This page is a very interesting discussion of the spitball, its evolution and reveals the history of defacing a baseball. 8.02a The pitcher shall not (1) bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitching rubber…(2) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the …
This section contains questions pertaining to MLB Rule Three – Game Preliminaries. It is designed as a self-test to challenge your knowledge. 1. Jones, a starter, is removed from the game for Smith. Two innings later the head coach approaches the umpire between innings and says Jones will bat for Smith. Jones is in the batter’s box …
In Game Management Principles Four for Umpires we discuss stealing home, missing the plate, rundowns, and interference from the umpire-in-chief’s perspective. WORKING HOME PLATE/UMPIRE IN CHIEF: What if the Batter Steps on the Plate? Both feet of the batter must be in the batter’s box at the time of the pitch The batter’s box lines …
The umpire crew in the George Brett pine tar incident did get it correct. Then they changed the rule. The following is taken from ESPN’s countdown of the 100 most memorable moments of the last 25 years #67. “Home Run Nullified, Brett Goes Ballistic.” Billy Martin, the mischievous manager of the New York Yankees, had …
His Contribution to Baseball Lena Blackburne and his contribution to baseball is unusual. Blackburne was born on October 23, 1886 in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. However, he lived most of his life in Palmyra, New Jersey. He was a mediocre player to say the least. He batted and threw right handed. With a lifetime batting average of .214, he hit …
What are the mechanics and procedures of Balk Calls? When a balk occurs the ball does not become dead immediately. Point at the pitcher and say “balk” or “that’s a balk.” The ball only becomes dead when the umpire calls time or when play stops (when it is apparent that all runners including the batter-runner …
Baseball rule five deals with putting the ball in play, awarding of bases and how “time” is given and why. 5.01 To put the ball in play call “PLAY” – We usually call “PLAY BALL” at the beginning of a game and in innings after the first inning call “PLAY”. Remember if a game is scheduled for 6PM for example, again …
The Spitball Pitchers in baseball caused MLB to put the spitball rule into effect in 1920. Baseball Rule Eight, The Pitcher (refer to MLB Rule Book 8.02(a)1-6. This baseball rule is very clear and to violate this rule and throw or alter the baseball with any of the following: 1. Spit Ball 2. Mud …
This section contains questions pertaining to MLB Rule Four – Starting and Ending a Game. It is designed as a self-test to challenge your knowledge. Answers and rulings are given at the end. 1. After six innings the home team leads 2-0. In the top of the seventh inning, the visiting team scores four runs. …
In Game Management Principles Five for Umpires we discuss ejection rule tips to regard. Make sure you’re always in control and know when to eject. How will you handle objections to your decisions and unsportsmanlike conduct? EJECTION RULE TIPS TO REGARD: In most cases an umpire should warn a player before ejection Any umpire can …