Protesting a Game

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Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I have protested 2 games, 1 I won other we won game so it didn't matter but I was going to lose that one I had a nice document though.

Seems to be a lot of various rules about Protesting a game, usally spelled out.

Is an umpire allowed to refuse a protest if they are allowed?

(Example would be runner was out by 10 feet but called safe. I know I would lose protest but am I stilled allowed to or can umpire say it was a judgment call and not allow protest.)
 
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Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Not sure about other rule sets, but in USA if you protest it must be ruled on immediately before the game continues.

You cannot protest a pure judgement call, so I suppose an umpire could refuse to honor the appeal if the protest were over something purely judgement in nature. But, as an official if the coach wants to protest I will be more than happy to have the UIC come make a decision. While a call may be purely judgement, there are rules involved in how the judgement is applied and the rule behind the basis of the judgement may be misinterpreted by the official.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Well apparently in Georgia there is "in theory" vs "in reality".

In theory you can protest the interpretation or application of a rule not being being correct but you can not protest the umpire judgement.

In other words the umpire states the facts "the runner was tagged, the ball was catchable with ordinary effort" etc these items are not protestable so he could tell you simply that a protest is not possible.

Once the facts are establish then a rule must be applied THAT is protestable.

Take an easy obvious question you tell the umpire you want to protest that the pitch should have been a strike the umpire tells you "go sit down" a protest is not allowed there is simply nothing you can write down that is valid in that situation.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Well apparently in Georgia there is "in theory" vs "in reality".

I guess softball in GA is lucky, because apparently in baseball, you can protest a proper, by-the-book ruling that wasn't politically popular and the play gets overturned by people that shouldn't have been involved to begin. :)
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I am ignoring GA for a little while, still have no idea what happened so waiting for it to settle down.

Not sure what I am going to be able to learn from the whole thing.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
Here's a situation that occurred just the other night. I'm behind the plate officiating as the solo umpire, youth softball (unsanctioned little league, but played by standard rules). The entire game, I'm not seeing anything unusual by the pitcher of Team A - she appears on the rubber with her release, etc. No funny movements that would warrant an illegal pitch, etc. About the 3rd inning, Team B's coach comes to me and says, "Their pitcher is releasing when her contact foot is off the rubber". I'm not seeing it because a.) Solo umpire and b.) Behind the plate, so everything looks fine from my view and I state that. He claims it's "constantly happening, and if it keeps happening, he's going to protest". We start the next inning, and he says to me, "It's still happening" from the coach's box. I say nothing because a.) I can't see it and b.) He hasn't "protested" anything. His team goes on to lose the game. After the game, he brings me a cell phone from a parent on his side where it 'appears' (loose quotes) as if her foot is off the rubber on the release, but NOTHING I could see from behind the plate. THEN he goes on to argue that I "wouldn't honor his protest" when he never clearly stated, "I am protesting this game on the grounds of __________" or something equivalent.

a.) As an UMPIRE, were my actions correct to NOT honor a protest because of the situation and his verbiage?
b.) As a COACH myself, what IS the proper way to approach an official if a protestable ruling comes up? I've never had to, but I would like to know what's respectful/appropriate to state in a meeting with a blue. Thanks!
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Once the facts are establish

This is the key to me, you need to get everyone to agree on what happened if you do not you are going to lose as coach.

A) I think they have to officially protest, being behind plate by yourself there is a lot going on. I do not think video is allowed in most if not all organization, if you want to take a look at it after game fine but it should not change anything.
B) Agree on facts, no yelling, do not be a jerk

(Learned knowing the rules is not good enough, you need to be able to find the dang thing in a few minutes)
 
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Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Here's a situation that occurred just the other night. I'm behind the plate officiating as the solo umpire, youth softball (unsanctioned little league, but played by standard rules). The entire game, I'm not seeing anything unusual by the pitcher of Team A - she appears on the rubber with her release, etc. No funny movements that would warrant an illegal pitch, etc. About the 3rd inning, Team B's coach comes to me and says, "Their pitcher is releasing when her contact foot is off the rubber". I'm not seeing it because a.) Solo umpire and b.) Behind the plate, so everything looks fine from my view and I state that. He claims it's "constantly happening, and if it keeps happening, he's going to protest". We start the next inning, and he says to me, "It's still happening" from the coach's box. I say nothing because a.) I can't see it and b.) He hasn't "protested" anything. His team goes on to lose the game. After the game, he brings me a cell phone from a parent on his side where it 'appears' (loose quotes) as if her foot is off the rubber on the release, but NOTHING I could see from behind the plate. THEN he goes on to argue that I "wouldn't honor his protest" when he never clearly stated, "I am protesting this game on the grounds of __________" or something equivalent.

a.) As an UMPIRE, were my actions correct to NOT honor a protest because of the situation and his verbiage?
b.) As a COACH myself, what IS the proper way to approach an official if a protestable ruling comes up? I've never had to, but I would like to know what's respectful/appropriate to state in a meeting with a blue. Thanks!

The rules do not require the foot to be in contact with the pitching plate when the ball is released. USA 6-3-K, Pushing off and dragging the pivot foot in contact with the ground is required. The rule would be universal in all softball rule sets, there is no requirement for the pivot foot to still be in contact with the pitching plate at the time the ball is released.

Further, that would be the base umpires call even if it was a violation and since you were working the game solo you would have no way of seeing the infraction. You are correct, the coach never actually said he wanted to protest so what can you do? As for him continuing to harp about it, I would tell him he had made his point, it had been addressed and that would be the end of it and he could take it up with the league. I would not look at anyone's cell phone, even after the game as you are fully aware you can not see that supposed infraction from behind the plate.

If you as a coach are questioning something and feel the umpire is incorrect you ask them to verify with their partner, assuming they have one. If you still dont agree with their interpretation of they rule then you tell them you are protesting the call. As I stated earlier, if this were a USA tournament the protest must be ruled on immediately before the game proceeds. In a situation where it is a league game and UIC's or league officials are not present, you have the home score book not the inning and situation which is being protested.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I would not look at anyone's cell phone, even after the game as you are fully aware you can not see that supposed infraction from behind the plate.

I have rules on phone both Asa and local. Would it annoy you if I pulled it out and showed You? No video, not sure what can go well with that.

Had someone on opposimg Team pull out phone to show ump a bat was illegal, handed cell phone to coach to show ump.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
By strict USA rules, the only electronic equipment that is allowed on the field or dugouts is a scorekeeping device.
 

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