Leaving early and other calls

^^^^Great to hear it...maybe we will see a little less of it this World Series since Florida is out, IMO they are some of the worst violators

"but if you know softball you know the umpires blew this call"

Not sure that is an accurate or fair comment. I know plenty of people that actually know softball or say they know softball...that have limited clues about the rules and their application. That includes many coaches; players and most often the spectators.

While we all agree that umpires do make mistakes. But also do coaches and players. Players mistakes often go in the scorebook. Coaches mistakes don't. These are forgotten. Umpires mistakes are debated and criticized by all... and for a long time.

ORBlue said:

"but if you know softball you know the umpires blew this call"

Not sure that is an accurate or fair comment. I know plenty of people that actually know softball or say they know softball...that have limited clues about the rules and their application. That includes many coaches; players and most often the spectators.

While we all agree that umpires do make mistakes. But also do coaches and players. Players mistakes often go in the scorebook. Coaches mistakes don't. These are forgotten. Umpires mistakes are debated and criticized by all... and for a long time.

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I do not think anyone takes issue with umpires making mistakes. The problem is when it crosses over into indifference and/or incompetence. A player or coach displaying such behavior would never be tolerated, why should those charged with officiating the contest be given a pass?

Leaving a step or two early and flagrant IP's can be explained one of 4 ways:

1) The action did not happen.

2) The action was below the threshold of human perception.

3) The action was not observed due to inattention.

4) The action was observed.

Runners on second leaving early should NEVER be missed, but sometimes its not perfectly clear. Like MTR noted (I think it was MTR), its right in front of the umpire. But sometimes the P blocks the view, so I can understand them not always seeing it. But what is consistently missed 90% of the time, and I can never understand why, is the slapper or dragger making contact with a foot entirely out of the box. The catcher is NEVER blocking that view and even with lines that have been rubbed out during the course of the game, it is still quite apparent when that batter is way out front or well in front of the plate. If the slapper isn't lined up at the box of the box pre-pitch, it is almost guaranteed that their crossover and stride will put them outside the box. I'm curious what MTR and Comp feel about this.

Coach: Mr. Umpire, sir, that runner on 2B is getting an early jump and it is right in front of you. You HAVE to see and call that.
Umpire: I'll do the best I can, coach
(after pitch)
Coach: Blue, what's the call? Looked like a strike from here.
Umpire: Not a clue, coach. I can tell you that the runner on 2B was okay.
Coach: WHAT?!?!
Umpire: Coach, I did exactly what you asked me to do. What more do you want?

Plate umpires primary responsibility is the pitch call, the batters feet are secondary. Arm chairing the call with a high overhead shot in slow motion its pretty easy to make the call. Try doing it from 5-7' away at ground level and at game speed. You do not make that call unless 100% positive the foot was completely outside the box. Stepping in front of the plate is pretty easy to see, stepping out the front of the box not so easy.

Comp said:

Plate umpires primary responsibility is the pitch call, the batters feet are secondary. Arm chairing the call with a high overhead shot in slow motion its pretty easy to make the call. Try doing it from 5-7' away at ground level and at game speed. You do not make that call unless 100% positive the foot was completely outside the box. Stepping in front of the plate is pretty easy to see, stepping out the front of the box not so easy.

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Love the honest answer. Ive always felt that you can not watch the pitch and the front foot/box at the same time while watching the runner at 2 and the pitchers release point as well. So much to do as a plate umpire that its not physically possible. Calling balls/strikes is first priority.