Page 1 of 1

Can an umpire (HS) reverse foul call?

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:37 am
by FDT92
Last night (at high school game) we had a slow little blooper that was hit between the 1st and 2nd baseman (edge of the grass). 2nd baseman was running hard for it, and it the ball hit of the tip of her glove (a good 10 ft from the line) and rolled foul. (the ball was tailing that way). The girls knew it was a live ball and continued. The batter runner had already reached first as the ball crossed the line.

The umpire called foul, after the BR reached first.

When appealed, the opposing coach came out and told the umpires that by rule, they cannot reverse a foul ball call. The umpires admitted on the field it was a bad call but that they could not reverse it.

I thought that was a myth.

Re: Can an umpire (HS) reverse foul call?

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:33 am
by ixamnis
I'm certainly not an expert in the rules. But figure once they've made a dead ball call, not much can happen after that.

Re: Can an umpire (HS) reverse foul call?

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:22 pm
by PetroGuy
I'm not sure about softball, but I know HS baseball rules state that once a ball is called foul, it can not be overturned. I don't have my FED book handy to give a cite on that so hopefully someone can chime in with the relevant rules.

Re: Can an umpire (HS) reverse foul call?

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:11 am
by Bryan D Shepherd
Once a foul ball is called foul in softball, that's it. Foul Ball. End of Story.

Re: Can an umpire (HS) reverse foul call?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:13 pm
by kjboyleii
NFHS Baseball Rule 10-1-4: Any umpire's decision which involves judgment, such as whether a hit is fair or foul, whether a pitch is a strike or a ball, or whether a runner is safe or out, is final. But if there is reasonable doubt about some decision being in conflict with the rules, the coach or captain may ask that the correct ruling be made. The umpire making the decision may ask another umpire for information before making a final decision. No umpire shall criticize or interfere with another umpire's decision unless asked by the one making it.

Re: Can an umpire (HS) reverse foul call?

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:54 pm
by Bryan D Shepherd
Realistically, the only judgement calls that can be changed are safe/out and strike.

Safe/out - If an umpire thinks that a fielder pulled her foot he can rule him/her safe and then have a quick conference to find out if the fielder did.
Strike - Everyone knows this one...did the batter swing?