There is not a single person who knows every rule in baseball and remembers it. MLB players and coaches included. The most important rule is "don't make yourself look like an ass!"

The manager knew the rule. He had nothing to complain about.

Perfectly called, mechanic, everything!!

@@mlbhighlights1177 no

@@mlbhighlights1177 wrong, dead ball strike

It can't be a "hit by pitch" if the batter swings.

I think folks here are misunderstanding, and it's the one area where I was a little confused (but now straight). I figured it was strike 3, but I also figured that the runner would have a chance to beat the throw to first since it was a strike 3 that was not caught. But it's a dead ball, so it all makes sense.

This one drives me so nuts I can't even begin to describe it. *Especially* when coaches don't know the difference, which is infuriating. It's hard to patiently explain to a 13U or 14U coach what constitutes a foul tip, and that the ball is still live, not dead. Honorable mention goes to when a ball hits the ground then hits the batter. It would amaze you how many people don't know that, no, the ball isn't dead because it hit the ground first -- it's still a hit by pitch. They don't even stop to think about why insisting that the ball is dead is an idiotic thing to say. What about a passed ball? Or a ball in the dirt that the catcher blocks? Are those dead balls because they hit the ground, too? (For this one, I've only ever had one coach try to make this claim, but it was a Little League juniors coach, and that's just pathetic.)

@@XXelpollodiabloXX No wonder I didn't recognize the video right away.

@@XXelpollodiabloXX seriously drives me insane when that said foul ball and foul tip= the same its not.

@@critter2 Or if they say "foul tick"...

This isn't an interpretation of the rule it's the actual rule. If you swing and the ball hits you anywhere it's a strike. If you swing, miss and the pitch hits your head it's a strike.

if you are an umpire with a passion for getting the calls right, I would recommend you rely on reading the rulebook, not some guy on the internet. Even if the guy on the internet is correct.

@@gizzyguzzi This isn’t for an umpire but some idiot fan or coach that would scream at you the rest of the game because they don’t know a rule.

Hahahaha

They work for ESPN, what did you expect?

The Umpire was checking if the ball hit the batter first or the bat first, he wasn't checking the rules.

He initially called foul ball. Upon review, saw it hit the hands, not the bat and correctly reversed his decision to a swinging strike.

It’s just a foul ball

@@letsgobrandoniagree6803 You're only about 10% correct.....read my initial reply one more time......

@@prsguitars42 I didn’t know it was a dead ball if it hit the hands. If someone swings and it hits them in the stomach year that would be an out but I thought it was a foul ball.

I've always HATED that example; obviously no one actually believes hands are literally part of a bat, and the rules could easily be written such that hands would be considered part of the bat in the context of a swing, just as the glove is considered part of the body for purposes of a tag, even though clearly there are no bodies attached to gloves in the store, yet the laces are not considered part of the glove for purposes of a tag, even though all gloves actually do have laces, so proving that there are no hands attached to the bat illustrates nothing to me. However, every umpire ever seems to think this is so very clever and completely disposes of the question.

Yeah I had that happen before. Batter swing hit his hands he dropped the bat and shook his hand. Catcher and pitcher just stared at him and I’m about to call dead ball when the guy jets to first. All hell breaks loose and my partner doesn’t seem me waiving it off and calls him safe at a close play. They didn’t like my explanation they thought I had called time “for no reason” just to screw them over. It wasn’t even strike 3 so he had to get back in the box with a 2-2 count.

I had that in a high school game. 1-2 pitch. Batter ran to first. I killed the play called it hit by pitch and out on the swing.. Head coach of the boys team came out to ask how I made that call. I explained the rule to him. He said, took a lot of guts and the boy's parents hate you now as he chuckled and walked off the field. The coach later said he has had that happen before against his team and the batter got first since he beat the throw. I said, well, now you know. He was a good coach who never yelled, would always talk with the umpire about the call. Even if he disagreed, he was never disagreeable.

Would be nice to see that actual survey.

But the force is off if they advance at their own risk if the fielder lets it drop or they “tag” up . The fielder thinks it’s fielder choice and if doesn’t tag the runner he is safe. It’s not infield fly if the runners are on second and third it’s to protect the offense from just dropping the ball to turn two. What about A soft liner does that apply?

What about a runner on first and a base hit or fly ball and the short stop covers the bag at second to fake the tag to get the runner doubled off by sliding into second or keeping them going first to third on a base hit. I’ve seen the SS ejected for doing this and also seen the umpire do nothing and allow the runner to be doubled up on a fly ball. What’s the rule? It’s shady for the SS to do this to me and should be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, but I’m not sure what the rule actually is.

All umpires are to point up and yell infield fly batters out clearly so everybody knows runners and fielders and coaches and fans

@@ch3blazinggospel669 There's an intentional drop rule for line drives.

@@ch3blazinggospel669 It's not illegal to fake a play that you know you can't make, but you're not allowed to obstruct the runner's path without the ball if there's a chance of (or actual) collision. Whether the ball is dead immediately if obstruction occurs varies between rule sets.

yet they will scream at your nonsense like "the hands are part of the bat", "he didn't slide", "he was going for the ball", "pitcher was on the mound" and any other countless things that are not a part of the rule they are trying to draw attention to. The ump should have a smart phone and quickly search for the rule and then send it to a monitor facing the crowd. That would be a big improvement at every level of the game.

LostDutchman I think someone said that the Japanese have the umpire give the crowd the ruling over a mic on some of the more controversial calls.

@@119Agent - My favorite is "he didn't pull the bat back", when the batter is bunting and doesn't move on a pitch that is no where near the strike zone.

What I've done in those types of situations is ask the umpire to call and ask his assigner or look it up sometime after the game so he knows for future games. Most umpires are not going to take well to a coach or someone else telling them their wrong in the game. Asking them to look into it after the game from a person or source they trust at least gets them corrected. Of course if this is in a tournament you may have the option of protesting to get a correct ruling.

It is a dead ball when it hits him, but it's also a strike.

Ok, but the pitch would've never hit the batter's hand if he didn't swing at it and subsequently hit it near the handle of the bat. That's different than simply hitting the batter with a pitch. The batter's hands are covering part of the bat, so when it's held, the hands are part of the bat technically. If there's a no swing, then it's hit by a pitch. If there's a swing, that's different, either foul or fair ball.

nah it just educating themsleves i done same in rec.

@@IrrationalBstrd so if i put my hand inside a baseball glove, does that make my hand part of the glove? of course not. "covering" part of the bat does not MAKE it part of the bat. covering a table with a tablecloth does not make the tablecloth part of the table. other relevant examples are numerous...

@@cloudwatcher724 if you are playing defense and you tag the runner with the tip of your glove, which contains the ball, the runner is out. Just the same as tagging the runner with the ball in your throwing hand. The glove became an extension of your hand with it on, did it not? If the batter hit the ball into fair territory off of his hand, would it be a strike, a foul ball or fair play?

@@IrrationalBstrd the glove is NOT an extension of the hand. let's settle the difference between a piece of equipment and an extension of the player's body. NO piece of equipment--bat, glove, cleats, cup--is an extension of any part of the player's body. it is simply a piece of equipment that allows the game to be played better and safer. any baseball rule book you care to read will define each piece of equipment and how it can be legally used in play. never ONCE does ANY rule book define ANY piece of equipment as an extension of the player's body. so that's settled. as for your second question: any completed swing where the BAT (a piece of equipment, mind you) does NOT make contact with the pitched ball is, by rule definition, a strike, regardless of any other contact made or where the ball goes. it is important that these topics are addressed in the rule book(s) and are not subject to hypothetical discussion.

They get paid.

@@superstarreviews9937 no, they don't. they have to make their own travel arrangements as well. I don't even know if they get lodging; I assume they get to stay in some bunkhouse at the LL facility just like the players, but I don't know for sure.

Tic Tack they’re volunteers

Tic Tack I umpired Little League many years, both regular season and tournaments. We didn’t get paid for tournaments. It’s all volunteer. Now during the regular season, we were paid by the local leagues per game. Pay depended on the age level of the game (Little League, Junior League, Senior, etc.).

I noticed that as well but i think most people are too young to get the reference.

Technically that's not a strike. The definition of a swinging strike is that the batter has to OFFER at the pitch. Attempting to not get hit by the ball is not offering at the pitch and should not be called a swinging strike even if the bat goes through the zone. Of course, this is the judgement of the umpire. Most umpires will likely judge he offered at the pitch, but I've seen them rule both ways.

Does the batter get to run to first since the catcher didn't catch the ball on third strike?

@@reidrichter4292 No, per rule 6.05 (e), the batter is out.

@@reidrichter4292 - any time the ball hits the batter (whether he swings or not) it is a dead ball, therefore he can't attempt to reach 1st and any runners on the base cannot advance.

I tried to upvote this 8 times, but it wouldn't let me do it!!!! WAAHHH WAHHH!

That is why baseball is life. It teaches so much about life because baseball is an imperfect game. Players, coaches, and umpires make errors and failure is everywhere, just like in life. Those who can move on and still succeed will do well in the rest of life too. You were rightly frustrated, but it didn't prevent you from being able to pitch. You didn't go ask for your "safe space" to suck your thumb. You dealt with it and kept pitching. Glad you still won!

MJH-Baseball I never thought about it quite that way. Thanks for the great insight!

Thanks. I don't think I called them "stupid." And if I did, that would be wrong. Ignorant, yes. But being ignorant is simply not knowing something yet. I'm ignorant of a lot of things until I learn them. That being said, there is really no excuse for commentators to be ignorant of baseball rules that are really simple to learn. Just do a search of "Baseball Rule Myths." That alone would solve 90% of baseball commentator errors in reporting.

@@MJHBaseball - Run time 130 of your video if you want a replay I never put too much stock in Announcers Game calling though. Still a great video and .....thanks for keeping em honest

Okay, but that is saying, "So you don't SOUND stupid." It's like when my kids did something stupid and I told them, "That was a stupid thing to do." and they say, "Mom, dad called me stupid." No, I didn't CALL YOU stupid. I said what you did was stupid. LOL But, yes, I could have used a better word there.

No absolute professional, but a little leauge umpire. If there was no time called than it is still a live ball. Usually they wait untill the play is dead so the runners can't do that. So if there was time called and then they checked, the umpire is correct

@@briskorange how can they appeal if time is called?

Yes, you are correct joshy hulkower. In the play you explain Time had been called. Therefore the defense needed to have the umpire put the ball in play before they could appeal which they did. If the ball is LIVE for the appeal, then it's LIVE for the stolen base. But, understand that this is such a rare type of situation that expecting lower level umpires to know how do deal with this may be asking too much? The older you get the better the umpiring gets too (usually). Whoever that runner on 3rd was...smart base runner.

@MJH-Baseball Great, to the point, you answered what was asked. However I would have liked to know a couple of other facts: Most importantly at what level of baseball was this game played (i.e. what rules applied). How many outs were there before the fly ball out? Did an umpire call time after the runners reached 2nd & 3rd? Was the appeal made successfully/legally after the steal of home? and what was the umpire's call? I think your advice regarding umpires means that this game was played at a lower level. I also believe that your excellent observation that the runner at third was very smart to advance/steal home. I believe the steal of home would not have been attempted at higher levels of baseball at all. In lower levels of baseball, the head coach is usually the 3rd base coach. He would have known if the runner originally at 3rd left too soon on the fly ball and if an umpire was in a position to know he left too soon. That knowledge and other things may have led him to send the runner. For fun: My questions to your followers are: 1. Why might the coach want to have him steal home on the appeal? 2. How many runs would score in the above scenario (including the steal of home) if before the fly ball out, there were no outs; or one out; and the appeal was successful (runner was called out)? @MJH-Baseball: I know you would know the answers but it might be fun to see what your followers know or can figure out. I just recently found you, liked the content and subscribed. If your followers can come up with the right answers I would encourage them and others to volunteer to become baseball umpires at some level. Men and especially women are needed. Instead of complaining about umpires join them and help improve the quality of umpiring in your area, particularly at the lowest levels to start and thenwork your way up as desired. You will learn the most with the sometimes strange plays that happen at the lowest levels that don't happen at the upper levels. Help the students enjoy baseball/softball, gets some exercise yourself, and some pocket money as you move up. If you like to attend games understand that the rules of baseball are not the same at every level. Demonstrate good sportsmanship. Remember that the players watch how you, the coaches, and the umpires behave. Don't expect the umpires at the lowest levels to know everything. Even the pros mess up. If you want to learn, buy a rule book. Understand that even the rule book does not have all the rules and interpretations in it. Let the umpires umpire, and the fans cheer.

@@MJHBaseball One thing that should be mentioned; why was time called?? One mistake that I see younger kids do is to call time when there is no reason to call time. I've seen on plays like that, that the shortstop may receive the ball from the outfield, several feet back of his position, and call time as he runs in. I will say to him "No, no, no, balls in play". I know why they do that. To keep the runner on third from trying to run home and score. An umpire does not have to call time just because someone asks for it. The player should have either ran it in to the pitcher or throw it in to him. OR, if the coach wants him to appeal the tag up, just take the ball to third base and say, to the umpire, "I appeal that he left the base too soon". A lot of people also think that, to make an appeal, while the ball is in play, they HAVE to go to the mound, put the foot on the rubber, step off and then verbally appeal. No, just throw the ball over to third, or carry it, and make an appeal. If the runner takes off, tag the bag, make the appeal and throw the ball home!! BTW, a tip for the defensive coach. Tell the fielder to not have the ball in the glove, carry it in your throwing hand all the way to the bag. That will give the runner a second thought on running home.

I believe that any ball that hits the bat first is considered a hit ball. In the case you talked about the other team should have thrown the ball to first And got the out.

@Kalen Shoot drop 3rd

@Kalen Shoot You must not have listened to the video. It cannot be a foul ball because the ball never struck the bat. It only struck the player's hands, which is the same as if the ball hit the player's leg, arm, or any other part of his body. It's an immediate dead ball when the ball hits the player in the batter's box. There is no opportunity for the catcher to catch the pitched ball, as the ball is dead immediately upon hitting the player. Since the player swung, it's strike 3 swinging and immediate dead ball. Done.

@@kgbricks7426 Nope. Ball is dead IMMEDIATELY upon touching the batter, so there is nothing to drop. No different than if the batter swung at a wicked curve bally that ends up hitting the player's ankle. Swinging strike 3 and immediate dead ball. Batter is out and no runners may advance, since it's a dead ball.

@@67L48 you're right. Good point

Jack what excatly happen i know you posted this two years ago if you still remember it please share with me if you don't mind

Then they should have said that. Based on everything they actually said, they simply didn't understand the rule.

Deadball strike if he had 2 strikes on him. it would be strike 3

They often don't know when it's interference or when it's obstruction either. They call everything interference.

They know 3 strikes and you're out. 4 balls and a walk. 3 outs in a half inning. Caught balls are outs. That's about it. If anything goes off script, announcers don't know anything. They don't know any interference or obstruction rules. They rarely can talk intelligently about infield fly rule. Balks and legal pitching motions are about as mysterious to them as quantum physics. Lots of phantom rules like tie goes to the runner, 45-degree line to determine a balk on a pick-off move, I've heard them call batted balls that hit home plate foul balls, hands part of the bat, and on and on. Announcers never bother to know the rules -- they're too busy telling canned personal interest stories to ever be bothered by the actual sport.

That is why we have professionally trained umpires whose job it is to apply the rules. Players play, umpires rule....commentators commentate. Next question...how would an accredited scorer score this for both the batter and the pitcher? Can of worms isn't it? Reminds me of the old sayings of Det. Harry Callahan relating to opinions.

Yes. I've seen pitches behind a batter that hit the bat. That's a foul ball.

Haven't done that one yet (batting out of order.) Most baseball people don't understand that rule, so it's worth doing. The player "goofing off" one is technically correct. If the team we played had that happen, I'd argue with the umpire about enforcing it. It's taking a technicality and applying it to a clear innocent act. I never seen it happen, however.

In my league I got hit in the hands and I was told my hands are apart of the bat THEY LIED TO ME

They are because if your hands weren’t there it would be a foul so it would be a foul ball

@@sebgaming5937 Yes they did...or they just didn't know. In NO league anywhere at anytime have the hands been considered a part of the bat. EVER. Softball or baseball. But you'll still have people insisting they are "in their league."

The crazy Chicken take your bat outside and over grass so you don’t screw up your bat. But drop it. Did the hands go with it? No they don’t. Hands aren’t part of the bat

jack jon yeah but take your hands out of the equation if the bat was just sitting there and it hits the bat it would be a foul ball if it hits where your hands should be on a bat it’s a foul because your hands aren’t there if you put your hands on the barrel and swing and it hits your hands is it a hit by pitch? Edit:No XD XD

It's bad enough that the players on my team found out about this channel. I do my best to remain unanimous.

@@MJHBaseball oh ok

@@MJHBaseball Unanimous or anonymous?