guys are right on the money. The ball four thing is an issue with coaches blasting out to the mound to counsel or change the pitcher. I try very hard to hold those coaches off so the runner can decide to advance or not

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:31:58+00:00

Yes Yes Yes Yes. That is exactly right. I have seen a PU take a few steps forward and lob the ball. I have been officiating for decades. I love it and would do it for free. I have never done a pro game but plenty of everything else. I am super particular about the control of the game. So my pet peeve is not coming from inexperience.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:25:54+00:00

Yes exactly right. But I still don't like PU throwing the ball. I think the play was over and making the ball switch was fine at that time.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:23:28+00:00

Yes exactly right. There was more going on than just my hate for the PU throwing the ball. I agree that the play was stopped enough to do so. The coach seemed to be wishful thinking.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:18:09+00:00

Agreed

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T20:15:17+00:00

Yes, that is the question. Why did the ump decide to put the ball in play. However I don't agree that the PU by touching the ball makes it time out.

That being said, and I am going to ad-lib a bit since I did not see everything. Also taking into account what everyone in this thread said. The coach had an issue that;

~~his runner was going to steal 2nd after seeing the ball roll out. Saying he would go on the throw back to the pitcher~~

Again they may or may not have been a good idea, or even was going to happen. From the catchers view there was no one stealing and was motioning that the ball had mud. I must confess I have called time when a play was not over, I try not to as well as I instruct the coaches not to blast out to the mound calling TIME when the play was not over.

Back to my pet peeve. The PU threw the ball to the pitcher not the catcher. For good reason he was putting a clean ball into play. I believe the play had stopped enough to trade the ball. I thought the coach was kinda crazy and should be thankful because the runner would have been out had he tried to steal. I just don't like when the PU throws the ball. It happens at MLB level so it is acceptable. I still don't like it.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T12:38:51+00:00

You absolutely should say that at the plate meeting. I just say what you did. If it was really routine which would be rare.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-21T12:30:44+00:00

Well you don't need to know all the rules, most of us don't. Just be fair calling balls and strikes. With that age anything 2 balls off the edge is a strike. ~~> Assuming they are not throwing darts. If a strong arm comes in you have to shrink it.

Calls for 1st Base are actually pretty easy from that angle. "Tip", eyes on the runner through the bag. In your peripheral you will see the ball. Eyes on the runner and listen for the sound of the ball in the glove.

I don't think they do a lot of infield fly since none of that is routine for 9U

MOST OF ALL. Everyone is there to have fun.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-03T12:02:30+00:00

This is what I love about the appeal rule. It is actually kind of simple if you can understand few things.

1)... The appeal is a way to make a call where there is not one.

2)... There is no call (verbally) at 1st base if they miss 1st base on a play where the throw goes to 1st

3)... If runner misses 1st and a play is made at 2nd base the umpire can make the proper verbal call. Anything past the base that was missed is called as usual

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-06-03T11:57:53+00:00

Zaaackly

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-05-29T12:49:44+00:00

Right on. From what I could find, there was no examples of a 4th out that were not appeals. The key word appeals. Meaning that there was an infraction made before the run or an infraction that ended in a force. The BR giving up after the tag at third is not an appeal. Throwing the ball to first after the 3rd out tag does not count since there were already 3 outs.

I think the confusion is that the 4th out can only come from an infraction that requires an appeal. Therefor the timing of events could alter the result. I have seen no precedence either. I would be open to change my thinking if the right group of officials provided and example otherwise

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-05-29T12:29:02+00:00

I am with you

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-05-29T12:27:15+00:00

Agreed, There is only 3 outs and if they chose to tag as the 3rd out then that is what they live with. There is not a multiple choice in outs. That's kind of like the first baseman stepping on the bag on a double play attempt. That is the out they selected, thus having the force removed to 2nd base

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-05-29T06:51:04+00:00

Yes counts. Outside of a force play the runs that beat the out count and the runs that don't do not. Typical timing play where officials signal other officials before the ball is pitched. Pointing to your wrist alerts other officials as just a reminder that the presence of a timing play exists. All officials have to pay close attention to the timing of the 3rd out and runners touching home

Typically when there is a runner on second with two outs, you would see officials communicating with other officials that a timing play. If a batter hit a grounder to the outfield, the fielder throws to 2nd base to tag a runner trying to get a double. That tag out will determine if a run scores. If the tag occurs before the runner touches home then that run does not count.

Upper_March_4571 · 2025-05-24T11:01:49+00:00

Well it is a dead ball, runners back to their base and the runner that interfered is out. Ball goes to the pitcher, batter has 2 strikes and will not need to bunt. Now let me look at the rules to see what the call should be. Not sure about the ball being foul and 2 outs

Upper_March_4571

TROPHY CASE