softball umpire - thank you for your advice

Question
QUESTION: Runner is on second.  Tom hits a grouder to shortstop. Runner unintentionally hindes SS.  SS i still able to throw Tom out at Firstbase.  Is the Runner out too?

ANSWER: Hi James,

It doesn't matter if R1 intended to or unintentionally hindered F6, we have interference, dead ball, R1 is out and the b-r is awarded 1st base.  Since interference is a immediate dead ball no further plays can be made.

The only way the b-r would be out is if the umpire thought R1 was attempting to break up a double play, such as interfering w/ F6 throwing to 1st after a quick tag on R1.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: IN a 2 umpire system, when the plate umpire covers 3b, the base umpire rotate in and covers the plate.  I think a base umpire should not cover the plate, the plate umpire should move back to cover the plate.

ANSWER: Hi James,

I do know some local assocs do this but.....

NO...NO....NEVER.....NEVER....NO....NO....NEVER, NEVER... GET MY DRIFT!  In an ASA 2 umpire system the BU NEVER covers the plate (unless the PU has dropped dead and is lying on the field somewhere)

Actually I saw it once, down in OK City and I thought the UIC "Bernie...for those who know and love him" was going to go apoplectic, in fact I think he did, dam' near almost stroked out and died right there...Now imagine this, the BU is 5'10 about 275, lone runner on long hit ball to center who the BU watches touch 2nd and now the BU turns and heads directly to the plate on a line.  As he reaches the pitcher's plate area somehow (maybe God told him because we could all see it coming)he glances back and here's this rocket headed right for his head.  This guy, all 275 of him spreads his arms wide and does a swan dive into the dirt, no kidding swanned right into the dirt, obviously bumped a few times on his landing. (I gave him a 7.5) I was laughin' so hard I thought I was going to break a rib.  I look over at Bernie and he's as red as a ripe tomato just screaming into his microphone....
somewhere in a closet at home I have a vhs tape of this, if that umpire is still working maybe I could come to a "fair price" for it.  Oh never mind nobody has a vhs tape player anymore.

OK... ASA does not teach, never has taught and as far as I know never will teach in 2 man for the BU to cover home under any circumstance other than the PU being on the ground somewhere and then technically that's 1 man.  In 2 man the PU has responsibility to move back to home if a call needs to be made there.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I should know this one.  B1 has an altered bat that is detected by the PU before B1 enters the batter's box.  What is the ruling?

Answer
Hi again James

detected BEFORE entering the bb, preventive umpiring as is proper......just tell them to get a different bat BUT if they enter the bb I get an out and an ejection because they're not too smart.

I really don't care to eject someone but all umpires like an out.

Mark