Bad Blue - IP call

[corlay]

DD played in an 18-team, 12U ASA tournament in upstate NY this weekend.

She comes in to pitch in the 4th inning, in a tight 4-4 game.

After a few batters, opposing 1st base coach calls time, and has conference with the home plate umpire. When play resumes, the HP umpire starts calling IP's. The reason: he says when pitcher takes the plate, hands must be separated AND ball must not be "concealed" in glove and must be visible in pitching hand. He clearly had his own interpretation on what it means to "present" the ball...

Of course, we all know that this is not the correct rule, and after repeated coach and fan (i was polite, but did almost get tossed...) protest; the ump wouldn't budge. So, I spoke to tournament director, and he advised that our coach needs to request the "head umpire" to come and rule. So that's what our coach did, and the HP ump refused.

Meanwhile my DD is out there, tears lightly streaming down her cheeks, so our coach goes out and explains what the "new parameters" are for this game, and DD adapts her routine to comply, and pretty much proceeds to pitch wonderfully, shutting down the opposing team and we logged a 5-4 win. (Luckily, the IP calls only advanced runner 1 or 2 times, but never cost us a run...)

Next round (semi-final game) we get the same ump. BUT, between games the tournament director goes to bat for us an shows the HP ump the correct rule in the ASA book, with head umpire present. My DD starts next game, and guess what? No more IP calls...

That semi went to 2 tiebraker innings before we lost 5-6. DD pitched all 9. Very proud of her...

After games I congratulated her (with a wink) on logging not only her 1st IP ever, but 4 IP calls in a single game. <G> (the first IP call was actually legitimate, because the Ump stuck out his fist mid-pitch, and my DD stopped her delivery. She had no idea what the Ump was doing, and thought he was halting her...)

 

[Comp]

First off, there is no such thing as "presenting the ball" in the rules, it may be in the hand or the glove. Second, the umpire has no choice but to get the UIC if the coach tells them they are protesting a rules application.

 

[cuzmail]

Had a USFA ump pull something similar on DD a last year in 12U. DD adapted and did well.

Our other pitcher mocked him a little by being dramatic and making an exaggerated move out of the presentation. Almost like a theater bow if you can picture that.

These girls are getting to the age where they know right from wrong and can have a little fun with it.

 

[cuzmail]

First off, there is no such thing as "presenting the ball" in the rules, it may be in the hand or the glove. Second, the umpire has no choice but to get the UIC if the coach tells them they are protesting a rules application.

While I agree with you following the letter of the printed rule book. It may come as a surprise that there are umps out there who do what they want when they want. They control the game either by dictatorship or play calling which can't be argued. Like it or not some people, and in this case, umpires absolute power corrupts absolutely.

 

[smddad]

I'm guessing that the umpire was relatively new. One for allowing the coach to persuade him and two for not knowing the rule.

 

[Comp]

While I agree with you following the letter of the printed rule book. It may come as a surprise that there are umps out there who do what they want when they want. They control the game either by dictatorship or play calling which can't be argued. Like it or not some people, and in this case, umpires absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The protest must be ruled on before play can continue. If you are protesting the call refuse to play until the UIC is summoned and it is ruled on. I realize there are bad umpires, but if they are blatantly violating the rules then it really should be taken up with the UIC and the TD and they shouldnt be working until they do follow the rules and know them.

 

[Cowdogz]

Played in a tournament last year where pitchers were told that they could not toe the rubber with the ball in the glove. They were instructed to approach the rubber with the ball in the throwing hand, and only when they had set their feet could they put the ball in the glove. I have no idea what the purpose of that would be.

 

[cuzmail]

The protest must be ruled on before play can continue. If you are protesting the call refuse to play until the UIC is summoned and it is ruled on. I realize there are bad umpires, but if they are blatantly violating the rules then it really should be taken up with the UIC and the TD and they shouldnt be working until they do follow the rules and know them.

Again, I agree with how things should work.

Refusing to play in the past has resulted in two threats. 1) ejection from the park 2) forfeiting the game. It isn't always easy to get the UIC or TD there in a timely manner.

 

[Comp]

Then someone really needs to have a discussion with the TD about the umpires and UIC's they are employeing to cover their tournaments.

 

[SoCalASABlue]

Then someone really needs to have a discussion with the TD about the umpires and UIC's they are employeing to cover their tournaments.

Been there, done that...and was told "then play somewhere else"...and this was by TCS...