Can home plate ump call a runner out for stealing early? (discussion)

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prialvarenga
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Can home plate ump call a runner out for stealing early? (discussion)

Post by prialvarenga » Thu Jun 15, 2017 6:05 pm

hey guys,

I coach a senior recreation softball team. I want to know if the umpire behind the plate can call a runner out for leaving early? Shouldn't the ump be worrying about the ball and strike zone not the runner (there are other umps for that). If so, can I please be provided "proof". Just so when it happens again, I am ready :)
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OhioTex
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Re: Can home plate ump call a runner out for stealing early?

Post by OhioTex » Thu Jun 15, 2017 6:22 pm

The short answer is likely yes. If the runner left early. And hone ump saw it, and called it . Even if not normal, unlikely wrong.

To reply with more specifity,

what age/level ball? What rule set ? ( Ncaa nfhs usssa nsa asa usa softball)

How many umps, ? What position were runners at, how many outs. .. these things can impact how the ump crew are dividing up assignments..
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prialvarenga
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jun 15, 2017 6:02 pm

Re: Can home plate ump call a runner out for stealing early?

Post by prialvarenga » Thu Jun 15, 2017 6:25 pm

Hi,


there were 3 umps. 2 on the filed and 1 behind the plate. the girls are from 14-18

I honestly don't remember how it was on the field.

however, that being said. How is the ump going to decide if the ball is a strike or not if he/ she is worrying about the runner?
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OhioTex
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Re: Can home plate ump call a runner out for stealing early?

Post by OhioTex » Thu Jun 15, 2017 6:34 pm

(moderator note: topic moved to "Rules Discussion" thread as this did not specifically pertain to iScore use)

Ok- 3 man ump mechanics. (2 man crew is much more common, perhaps higher level ball or championship game of a tournament)

I assume Fast pitch softball and sounds like high school age. Below is how NFHS would teach primary responsibility for 'left early' in the 3 man crew. (1 plate ump and 2 base umps, BU1 working out of the A and B position and BU2 working out of C position.) (some follow up research shows this is the same mechanic for NCAA softball)

For the following base runner situations, the base ump with primary responsibility for 'left early' on each runner.
  • R1 only - BU1 A position R1
    R2 only - BU1 B position R2
    R3 only - BU2 C position ump R3
    R1,R3 - BU1 B position R1, BU2 C position R3
    R1,R2 - BU1 B pos R2, BU2 C Pos R1
    R1,R2,R3 - BU1 B pos R2, BU2 C pos R1 and R3
The last two are the most odd ones. some crews may vary from "the book" based on in field communications and game situations.

The plate ump as you see, would not normally have primary responsibility for any 'left early', but he can still see well 60 ft down the line or 85 feet up the middle, and if something caught his peripheral eye before the pitch he could conceivably call the time out and left early call. If a plate umpire saw something that caused him to make that call, i would expect the base umps would support him. i would not see subject to official protest, the ump crew may conference over it, but i doubt would change it if the plate umpire saw it.

To your last and main question, the "time out" "left early" call by a home plate ump would proceed a pitch, makeing ball/strike call mute. A plate ump in both baseball and softball has more responsibilities than just balls and strikes, including before the pitch responsibility. The obvious one is watching pitchers for balks and illegal pitches, in addition a good ump scans the field for other miscellaneous things that can cause a time out, e.g. stray ball in the field of play, equipment on deck, unprotected player in an on field bull pen. etc etc.

In sum, yes, the plate ump would not normally be the one who makes a left early call, but it is not precluded by rule, and i can not rule out that it can legitimately happen.
Last edited by OhioTex on Fri Jun 16, 2017 5:08 am, edited 7 times in total.
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