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MROS
Interpreter’s Report
January 21, 2008
Should
a play occur in one of your games and you need a rule interpretation, please
email me directly at: rwfoster@henrico.k12.va.us
Previous
Hot Tips from the Interpreter
ADJUSTMENT TO THE FLYBALL TAG-UP MECHANIC:
After
further review, we will revert back to the old mechanic for watching the runner
tag-up. The U-1, plate still has the
corners, i.e. First and/or Third, and the U-2 has second. Using the old
mechanic, the covering official must move and get into position to see the
touch AND the runner tag-up.
THE
BASE UMPIRE WILL NO LONGER RELY ON THE VOICE SIGNAL FROM THE PLATE UMPIRE.YOU MUST SEE BOTH.
Clarification of Ruling on Obstruction:
If
a runner is obstructed between two bases and the runner is apparently tagged
out between those bases, signal dead ball and award the runner the base or
bases that in the opinion of the covering official she would have reached had
there been no obstruction. Any runner(s) are forced to advance by the
award to the obstructed runner, those runner(s) are advanced by the award
without liability to be put out.
The
bold print is a change from what I said Sunday at the last general meeting.
Even if she retreats to first and is safe there, and in your opinion she would
have reached second, or third, after play ends signal dead ball, and then make
the award.
I
hope this clarifies this situation, and didn’t cause anyone any embarrassment
this past week.
1.
Socializing
still seems to be a problem. Once we
enter the confines of the field and exchange pleasantries with the coaches,
it’s ALL business until we get off the field.
If you think you know either the players of a team or the coaches so
well that you call them by their first names or carry on conversations with
them during the game, YOU NEED TO CALL BRUCE FRYE AND SRATCH THAT TEAM,
PERIOD. Coaches are called ‘coach’, and
players are called by their numbers.
2.
Plate
umpires need to come up the first base line with no one on to watch the action
at first. We know you can see from the plate, it just doesn’t convince the
coach when you have a close play or need to call obstruction that you had a
good angle or good look.
3.
Remember
the plate umpire has the lead runner into 3rd. The base umpire has the trail(s), i.e. the
other runner(s) and /or the batter runner.
In this instance the base umpire has the action at first, just like the
old mechanic. If the batter runner misses first and it’s appealed, the base
umpire has the call.
4.
We
are doing a GREAT job checking equipment. Several schools have already been
required to purchase new facemasks. That protects all of players, the coaches,
and us as UMPIRES.
Hope to see everyone at the April meeting.
MROS Rules
Interpreter
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