AboutAndrew Senger Expertise Anything related to baseball rules.
Experience I am a baseball umpire. I am certified for High School (NFHS), and work in Missouri (MSHSAA). I also umpire for local leagues that use both NFHS and OBR.
Organizations NFHS - National Federation of High Schools
MSHSAA - Missouri State High School Athletic Association
GSLAU - Greater St. Louis Association of Umpires
Education/Credentials I have attended numerous training lessons on umpiring. Many of these lessons including Rules Interpretations.
Question I am President of the Royal Belgian Baseball & Softball Federation (www.frbbs.be).
I would have an urgent question to submit regarding an extremely sensitive case we will be hearing tonight during a Federation Board Meeting. Here it is:
In the 8th inning, with 2 outs and all bases full, the hitter hit a shallow line drive into left center field. Upon the diving catch by the centerfielder, the plate umpire calls the batter out on the catch and the team on defense start leaving the field. Strong protests immediately come out of the opposing team and upon protest by their Manager, the plate umpire then consults the field umpire, who indicates that the ball had previously touched the ground. The Plate umpire then proceeded to reverse his call and the crew together decided that the runner on 3rd base had scored and that all runner had advanced 1 base.
My question is as follows: how is rule 9.02 to be interpreted and applied? If 'out' calls cannot be protested as outlined in rule 9.02a, then why does rule 9.02b allow it and 9.02c allow call reversals?
What would be your judgment? Were the umpires correct and did they act appropriately in regards of the rules?
Thank you very much in advance for your urgent assistance and support.
Best regards,
Answer Jerome,
Overall, the umpires did exactly what their job expects them to do: Officiate the game in a fair way.
In the past, it was expected that umpires would not change a call. However, in recent years, a lot of organizations have tried to instill an idea of "Get the call right every time" to their umpires. This includes asking another umpire if they saw the call a different way.
However, I should add that this can only be used in rare instances. We shouldn't ask our partner on EVERY call if it was different, but ones where the umpire making the call isn't completely sure they made the right one. Also, umpires should remember that calls should only be changed when the other umpire knows without a doubt.
