Very Unusual Umpire Call (First for me)

This actually happened in the South Meck vs. Harding game last night. Before I go any farther with this, I would never be an umpire and respect most for the job they do. Just remember, I said respect most, not all!!! Here goes; SM batter at the plate drives a ball into the gap in left center field, the batter starts down the first base line and realizes that the ball is in the gap and proceeds to make the turn before he gets to first base. Obviously the reasoning for doing this is so he can have a better look at the ball and go into second base on a more straight forward route. The umpire calls him out for going out of the base line. WHAT!!!!!! The coach asks for an explantation and the Umpire (couldn't hear exactly what he was saying), walks over and starts pointing to the first base line about half way down the line and jesters that it would have been okay if he started down the line and then started his banana route to second. HUH???? Are you kidding me!!!!! Okay all you Umpires and such, let me know what you think, and if I'm wrong, I will stand corrected! Mincmi was at the game and he and I laughed about this one.

 

PD- this is an easy one. The game was clearly over early. The umpire was looking for any reason to call the SM players out. Sure he made up his own rules as the game went along, but it sped up the game.

It's called managing the game from an umpire's perspective---Stretchy does it all the time.

On a sidenote--- I am just kidding!

 

I'm pretty sure being out of the baseline is only relevant when a play is being made. Otherwise alot of kids' lead-offs from 2nd base with 2 outs would be ruled as outs haha.

I'm not sure of the exact rules for high school baseball, but I think some league's consider the baseline "the direct route from the runner to the base, while a play is being made."

 

Your out of here.....

Ok Braves you are now suspended for the next 2 high school games!!!

 

point of emphasis

Every year the NFHS chooses a few rules/interpretations to emphasize for one reason or another. This year one of those is enforcing the 45 foot line (better known as the running lane). Apparently the umpire misunderstands the rule and/or was not trained properly. The only time you would call a runner out for being outside the 45 foot line is when a play is being made on him (whether the pitcher/1st basemen runs over to tag him or the catcher/pitcher/3rd basemen throws the ball and it hits him) and he runs outside the 45 foot line. He may run outside the line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a ball, but if he's outside the line and a thrown ball hits him, he is out.

I know I'm not explaining every little detail of this rule, but you get the general idea.

 

You are COMPLETELY Correct. The "base line" is for TWO reasons ONLY!! Interference by the batter runner, and IF HE went too far out of a "direct line" that he establishes with his position on the field at THE TIME A PLAY IS BEING MADE ON HIM, other than that the line is just paint for fair/four purposes.

 

The little guy has gotten so bulked up this season he can call it any way he wants.

 

Pumping Iron

I don't know what your talking about.......