Some hints for the more controversial calls in baseball

Force Plays at First Base

Baseball people, including media commentators, will often refer to a close play at first base as a "look-and-listen" play. This comes from the umpire's best help at first base: his ears.

To call a play at first base which the first baseman fields on a throw, and you're standing at first base: Take a few steps into fair territory, to get an angle on the base. When the ball is thrown, look at the base, watch the fielder to make sure he stays on the base, and watch the runner. At the same time, listen for the "thwack" of the thrown ball in the first baseman's mitt. If the runner's foot got to the bag before the "thwack", call the runner safe. If the "thwack" beats the runner and the fielder held the bag, then as long as he still has the ball, or he's cleanly taken it out of his glove (to throw it to the pitcher or around the infield), the runner is out.

This is the only situation in which it's not advisable to watch the ball. It's better to watch the runner and listen for the ball.

Interference and Obstruction

These two terms are not interchangeable. Interference is the act of a runner who gets in the way of a fielder trying to make a play. Obstruction is the act of a fielder who stops a runner from advancing to the next base.

If a ball is hit in the infield, an infielder has the right to play it. For instance, the first baseman has the right to play a ball hit to him, and a runner from first has the obligation to avoid that fielder. Running in front of a fielder playing at "normal" depth is accepted, but if the runner makes contact with the fielder or stops in order to distract him from making a play, interference should be called.

Only one fielder gets the benefit of the interference rule on any one batted ball. The umpire must decide which fielder had the best chance at fielding the ball. Contact by a runner with any other fielder is not interference (and may indeed be obstruction).

It is also interference if a batted ball touches a runner while an infielder still has a chance to play it. However, if the ball has already touched any infielder, including the pitcher, the runner is not out (unless he deliberately touches the ball, such as by kicking it), and the ball remains alive and in play.

Interference makes the ball dead. Generally, the runner who interferes is out, although in some cases, the batter is out (or both batter and runner are out, in the case of a runner who willfully interferes in order to break up a double play). No other runner may advance once interference is called.

On the other hand, once the ball has been touched, the runner has the right to the base line. Any infielder (including the pitcher) who touches the ball ends the interference call. A fielder who blocks the base path and prevents a runner from reaching a base or advancing to the next base is guilty of obstruction, unless he has the ball and is waiting to make the tag. (In that case, if the runner leaves the base line, he is out.)

Obstruction usually does not make the ball dead. An umpire who sees obstruction should raise his hand, wait for the play to end, and then call "Time". Then, the two umpires should confer and award any additional bases they deem necessary.

Coach's Interference

Offensive interference occurs when the base coach physically assists a runner advancing or returning to a base. The runner is out and the ball is dead. It's also coach's interference if he does not get out of the way of a fielder making a play. The runner on which the play is being made is out and the ball is dead.

An umpire should not flag a base coach merely for standing outside the coach's box. However, the coach is not allowed to do anything to distract the fielders. If he does, the runner may be called out for interference.

Catcher's Interference

This is a different animal. The ball is not automatically dead on catcher's interference. If a play follows, the offense has the option of taking the penalty (batter gets first base, runners advance if forced) or the result of the play.

Appeal Plays

Except when a runner passes a preceding runner on the base paths, there are no automatic outs for base-running violations. All calls of missed bases or failure to tag up are appeal plays.

1) Failing to "Tag Up"

A runner may not advance on a caught fly ball until a fielder has touched the ball. If a runner is off his base when a caught fly ball is touched, he must retouch his base (tag up) before advancing.

On appeal, the runner who fails to tag up is out if either he or his base is tagged by a fielder with the ball. However, even though this is classified as an appeal play, there is no need to verbally appeal or return the ball to the pitcher's mound unless "Time" is called before the appeal takes place.

2) Missed Bases

The traditional appeal is for the pitcher to get the ball on the mound, wait for a batter, make sure the ball is in play, and then step off the mound and throw the ball to the base he suspects the runner missed. This action is unmistakably an appeal play. (After the left fielder caught a ball for the first out, the pitcher stepped off and threw to the third baseman, appealing that the runner left third too soon. The out was granted. The runner who advanced to third, thinking he had been called out for some reason, jumped up and down in protest. He was tagged for the third out.)

However, the act of appeal can be a lot simpler, provided the ball remains in play. All the fielders have to do is get the ball to the missed base, get the umpire's attention, and verbally appeal. As long as the ball is live, and there hasn't been another pitch or play, an appeal is in order. If the defense tries to appeal on a dead ball, do nothing. Wait for the ball to be live.

Even in the case of an obvious, traditional appeal, if there is any chance of confusion as to which runner is being appealed, the defense shall make the appeal verbally. For instance, if two runners rounded third base and the defense appeals that one of them missed the bag, they have to specify "the lead runner", or "the trail runner", or "the runner who came from second", or "the batter".

3 ) Impact of an Appeal on Other Plays, and Vice Versa

An appeal is not to be interpreted as a play or an attempted play. That said, bear in mind that all appeals in baseball take place on a live ball (unlike softball, where appeals take place on a dead ball), and the appeal must happen before the next pitch or play.

As a result, the offense can start another play during an appeal. If they have a runner on first, it's legal to try to advance to second during an appeal at third (because the pitcher is no longer in pitching position). The appeal is still valid if the defense makes no other play, but if the pitcher is distracted and throws to second base, that's a new play and the appeal is off.

Also, if the pitcher fails to step off before making an appeal-play throw, he's considered to have made a play. If the pitcher balks, or accidentally throws a legal pitch from the rubber instead of stepping off and tossing the ball to the catcher for an appeal at the plate, that's a play and the appeal is off.

NOTE: If the defense appeals at home base, and the pitcher properly steps off before throwing to the catcher, but the batter swings at the thrown ball, the batter is guilty of interference and he shall be called out.

Fair and Foul Balls

If you are standing on the foul line and must call a ball fair or foul, remember: A ball is fair if it lands in fair territory on the line beyond first or third base, or if it bounces past the base in fair territory, or bounces over (or hits) the base. The chalk lines are in fair territory.

Never yell "Fair ball!" You are certain to confuse several players into thinking you said "Foul". Instead, point in the direction of fair territory and then move into position for the following play.

On the other hand, if the ball is foul, raise your arms into the air and yell "Foul!" This will alert everyone and kill the play.

Infield Fly Rule

One of the most confusing rules to baseball newcomers is the Infield Fly rule.

Back in 1891, the Baltimore Orioles wrought havoc with the rest of the National League by intentionally dropping pop-ups and then turning easy double (and triple) plays. To counter this, the league introduced the Infield Fly rule.

Under the rule, a batter is called out immediately when the umpire judges that a high fly ball (not a line drive or an attempted bunt) can be caught with ordinary effort by an infielder (including the pitcher or catcher). However, the rule only applies with runners on first and second base and fewer than two out. (The rule also applies with the bases loaded, since there are runners on first and second.) The moment the batter is called out, the force is removed from the runners -- who may then stay on their bases and not be forced to advance. Of course, they may try to make the next base at their own risk.

If there's any doubt in your mind that a batted ball is not an Infield Fly, don't call it. The plate umpire usually has a better vantage point than you do. On the other hand, if you are sure, then yell "Infield Fly" as soon as you know it.

The rules state that it's only an Infield Fly if it's a fair ball. If the ball appears to be landing near the foul line, yell "Infield Fly if fair". If the ball drops untouched in the infield and rolls foul, it's the same as any other foul ball.

"Time"

Players will always be looking at you and asking for "Time". (Actually, they'll be looking at you and saying, "Time out! Time out!" While football and basketball have charged time-outs, baseball has dead ball situations created by, among other things, the umpire when he suspends play by calling "Time".)

When a player requests "Time", the ball does not become dead until the umpire grants "Time". It is up to you to make sure that no further action is taking place before you call "Time".

Never give the defense "Time" unless the ball is in the possession of an infielder (including the pitcher or catcher) in the infield, and no base runners are advancing. If a runner is dancing off a base, make sure he is heading back to a base and the defense is not trying to put him out before granting "Time".

Base runners often ask for "Time" to stand up and dust themselves off after sliding into a base safely. Give a quick glance around the field and make sure no other runners are advancing before granting "Time". 

Injury Situations

We know that if a runner is hit by a fair ball before an infielder has a chance to play it, the runner is out. (The ball is dead, no runner advances unless forced, and the batter gets a base hit.)

But what happens if a fielder gets hit by a line drive? For an umpire, common sense and safety must prevail.

Generally, the rule of thumb is not to kill a play by calling "Time". But if the fielder requires immediate attention -- for instance, if the pitcher gets nailed by a comebacker -- you (or the plate umpire) have the right to call "Time" immediately and tend to the injured player. (In this case, you would confer with the plate umpire and place the runners accordingly. A good way to handle it is to give each runner, including the batter, one base.)

No one will fault you if you call "Time" because you believed a player on the field to be in serious danger.

Past Rule Changes

Head-first sliding by a player advancing to a base is illegal. A player who slides head-first while advancing must be called out. A head-first slide when a player returns to a previously occupied base (as in a rundown or pickoff) is still legal (although undesirable), but if the runner has never had legal possession of the base he slides head-first into, he is out. For timing purposes, the out is recorded when the player sliding head-first touches the ground with a body part other than his feet (usually the hands or stomach). If the head-first slide is the third out, no run may score after the player hits the ground; if the head-first slide is by a forced runner, no run may score on the play, period.

In 1999, the balk was eliminated in Little League Baseball. Actions that used to be balks are now "Illegal Pitches"; it's a delayed dead ball, with the offense taking the play if the pitch is hit and every runner, including the batter-runner, advances at least one base. Otherwise, the pitch will be called a ball.

TIPS FOR WORKING THE BASES

1. Always keep your eye on the ball - remember a play cannot be made without the ball.

2. Strive to get in front of all plays and obtain the best angle possible.

3. Make sure all plays are finished before making your call - avoid a common fault of "Young Umpires" of making calls too soon.

4. In calling force plays, do not get too close. The angle is all important and you must see between the bag and the foot. Don't turn your head or take your eye off the ball for even a split instant after making your call.

5. Make sure the fielder has the ball under control - get as close to tag play as you can without interfering. You must get an angle where you can see between the base runner's foot or hand and bag.

6. On all plays get down low and support your "close" calls with a strong voice.

7. Indicate your out calls with a brisk move of the right arm outward.

8. Indicate your safe calls with both arms, stretched outward and apart - palms of hand downward.

9. On wide open plays just indicate safe or out with a mild gesture.

10. Never call a play on the run unless it can’t be avoided - it is better to be further away from the play and call it in a still position.

11. The base Umpire calls all trapped balls in the outfield and should make every effort to get as close to the outfielder as possible and obtain the proper angle to see the entire play.

12. Always be alert to avoid being hit by batted or thrown balls. Being in an upright position and moving a step forward or backward on each pitch will enable you to keep from being hit.

13. Do not turn your head too quickly on the first part of a possible double play or any other play. Follow the ball.

14. Make sure that the bases are secure and in proper position.

15. Be ready to assist the plate Umpire with half swings and batted balls that hit off a batter's foot.

16. Remember being out of position is inexcusable and never forget that hustle, common sense and mental readiness is always important in good umpiring.

TIPS FOR WORKING THE PLATE

1. Assume a position so that you can see the entire strike zone.

2. Follow the ball all the way to the catcher's mitt.

3. To be accurate on your calls, you must actually be able to follow the ball all the way to the catcher's mitt.

4. Be relaxed and don't call your pitches too soon.

5. Be consistent with your strike zone (arm pits to bottom or “hollow” of the knees, normally).

6. Don't call swinging strikes, just indicate strike by raising of right arm.

7. Support all called strikes, with a strong voice especially on third strike.

8. Never say,  “strike three you're out.”

9. Keep the plate clean and always brush the plate with your back to the field.

10. Between innings get away from the plate - avoid problems.

11. Hustle the teams between innings.

12. When calling foul balls use a strong voice with arms upraised.

13. When calling fair balls do not use voice; indicate fair ball with motion towards fair territory.

14. Don't call ground balls hit along the first - third base foul lines fair or foul too soon.

15. When calling "time" yell loudly with both hands extended above head. Leave no doubt with your partner.

16. Don't call the "infield fly" too soon especially on windy days.

17. Always know where the ball is at all times.

18. On batted balls move out in front of the plate to be ready to assist your base Umpire.

19. The plate Umpire should handle the pre-game discussion and make sure that all ground rules are clearly understood.

20. Don't be too hasty in calling games due to weather conditions and remember you must wait at least 30 minutes.

21. Keep batters from home plate area when runners are advancing from third base.

22. Follow the ball from the fielder to the catcher(receiver) when calling plays at home plate or the bases.

23. There is no substitute for knowing the rules. If you don't know the specific rule for a given situation, consult the rule book.