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Ask the Umpire

Please post any questions about rules or calls

Pitchers In the set position

Must a LHP come to a set before throwing to first base to pick off a runner? Must a RHP come to a set before throwing to first base to pick off a runner?

NO the pitcher only has to come to the set position for 1 second before he deliveres to home plate

Pitchers In the set position

Just wanted to get clarification on a pitching issue. My son was pitching in a game against Plymouth Gray tonight. He was pitching from the stretch and was warned that his glove or hands were too high when he set his feet. If there is indeed a rule on this I would appreciate any info you could give so I can make sure my son knows where his hands need to be. He's never been warned on this before, so that is why I ask the question.

The rule book says that a pitcher must come to the set position with the ball below his chin.

infield fly Ruling

There are usually a lot of questions when an infield fly is called. During a game I was involved in. My team was in the field and the other team had the bases loaded with no outs. The batter hit a routine pop fly on the infield about even with first base. The runners were in motion and the base umpire called in-field fly rule. The batter was out automatically. My first baseman caught the pop fly. The runners from 1st and 3rd had not recognized it was a pop up and had continued toward the next base, my first baseman stepped on 1st base before the runner returned and then threw to third base before that runner could return safely or tag up. I argued the call and was told by the base umpire that the runners were safe because he had called an infield fly and it was a dead ball situation. Shouldn't this have been a triple play? (Both umpires calling this game were certified). Just curious. I did not think a dead ball situation could occur except for the ball going out of play or some kind of interference.

This should have been call a triple play, the ball is not dead on and infield fly. Runners may advance on there own, but must tag up before advancing to the next base after the player catches the ball. I would have informed the umpires at that time that I was protesting the game. And then file the protest.

fails to slide Rule

Is a base runner automatically out if he fails to slide on a play at the plate or at any other base?

NO in fact a base runner is not required to slide at any base. BUT he may NOT cause malicious contact to any fielder. The penalty for malicious contact is, your out and ejection from the game. IF I was coaching a team and the umpire called one of my players out for not sliding on a close play, first I'd chew out my player for not sliding then I'd ask for time out and go out (very quietly) to the umpire and ask if he did call the player out because he did not slide. If he says yes then I'd inform him I will be filing a protest from this point of the game on because WIAA & NFHS do not have a rule to call out players for not sliding. And then follow it up and file the protest.