Brushing up on the rules

[gmcardle]

A question came up and should be clarified. There was fly ball foul and was caught. Their was a runner on first who started to run. When the ball was caught the defense threw the ball back to first and the umpire correctly called the runner going back to first safe. The question came to me, so here is the rule:

Rule 8.6.A - A runner must return to their base when a batted ball is foul.

All umpires had a copy of the rules sent to them. It wouldn't be a bad idea to look the rules over, especially rule #'s 7 and 8. Of course each rule is a chapter... But getting ready for tourney it wouldn't be a bad idea to at least familiarize yourself with where to find the appropriate rule in the case of a dispute.

Also be aware, that during the tourney, their can be protests. At that point, the umpire must find a field commissioner to come and listen to both sides and make a ruling to settle the dispute. So if you are familiar with the rules and can look them up and cite them to the arguing coach(es), we should be able to avoid any protests.

[gmcardle]

Here is a partial list (and the most common) judgment calls we make as umpires that cannot be disputed:

What is a judgment call?

Ball/Strike
Fair/Foul
Safe/Out
Runner did not tag
Runner left too soon
Ball caught/Trapped
Interference/Obstruction
Runner leaving the 3 foot base path
If the infield fly rule applies or not

You have the option of discussing any of these with the coaches or players if you desire, but any call made is final.

[wendell]

If the base runner takes off and a foul ball is caught in the air (Either a line drive or fly ball) and the runner did not tag up and the ball beats them back to the base, the runner is out. At least those are the rules in every other league I have every played in or watched.

[X-Commish]

I agree with Wendell, if a foul ball is caught and it does not get into dead-ball territory, the ball is live, correct? Meaning that a player must tag up, and has the opportunity to advance after a tag up. The ball would be live until it gets back to the pitcher in the IF. Gary give us a confirm on this one...

[Nugget1]

I believe that what the Commish and Wendell said is true. Any fly ball fair or foul the runner must tag to advance and if they are caught off the bag regardless of a fair or foul fly out they are out if they ran on the hit and did not get back to the base they left from before the ball and if they did tag - then they must be tagged out as this would not be a force play (they can always try to make it back to the bag they left from as long as another player was not there and even so it would still be a tag play since both runners go return to their original base). Now if the player caught the ball in foul territory and the stepped on or over the out of play line the ball would then be dead and there would be no play - since the ball is dead. If the umpire called time after the catch was made and allowed the runner to return, then it was a mistake on the umpires part since a play was still going and the ball was not in the infield. A umpire can call time once the ball was in the infield and he saw the play was over. On any hit ball the runner(s) may advance at their own risk - this includes an infield fly, but if the ball is caught and they ran on the hit and the ball is thrown to whatever base the runner left from they are out, but on an infield fly the batter is out but the runner would be safe if the ball was not caught as long as they made it to the next base safely.