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It is generally taught that the line of sight (LOS) for the home plate umpire must afford a clear view of the inside and outside portions of the plate, as well as the top and bottom parts of the strike zone. The top of the umpire’s shoulders line up approximately with the top of the catcher’s head. The most advantageous LOS comes from taking a stance either directly over the catcher’s head, in what is commonly known as a spread stance, or slightly to the batter’s inside, in what is customarily referred to as “the slot,” in the scissors stance. In either stance umpires try to position themselves – “hide,” as you put it – as much as possible behind the catcher for maximum protection physically. Even then home plate umpires are still vulnerable to being struck by pitches, as the April 2008 incident involving MLB umpire Kerwin Danley amply attests. As you might recall, Ump Danley took a Brad Penny fastball in the jaw that LA Dodger catcher Russell Martin simply missed catching. Sources: NFHS Mechanics Manual
Ruling: In the case you cite, the umpire correctly rules that the batter is out. Had the catcher not made the catch, a dead ball would have resulted, due to the batted ball being foul, and the batter would have remained at bat. In the case of interference MLB rules generally agree with NFHS rules. The only difference arises in the case of a fielder reaching into the spectator area, as catcher Maurer did in this game situation. MLB rules state that, “No interference shall be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope, or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk.” NFHS rules do not discuss or cover the case in which a fielder might reach into a spectator area in an attempt to catch a ball. Conversely, both sets of rules specify the umpire’s authority to rule in situations when spectators reach into the field of play. Sources: MLB 3.16; NFHS 2.21.3, 5.1.1(f), 7.4.1(d), 8.3.3(e)
Ruling: Yes, provided there are less than two outs with no runner on 1st base, or there are two outs and 1st base is occupied. Both the Rules of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) rules agree in this case. Both rules specify that the batter is out when a third strike is caught, or if, after a third strike is caught, the batter or 1st base is tagged before the batter-runner touches 1st base. Additionally, MLB defines that a third strike is “legally caught” when the ball is “in the catcher’s glove before it touches the ground.” The NFHS defines a “catch” generally as getting secure possession in the hand or glove “of a live ball in flight.” Sources: MLB 6-05 (b), 6.05 (j); NFHS 2.9.1, 8.4.1 (e), 8.4.1 (f)
Ruling: The MLB rule restricts the pitcher from “standing on or astride the pitcher’s plate without having the ball. Straddling the pitcher’s plate without having the ball is considered as “intent to deceive,” and is therefore a balk. The pitcher in your scenario has not violated the rule, consequently, the runner is out when the second baseman applies the tag. By contrast, pitchers have less latitude under National Federation High School (NFHS) Rules. At the scholastic level, pitchers are restricted from being “within five feet of the pitcher’s plate without having the ball.” In the game scenario you pose, the runner would also be out when tagged by the second baseman. Sources: MLB 8.05(i); NFHS 6.5 and 8.4.2(h); Also see “Ask The Ump” Play 007
Play: The runner from 3rd is hit by a pitch in the strike zone while attempting to steal home. Ruling: The ball is dead when it hits the runner, a strike is registered, and, provided it’s not strike three and the third out of the inning, the run counts. Sources: Major League Baseball Rule 5.09(h); NFHS 5.1.1(a)
Ruling: In this situation, the third out of the inning would be registered when the batter-runner leaves the field of play. Because the line drive was not caught in flight, the defense needed to throw out the batter-runner at 1st base in order to record the third out. The covering umpire was correct in not giving an “out” signal or giving an “out” call, as the ball was still live at the time that the pitcher trapped it on the ground. As soon as the batter-runner left the field of play, he is declared out for having “abandoned” his right to advance to 1st base. Sources: Major League Baseball Rule 7.08; NFHS 8.4.2(p)
Ruling: At the MLB level as well as the high school level, and any other level for that matter, the catcher is the only defensive player who is permitted by rule to be standing in foul territory at the time of the pitch. If any other player is positioned in foul territory, such as by placing a foot completely outside the 1st or 3rd base line, at the time of the pitch, the home plate umpire may rule an illegal pitch. With a runner or runners on base, any pitch that is made is a balk. Sources: MLB Rule 4.03(a); NFHS 1.1.4 and 2.18 Submit your play, question or situation to New Jersey Baseball Magazine Home - Contact Us - Ask the Ump - Our Archives - Helpful Links - Sponsors Bullpen |
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Ask the Ump
Play: Tigers-Twins game of September 29, 2009: Gerald Laird hit a foul ball behind home plate, about a row or two back into the seats. Jason Maurer, the catcher, reaches back into the crowd to catch the ball. Just before he catches the ball, a fan touches the ball but Maurer still catches it. The umpire calls the batter out. Isn’t the ball dead as soon as the fan touches it? Did the ump blow the call?
Play: A batter swings at a third strike, the ball hits the dirt, and the catcher catches it cleanly off the bounce. Does the catcher have to tag the batter or throw to 1st in order to record the out?
Play: A runner stands on 2nd base after hitting a double. Time is not called. The pitcher without the ball returns to the mound area within the 9-foot radius. The second baseman tags the runner when the runner leaves the base to take a lead prior to the next pitch. Is the runner out due to the hidden ball trick according to Major League Rules?
Play: With two outs, instead of catching a low line drive hit directly at him, the pitcher covers the ball with his glove, so that he traps the ball on the ground. The covering umpire – in this case the Home Plate umpire – gives no signal and does not give an “out” call. All defensive players leave the field, as does the batter-runner, with no play being made on the batter-runner.
Play: In MLB if a defensive player other than the catcher is in foul territory at the time of the pitch, is it a balk if runner(s) are on base?
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