BASEBALL

The infield fly is one situation that impacts force plays. Since the batter is out, the force is removed and the runners may remain at their bases or advance at their own risk. Ramon Armendarlz, Los Angeles (left), and Kendall Snyder, Azalea, Ore. TOUR DE FORGE $--{*wr t* h{mv*gmt* F*nce-Fiay !ntri*mcl*s

iil, {,r,orgi, llL:mtirioi.t 81 is out and R1 must be tagged. to third because 81 became a batter- A force play occurs when a runner runner when he hit a fair ball. There f,orce plays are a crucial part of loses his right to the base he occupies is no requirement for F5 to run to I baseball. Whether or not a third because the batter becomes a batter- third and touch it for the play to be a out is a force play can determine runner (NFHS 2-29-3; NCAA 2-33; pro- force p1ay. Also, it would not matter whether or not a run scores. It also Definition of Force Play). A force can if R2 were declared out for leaving determines how a runner may be put subsequently be removed and umpires the baseline or for interfering with F5. out. If a runner is forced, he or the must recognize that when it happens. As long as R2 is retired before legally base to which he is advancing may Here is an actltal play where the touching third, the run cannot score. be tagged. In all other situations, the force out negated a run. A run cannot be scored if any runner runner must be tagged for an out to Play 2: With the bases loaded and is forced out for the third out (NFHS occur. The method of putting out a two out, 81 hits the ball toward third. 9-1-1 Exc. b; NCAA 5-6c Exc. 2, 8-5j AR runner is never a factor in determining F5 muffs the ball, which remains at his 1; pro 5.08a Exc.2/ 4.09a2). whether or not an out is a force out. feet. R2 sees F5 in his path and decides A force is removed when a runner Unless otherwise noted, the material to retreat. F5 recovers the ball, chases reaches the base to which he is forced applies equally to NFHS, NCAA and down R2 and tags him. R3 touches the to advance. When a runner is forced pro rules. plate before R2 is tagged. Ruling 2: out, the force is also removed on Here is an elementary example. The run does not score. R2's out is a any preceding runners, but not on Play 1: With R1 on first, 81 hits the force out. following runners. If the batter-runner ball hard to F3, who steps on first and The tag out does not change the is retired, force plays on all runners are fires the ball to F6 at second. Ruling 1: fact that R2 was forced to advance removed.

12 I REFEBEE May2O16 Play 3: With one out and R1 on Here is a play where the codes first, 81 hits a sharp one-hopper to F3. treat a force play differently. R1 does not react and remains at first. Play 5: With the bases loaded and F3 (a) tags R1 and then the base, or no one out, 81 hits into a 6-4-3 double Reelin' in the Years: (b) tags the base and then R1. Ruling play. R2, who ran on the pitch, scores The following apply to the 2016 3: The tag sequence is important and but misses third. On appeal, R2 is MLB crews (see page 79 makes the difference between one or called out for missing third. Ruling for the 201 6 roste0: two outs. 5: In NFHS and pro, the run counts .--38-- When 81 hit a fair baIl, a force because the missed base occurred after Years of MLB experience for ihe on R1 was (a) created. Thus in R1 is the out at second removed the force. most-tenured crew chief, Joe out. The fact he was still on first is In NCAA, the run does not count. West irrelevant - he was forced to advance. For purposes of running infractions, a When the base was subsequently force that exists at the time of the pitch 17_ Years of MLB tagged, a double play occurred. In (b), remains in effect throughout the play. experience for the least-tenured crew chief, the base was tagged first retiring 81, Infield fly. The removal of a force but that also removed the force on R1 play is the primary reason the infield _59_ who then became entitled to remain fly rule exists. Without that rule, a Average years of MLB experience at first. The subsequent tag on R1 fielder could allow the fly ball to drop for all crews meant nothing. If R1 had attempted and create a force on two runners to advance in (b), he would have to be making a cheap double play possible. ,o- Years of MLB experience for the tagged to be put out. Merely getting Play 6: With one out and runners most-tenured crew: West (38), the ball to second before R1 got there on first and second, 81 hits a high pop (19), would not be sufficient as the force up behind the mound. The umpires (16.5), (2.5) play no longer existed. call an infield fly. F1 first cails for the _ _ Here is another example where ball, then F4, followed by F6. In the 46.5 Years of MLB experience for the the force is removed on a preceding confusion, the ball falls on the back of least-tenured crew: Miller (17), runner. the mound and rolls away. R2 takes (16.5), Brian Play 4: With one out and runners off for third. F4 picks up the ball and Knight (7), (6) on first and second, B1 hits a grounder throws to F5 who hurries to third. to F4. The flip to F6 at second retires Ruling 6: The declaration of an infield R1. F6 then notices that R2 slipped and fly removed all force plays. R2 must fell on his way to third, so he throws be tagged before reaching third to be to F5 at third. Ruling 4: The force out declared out. Don't be afraid to yell to your partner that you are on the line .;, ) on R1 removed the force on R2 who l, t r; : : i. i, t r t I t i o i t., d.o! tr t tl l 5 r i i t i; ;,';t, or that the fly ball is in your was a preceding runner, so R2 must be ,i.rrirr.. Ir !l:t t.irr;'*tl \lll-r rlll coverage area. Normally umpire- tagged be i i t ! i, r t to retired. i.: ; i: t t .fi; r i h ; s I r; ! t ol' i)t! tt r t i,t. to-umpire signals should be discrete and happen before play is ready to resume, but when the ball is in play, communication remains vital. Umpires cannot take their eye off the ball to see Stand Out on the Field where a partner is, so verbal for the Right Reasons communication becomes key.

i:]r, lJihlr: Cabrera threw a tantrum Jor and "Whenever you have a tight Carapazza ejected him. Manager situation and there's a close pitch, ln 201a, MLB umpire Yic Carapazza Matt Williams came out and ended the umpire gets a squawk no Istood out during an NL Division up ejected as well. Intrigued, I closely matter how he calls it." Series game between the San observed the next few innings of Francisco Giants and Washington what turned out to be an 18-inning, * Red Nationals. 6:23 marathon that the Giants won. Barber In the bottom of the 10th inning, Among other things, I wanted to see sporrscasfer Carapazza called a strike on Asdrubal if there were more fireworks and from 1939-66. Cabrera of the Nationals in the lf Carapazza would maintain his upper-most part of the zone. Cabrera composure. After all, he was a fourth- expressed displeasure with the call year major league umpire working his but got back in the box, only to take a first playoff series, and most would third strike in the exact same spot. tell you that it takes about five years,

HEFEREE May2016 I 13 ::i :l:llli:l.:BrcEBALiL,liil

at a minimum, for an umpire to physical appearance, communication establish himself in the maior leagues skills, handling situations, judgment, and gain the participants' respect. rules knowledge, solid game ln each of the following, you are I think that is especially true now, management, and the like, I wanted given a situation and at least two see reacted when things possible answers. You are to decide when, for various reasons including to how they which answer or answers are correcl the replay system, there are so many got tough. for NFHS, NCM or pro rules, which new faces in the major league umpire If they had a goofy situation might vary. Solutions: p.81. ranks. I was curious to see if they or their strike zone seemed to 1. With R1 on first, R3 on third and would settle down and just play ball temporarily go south - and one out. 84 hits a ground ball to with a young guy behind the plate. especially if they made a call that the shortstop who gets R3 into a They did. After that little eruption, caused a controversy and perhaps led rundown between third and home. as far as I could tell, not a peep was to an ejection could they recover As the catcher chases R3 back to - third, he dives and makes a tag on said. Carapazzakept his composure and stay on an even keel? If not, I R3, falls to the ground and the ball and his zone right where it had been, chalked them up as not ready for pops out of his mitt when he hits and no one gave him any more grief. prime time. If they could, they had the ground. a. B3 is out. After awhile, the hometown fans even my attention. b. B3 is safe. got off his back. Everyone just moved Just as some players have the on. All of that impressed me all the "it" factor, some umpires do, and it 2. With the bases loaded and two out, BB singles. R3 scores, but more. strikes me that Carapazza may be one just before he crosses the plate, Sure, he is a major league umpire, of them. I thought he did everything his helmet comes off and lands in but they are human and humans right that night. First, he looked the ierritory. F7 attempts to throw fair sometimes falter and newer part not an ounce of body fat home to retire R2, but the throw - - - hits R3's helmet and deflects away. umpires tend to get more grief from and he had a decisive strike call and R1 reaches third and 88 reaches players and managers than veterans. motion. Both go a long way toward second before F2 retrieves the ball. It is fairly rare, in my book, for a earning respect. He was calling the a. R3 is out because his helmet came off. young umpire like Carapazza to outermost limits of the zone, making b. R3 can be called out if the command the kind of respect that he the batters swing the bat, but not helmet was intentionally removed. obviously does. cheating them by calling pitches two c. R2 is out because of the The way he handled himself that or three inches off the plate. Rule "interference." d. Play on. night really impressed me - and number one of calling pitches is to there's a lesson there for anyone call strikes whenever possible. In 3. Leading off an inning, BO bunts looking to move up the ranks. particular, he was calling the high the ball to the first-base side of the pitcher's mound. F1 misplays As a college supervisor for 22 strike, which some umpires continue the ball and deflects it into the years, I was often asked by young to be reluctant to do despite several baseline. 86 kicks the ball and it umpires what I paid attention to when years of being urged to do so by the goes into the dugout. evaluating umpires. I would tell them powers-that-be. a. 86 is out for being hit by a batted ball. that in addition to the usual stuff, like Second, having called a borderline b. 86 is always out for kicking the ball. c. 86 is out only if he intentionally kicked the ball. d. lf it is ruled 86 did not intentionally kick the ball, 86 is awarded first base. e. lf it is ruled 86 did not intentionally kick the ball, 86 is awarded second base.

4. With R1 on first, 84 hits a line drive to left-center field. As R1 slides into third base, he dislodges the base from its anchor. The base moves several feet into foul territory- The throw from F8 hits R1 and deflects back into left field. R1 gets up and attempts to score and 84 attempts to advance as well. a. R1 is out for interference. b. 84 must touch the bag, wherever it is. c. 84 need only touch the area where third base should be. Umpire of Palm Harbor, Fla., calmly listens to then- d. The ball is immediately dead manager Matt Williams following the ejection of Asdrubal Cabrera during game two of when the base becomes dislodged. the 2014 NLDS playoffs at Nationals Park. Williams was eventually ejected, too, and Carapazza's handling of the situation showed why he was selected for the playoffs.

14 I REFEREE t4ay20r6 strike against Cabrera, and having today. Competition to advance is big deal and it isn't your first rodeo, gotten some heat for doing so, he fierce, and umpires with ambition even if it is. came right back and rang up the same at any level must do something Obviously those sorts of things pitch for strike three. He knew he was to separate themselves from the pstcarupazza in a position where likely to get challenged, and he was, multitude of other umpires and attract he was chosen for a but he made the call. the attention of the powers-that-be. after a relatively brief time in the big \Atrhen Cabrera exploded on Attending camps and clinics is one leagues. And, just as obviously, they him, Carapazza never got excited or thing, as are networking, staying have resulted in his commanding the demonstrative, but instead just stood in top physical shape, honing one's type of respect, at a relatively early there and listened, looked Cabrera communication, people and game stage in his career, where, after having right in the eye and never wavered. management skills, hustling on the to eject two participants in the bottom And when Cabrera crossed the line field all of the time and keeping one's of the 10th inning in an important and deserved to go, Carapazza did nose clean. game before an animated home rrot go crazy with his signal. It was But in the end, a large component crowd, he could just move on down matter of fact. When Williams came of selling ourselves is handling the road without further ado. out, Carapazza calmly listened and things like Carapazza did. Don't get Aspiring umpires at any level of said a few things in a composed flustered. Keep your focus. Have the the amateur ranks can take a lesson manner until hearing the "magic guts to do what you have to do, but from what Carapazza did and didn't words," -when he ejected Williams, but in a low-key way. Look people in the do - and if they do, they may find again in a low-key way. He did what eyes when they're confronting you, themselves moving up the ladder at a needed to be done in a calm way. but don't get overly worked up. Don't far more rapid pace than otherwise. What's the lesson in all of this? let yourself be intimidated. And after lan liihla, Austin, Tcxas, is o ttctcran There are so many good umpires an ejection, keep your zone exactly Ltrtrltirc u:lut hns ryork:d sl,r NCzll at the college and high school level where it was before. Look like it is no l',i, i.;iott J Co//...', l\,,r/d S, rii'-. BASEBALL

Sell, Sell, Sell!

Fielder Collides With Umpire routinc play on the bases runner, the umpire can be equally Play: Rl is on first base I f\.doesn't nccd anythirrg more demonstrative r,r,ith what's callcd the when 83 bunts the ball between the mound and first base. Fl than a routine signal and verbal "punch out," also shown in PlayPic converges on the ball as F4 moves declaration. B. The umpile can step to the base to cover first base, but F1 runs into There are some plays, however, rvith one foot, bring his or her arm the base umpire and is unable to that don't fa11 in the routine back as if preparing to throw a throw to F4. 83 is safe at first while category. One example is when the punch and followir.rg through while Hl goes to second. Ruling: The play stands. The fielder is batter-runner and ball arrive almost shouting, "Ofi!" responsible for avoiding the umpire sirnultaneously at first base. In eitl-rer case, the movement (NFHS 2-21-2; NCAA 2-51; pro In those cases, Llmpires can should remain crisp and controlled, 2.00 intederence). add to their credibility ivith a little and the r.ocalization strong. Tl.re idca something extra in both voice and is to exude confidence, not over- Winning Run Assist? body language a techniqlle that's excitement. If an umpile looks Play: The game is tled, with - out one out in the bottom of the final commonly called "selling" the cal1. of control, judgment ccluld be called inning, and team A has the bases As shown in I']layPic A, if the into question. loaded. 87 hits a ily ball to right batter barely beats the throw, the There are also cases where the field. F9 catches the ball and umpire can step torvard the base umpire can add an additional signal immediately throws home. The off- target throw is not in time, but R3 rvith one foot, tl.rrust or-rt his or her and verbalization to emphasize misses the plate. Team A begins to artns and loudly annol11lce, "Safe!" they havc scen certain elements of celebrate, as teammates pile on R3 Where the ball barely beats the See "Sell" p.18 D behind the plate area. Meanwhile the first-base coach, realizing the umpire hasn't made a call, screams at his runner to retouch. F2 is trying to tag R3. Ruling: The umpire should call time when members of the offensive team leave the dugout, as that is a violation. R3 cannot be permitted to retouch the plate during the dead ball. As long as the defense doesn't leave the field, the defense can appeal R3 s missed base. Additionally, R1 and R2 can be called out for abandonment the moment they leave the bases to join ihe pileup. AII codes agree (NFHS 3-3-1a, 8-4-2p; NCM 5-2c, 8-5c; pro 2.00-interference, 5.06).

Batting Out of Order Play: With runners on second and third and no outs, Charles erroneously bats for Baker and grounds io F3, who is playing in and doesn't make an attempt for an out at {irst base. As F3 prepares to throw to F2 for a tag of R3 at home, Charles runs into F3. The plate umpire calls time for interference, rules Charles out and sends all runners back to their bases- The coach of the defense then calls time and appeals batting out of order. ls Charles still out? Ruling: When the coach appeals for batting out of order. Baker is declared out for failing to bat in proper order and the new proper batter is Charles with runners on second and third and one out (NFHS 7-1-1 Pen.; NCM 7-1 1a; pro 6.07).

't6 REFEREE N4ay 201 6 LTHEIN5J E OUTS OF UMPIRING lmprove every aspect of your Exit interview with former NCAA secretary-rules editor. umpiring. The books feature

REFEREE: What was it like being exped advice from baseball's Resides: Grand Junction, . secretary-rules editor for 12 years? Colo. Experiencel Former NCAA secretary-rules top minds and each has an PARONTO: lt was a rewarding time. editor. More than 40 years experience in It got hectic right before and during enhanced DVD video with baseball umpiring. Has worked the National the season, and then it would slow Junior College 15 times. Has game footage, animations and down a little bit in the summertime, also been assigned the Mountain West, and then it would start back up. voiced-over instruction. Western Athletic and Pac-10 (now Pac-12) Actually, I really enjoyed being the conference iournamenis. Selected to work secretary-rules editor. and being a the Division I Regionals in 1999. pad of baseball, being able to help coaches, being able to help players with questions. I really enjoyed it. REFEREE: ln your 12 years, what over the Rocky Mountain Athletic do you feel was the most significant Conference and the Rocky Mountains. rule change to college baseball? l'm involved in the training. I assist in PARONTO: I think the rules the summertime with the Wounded committee's insight into the slide rule Warrior Umpire Academy for our helped protect student-athletes. I think wounded warriors who are coming any of the rules that were enacted that back from deployment that want to dealt with safety have to be looked at find something else that they can do as positive changes. that they enjoy once they get out of REFEREE: How do you explain the the service completely. I still help the P/DH rule to a new umpire? Connie Mack and the Connie Mack

PARONTO: lf a coach comes up World Series in Farmington, N.M. I and says, "l'm going to do this," I help select and assign the umpires figure he knows the rule. But if he for the Junior College World Series in comes up and says, "Can I do this?" I Grand Junction, Colo. I umpired for figure he doesn't know the rule so l'm 15 years in the Junior College World going to tell him no. lt is a complicated Series over the last 25. It's a great rule, and I think we all have to really be tournament. Great teams, over a nine- on our toes and play some scenarios day period. lt's super, a lot of fun. Item Code: BBSBAS-5 before the season starts. What can REFEREE: What advice would Pages:88 I Size: 5.5" x 8.5" ihey do? What can they not do? you give Randy Bruns as the new Price: $17.95 I NAS0 Price: $14.36 REFEREE: lf you were still going to secretary-rules editor? be the secretary-rules editor the next PARONTO: Stay the course. four years, what changes would you But there's no question that is too like to see implemented in baseball? insignificant. Try to get back and PABONTO: lthink one is to get answer or offer a response to every rid of the third-to-firsi move. lt's time question that gets submitted. Yes, I consuming, not effective. I know it's know, sometimes it gets to be very there to control the running game, trying, and you work your real job all but it may work once in a season at day and come home at night and the some level. That would be one that I family says, "How come you're on think we should consider, and make the computer four or five hours every another shot at the instant replay for evening?" I believe thai if they ask a the regular season as well as during question, they deserve that answer the postseason. I know it's different as quickly as possible so they can because not every facility has the get on with their coaching or their video capabilities that we could playing, whatever it may be. Stay go to instant replay like they do in the course, and respond to the postseason. That's important. I wouldn't say those are major, but ; receive no matter how I think they would streamline the insignificant you feel game a little bii. the question might be BEFEREE: What does the future to you. lt's important hold for you now? to someone or they Pages: 96 | Size: 5.5"x 8.5" PARONTO: l'm still coordinating wouldn't have asked Price: $17.95 I NAS0 Price: $14.36 the umpiring for the Mountain West you. Conference and for the Scenic West Athletic Conference, junior college conference in the west, and I have, with the passing of Boss Barlow, taken BASEBALL

the base and verbalize, "Yes, O Sell he had of a coach coming out to challenge continued from p.1 6 the bag." That would be followed by the call. a strong out call. Ultimately, the "sell" is used so a play. That can be accomplished A point and appropriate that coaches, players and fans "buy" by pointing to the action and verbalizations can also be deployed into an umpire's ability to correctly verbalizing what is seen based on on an awkward tag play or where judge the play. the circumstances of the play. For the tag was barely applied. It is also important that umpires example, on a play at first where the The idea behind the point and reserve the "sell" for plays that truly first baseman is pulled off the bag verbalization is for the umpire to deserve it. to catch the throw and he regains leave no doubt that he or she saw Overuse makes it a less effective contact just prior to the runner the play and rendered an accurate tool for the umpire and can harm an arriving, the umpires can point judgment to - reducing the likelihood umpire's credibility. Not Entirely Safe While on the Base f enerally speaking, achieving catcher r,vill tag them both, just to \Ja base provides an element of be safe. That also gives umpires an safety for runners from being called extra moment to make sure they out - but not always. are calling out the right runner. There are several occasions Unless forced to advance by the when the base does not provide batter becoming the batter-runner, safe haven for the runner. Those a runner does not lose the right to situations include: occupy a base. In those cases, the . Forced to advance. If a runner preceding runner is out. If forced is forced to advance by the batter to advance by the batter becoming becoming the batter-runner, the base a batter-runner, the runner that is is no longer a safe haven for that forced to advance is out. runner, unless the batter-runner is o Intentional acts, A runner does retired first. In those cases, runners not have to vacate his base to permit must attain the next base or they are a fieider to catch a fly ball in the at risk of being tagged out. infield, as shown in the PlayPic, but . Hit by batted ball. When a they may not interfere. Regardless runner is hit by a fair batted ball of whether a runner legally occupies before it touches or passes an a base, doing anything deliberately infielder (other than the pitcher), the to impede the fielder making a play runner is out regardless of whether on the ball - even a thrown ball in he is standing on the base. The one the case of an intentional act will exception is an infield fly. result in an interference call (NFHS- A further caveat in NFHS and 8-2-8). NCAA: The runner can still be out In pro, if the umpire judges when hit by a fair batted ball after for "a chance to field it" is if the that the runner "willfully and it passes an infielder if another ball passes within an arm's reach of deliberately" interferes with the infielder is in position to make a the fielder. The "step-and-a-reach" "obvious intent to break up a double play on the ball. It is not a common guideline applies only when a play," both the runner and the situation, but it could happen if runner is attempting to avoid a tag. batter-runner are called out (6.01). some infielders are playing in and If the first fielder does not have a NCAA rules are similar, with some remain closer to normal depth. legitimate chance to field the bali, both the runner and batter-runner In pro, however, it does not the runner is out regardless whether declared out when a runner necessarily matter if a deeper fielder another fielder can field the ball intentionally interferes and a double could have made a play. The key is (NFHS 5-7-1f , 8-4-2k, 5.71H, 8.4.21, play is likely (8-5d). whether the first (shallower) fielder 8.4.2 K; NCAA 6-2e, 8-2g, 8-5k, Under NFHS rules, both the had a chance to field it. If so, and interp; pro 5.09f, interp). runner that intentionally interferes he chose not to, the runner would . Two runners on the same and the "other runner involved" not be out. Whether the fielder had base. Only one runner is entitled where the likely double play could- a legitimate chance to field the ball to occupy a base. If there are two have taken place are called out is a judgment call. The guideline runners on the same base, a smart (8-a-2s). -

18 I REFEREE May2016