Baseball Instruction/Half swing and a stolen base

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Expert: - 5/21/2011


Question
Hi there, I'm a catcher and there is a left handed batter up to bat at home plate and he did a half swing, there is also a guy already on first base too...and the umpire behind me called the half swing a ball, so I motioned for a check swing from the first base umpire, the first base umpire called it a strike. So there was confusion because we didn't know if it was a ball or strike. So what is the right call? and what really upsets me is that when I motioned for the first base umpire to make a call on the check swing, the runner that was on first base stole the base and made it to second base! Can the guy on first base run while I'm trying to get the call from the First Base Umpire on the half swing at the home plate.  Nate

Answer
Nate,

The plate umpire is the one that initiates a check swing call.  Even if you want a check, the final decision is up to the home plate umpire.  If the home plate umpire did not ask the base umpire, then it stays a ball.

Also, even on a check swing, the ball is live and in play and runners may advance at their own risk. I would have thrown down to second and still asked for a check on the swing (which you can do).

I hope this has helped.

-Martin Hoover

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Martin Hoover

Expertise

Questions regarding the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball. Questions regarding the history and organization of Little League Baseball at local, state, regional, and international levels. Advise regarding certain operational procedures and recommendations to Local League representatives.

Experience

Volunteer Little League Umpire since 2000; 2003 Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Big League Softball European Regional Umpire; 2005 Little League Softball Western Regional Umpire; Member- Hesperia National(Hesperia, CA) Little League Board of Directors(2003-2004); President- Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors(2005-Present); 2007 Junior Softball Western Regional Umpire

Organizations
Little League Baseball, Inc is the main operational center. I fall under Little League Western Region, and California District 49. I currently serve as President of the Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors.

Education/Credentials
Western Regional Junior Umpire School(2000)(Named Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Region Area); Instructor - Little League Baseball Western Regional Outreach Clinics

Awards and Honors
Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Regional Area(2000)

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