Welcome Umpires Rob McKinley Lead Instructor Restroom- outside and to the left (you need the key) Cell Phones- OFF or on Vibrate Our Room- keep it clean and please help reset the chairs when the meeting is finished

Questions from Last Meeting The material from last week is on the Training Page of AZBOA for your review or if you missed last meeting. AZBOA > Training > Area Meetings At the bottom of the page select either the Varsity or Sub Varsity files by clicking on the link. The files are Power Point Shows, you will download to your PC to view. To advance the slide show simply “left” click your mouse and the show will advance at your leisure.

2016 AZBOA Baseball Rules Meetings AZBOA Balk Video meXSjGIg 20 Minutes to Complete (12 to watch & 8 to discuss)

2016 AZBOA Baseball Rules Meetings Rule Seven Batting 30 Minutes to Complete

Rule 7: Batting 7-1-1: Position & Batting Order:  Batting Order follows NAME not numbers. Numbers must be listed, but only used as an aid to identify. A player with an incorrect number will not be penalized. Cubs Baseball Team Manager: Mark Warner Date: Feb NameNumber Position 1)Albert Able #24 2B 2)Billy Boyd#13 #18 1B 3)Carl Conner#223B 4)Devin Dowdy#1C 5)Evan Epley#44LF 6)Frank Frisch#3P 7)Greg Gates#29CF 8)Howard Hanes#55DH 9)Indy Jones#7RF 10)John Jackson#6SS Subs: Kong #4 / Lewis #32 / Morris #12 Cubs Baseball Team Manager: Mark Warner Date: Feb NameNumber Position 1)Albert Able #24 2B 2)Billy Boyd#13 #18 1B 3)Carl Conner#223B 4)Devin Dowdy#1C 5)Evan Epley#44LF 6)Frank Frisch#3P 7)Greg Gates#29CF 8)Howard Hanes#55DH 9)John Jackson#6SS 10)Indy Jones#7RF Subs: Kong #4 / Lewis #32 / Morris #12

7-1-1: Position & Batting Order:  Proper Batter = if he is batting and he follows the previous legal batter or NEWLY LEGALIZED IMPROPER BATTER whose name precedes his name in the lineup- Cubs Baseball Team Manager: Mark Warner Date: Feb NameNumber Position 1)Albert Able #24 2B 2)Billy Boyd#13 #18 1B 3)Carl Conner#223B 4)Devin Dowdy#1C 5)Evan Epley#44LF 6)Frank Frisch#3P 7)Greg Gates#29CF 8)Howard Hanes#55DH 9)John Jackson#6SS 10)Indy Jones#7RF Subs: Kong #4 / Lewis #32 / Morris #12 Conner (proper batter) just grounded out. Dowdy up to bat. Dowdy is the proper batter. Boyd (improper batter) hits a double and is on 2 nd base. No appeal is made. Conner is up to bat. After a pitch to Conner, Boyd has become the Newly Legalized Improper Batter. Conner is now legal. If Dowdy were batting instead of Conner he would be subject to appeal for batting out of order

7-1-1 : Position & Batting Order:  Improper Batter = is batting & his name does NOT follow the name of the preceding proper or newly legalized batter- as soon as he enters the box and ball is live, he is either proper or improper  as soon as he enters the box and ball is live, he is either proper or improper  anytime during at bat (before becoming batter –runner he can be replaced with the proper batter (who assumes the batting count). Either team can notice this and have him replaced without penalty. Imprope  Improper becomes Proper = when no legal appeal is made and a pitch or play during the next batters at-bat or the infielders leave the infield (inning ending play)

7-1-1: Position & Batting Order:  Improper batter at bat and replaced before becoming batter – runner: Cubs Baseball Team Manager: Mark Warner Date: Feb NameNumber Position 1)Albert Able #24 2B 2)Billy Boyd#13 #18 1B 3)Carl Conner#223B 4)Devin Dowdy#1C 5)Evan Epley#44LF 6)Frank Frisch#3P 7)Greg Gates#29CF 8)Howard Hanes#55DH 9)John Jackson#6SS 10)Indy Jones#7RF Subs: Kong #4 / Lewis #32 / Morris #12 Conner (proper batter) just grounded out. Epley comes up to bat. After swinging at the first pitch the Defensive team appeals Epley is batting out of order. The Umpire shall bring Dowdy up to bat with a 0-1 count in him.

Rule 7: Batting con't Penalty: Penalty: if improper batter is putout or reaches base, and then is noticed before next pitch (includes intentional walk), play or attempted play by the defense, or before the infielders leave the infield- -Umpire shall declare PROPER BATTER OUT. …any runners who advanced as a result of Improper batter becoming a batter –runner, they return to T.O.P. bases. Advancing DURING at-bat is legal (steals, wild pitches, balks etc.) -Advancing DURING at-bat is legal (steals, wild pitches, balks etc.)….any outs on the play stand. ….bring the next proper batter to bat. ….Appealing the Proper Batter out, supersedes any out made by the improper batter on the play.

Improper batter is discovered by proper appeal. Cubs Baseball Team Manager: Mark Warner Date: Feb NameNumber Position 1)Albert Able #24 2B 2)Billy Boyd#13 #18 1B 3)Carl Conner#223B 4)Devin Dowdy#1C 5)Evan Epley#44LF 6)Frank Frisch#3P 7)Greg Gates#29CF 8)Howard Hanes#55DH 9)John Jackson#6SS 10)Indy Jones#7RF Subs: Kong #4 / Lewis #32 / Morris #12 Conner is on 2 nd base and Dowdy on 1 st base with 1 out. Frisch comes to bat Frisch (Improper batter) while batting, Conner & Dowdy double steal 3 rd & 2 nd base respectively. Frisch then hits a sacrifice fly scoring Conner from 3 rd base. The Defensive Team properly appeals Frisch batting out of order. The Umpire calls Epley (proper batter) out and returns Conner (R3) to third base. Frisch is the proper batter bats with 2outs, R2 & R3 R1 R2 R3 Frisch R3

Abel leads off and grounds out… Conner follows and reaches 1 st Base with a single… Dowdy comes to bat and: 1) before 1 st pitch to Dowdy, it is appealed that Conner batted out of order. What should the umpire do? Result: Boyd is out (proper batter) and Conner bats again (ALL runners who advanced on Conner’s single return to TOP) 2) after the 1 st pitch to Dowdy, it is appealed that Dowdy and / or Conner batted out of order. Result: Appeal is not accepted and Conner is the new legalized improper batter. Dowdy name follows Conner so Dowdy remains. 3) During Conner’s at-bat, with 2 strikes on him, it is appealed that he is batting out of order. Result: Conner is removed without penalty and Boyd comes to bat and assumes the count. Result: Conner is removed without penalty and Boyd comes to bat and assumes the count. 1)Able 2)Boyd 3)Conner 4)Dowdy 5)Epley 6)Frisch 7)Gates 8)Hanes 9)Jackson 10)Indy

Rule 7: Batting con't b: A strike is charged when a pitch is swung at & missed (even if it touches the batter) - if it touches batter, time is called and playing action is “dead” : Batter shall not, delay to take his position in the box within 20 seconds, or fail to keep one foot in the box *Exceptions are after a swing, pitch forces him out, he bunts, defensive play on runner, time is given, pitcher leaves the dirt circle or he must vacate for play at plate. PENALTY: Strike shall be charged to batter (We will warn first!) KEEP THE GAME MOVING = KEEP THE BATTER IN BOX!

Rule 7: Batting con't. “The batter shall not”: : Hit the ball while a foot or knee, is COMPLETELY outside the lines of the batters box and touching the ground or touching the plate. Remember we watch pitches not feet! Foot touching the line is IN THE BOX! 7.3.4: Permit a pitched ball to touch him (Hit By Pitch) *Freezing in the box is NOT allowed. * If the pitch is over the batters box area, penalize the pitcher. *As long as the batter does not move towards the ball intentionally (stick elbow out, move knee over). Penalty: if batter allows the ball to touch him, batter stays at plate unless pitch was ruled ball four Penalty: if batter allows the ball to touch him, batter stays at plate unless pitch was ruled ball four or strike three.

Rule 7: Batting con't. “The batter shall not”: **Defense can take result of play** a: Batter is out if he enters the box with illegal bat or discovered having used an illegal bat before next pitch to a teammate **Defense can take result of play** NOTE: Broken, cracked or dented bats are removed without PENALTY g: Team is playing with one less than the starting number and that turn to bat is reached. That spot in the batting order is an out each time (until returning to 9) 7.4.1i: Batter is out if he intentionally deflects a batted ball that has a chance to be fair. Discussion: Player enters the box with an illegal bat. It is noticed prior to putting the ball in play. What are we going to do in this situation? *Support by rule*What kind of rule is it The batter actions are ILLEGAL the moment they step in the box with illegal bat. He would be out upon discovery, regardless of the ball being live. This is a safety rule.

Batter’s Interference 7.4.5: Batter shall not interfere / hinder the catcher by: -Leaning over Plate-Stepping out of Batter’s Box Any other movement in the box* -Follow Through Contact-*Any other movement in the box* disappear” *Batter cannot be expected to “disappear” in the box. Simply standing or holding his position WILL NOT be interference. If catchers initial throw retires runner being played against then ignore the interference…  INITIAL throw does not retire runner = Call time, Batter Out and return ALL runners  INITIAL throw does not retire runner = Call time, Batter out for 3 rd Strike and call runner played against OUT (double play). Return other runners. Runner Stealing Home = less than 2 outs = RUNNER OUT /Return other runners / Batter still bats Runner Stealing Home = with 2 outs = Batter Out *if original play retires runner from 3 rd then interference ignored.

Questions about Rule 7 Batting? All classroom materials are posted on AZBOA.org >Training>Area Meetings AZBOA.org >Training>Area Meetings

Malicious Contact Malicious Contact b 3.3.1n8.4.2e Definition of Bench & Field Conduct Base Running Offensive and Defensive Players can be guilty of Malicious Contact = EJECTION! Defensive Defensive contact that is malicious is usually easy to define (are they tagging or punishing?) So we will focus on the Offense….

Malicious Contact Let’s “focus” on… Malicious Contact b - Definition  NFHS definition; when a runner creates Malicious Contact with any fielder, with or without the ball, in or out of the baseline…

Malicious Contact What is ….Malicious? By definition; having or showing a desire to cause harm to another person… ViciousWickedNasty VengefulHostileMalignant EvilInjuriousPoisonousCaustic

Malicious Contact Malicious Contact…. “Redefined” Lets change our focus from defining the word to defining the offensive (offense) player’s actions. Are the actions of the runner to REACH the base or DISLODGE the baseball? Trying to REACH a base = Baseball = Not Malicious Trying to DISLODGE the ball = not HS Baseball = Possibly Malicious, but definitely interference. Dislodging the baseball; In almost all instances the contact created by the runner will be initiated above the waist of the fielder. Trying to reach a base; in most cases the contact created by the runner will be below the waist of the fielder. (Upright fielder vs. Crouched fielder)

Malicious Contact Malicious Contact “Redefined” The Contact created by the runner; was it “Avoidable Contact” or “Unavoidable Contact” Avoidable Contact is when the runner has been given clear opportunity to avoid the collision….Unavoidable Contract the runner does NOT have opportunity to go around, stop or avoid. Umpires will take into consideration Umpires will take into consideration : -the location of the throw -the position of the fielder -is the ball waiting on the runner-does the play develop late -does fielder have to adjust to go get the ball-the location of the contact

Malicious Contact “Redefined” Let’s “focus” our picture…. Attempting to Dislodge the Baseball Collision that is “high” on the fielder Contact that was Avoidable Attempting to Reach the Base Collision that is “lower” on the fielder Contact that was Unavoidable NOT MALICIOUS!! MALICIOUS!!

Malicious Contact “Redefined” Here is our check list for Malicious Contact: “Avoidable Contact” or Unavoidable Contact” Attempting to reach a base or Dislodge the ball Mitigating Factors: -the location of the throw (up the line, into the runner etc.) -the position of the fielder (is he blocking, is he “up the line”) -is the ball waiting on the runner -does the play develop late -the location of the contact by the runner on the fielder (above or below waist) Don’t get fooled by: -the violence of the collision (collisions can be legal) -runners arms or elbows (unavoidable contact runners will “PROTECT” themselves). There is a difference between protecting and delivering a malicious blow.

Malicious Contact “Redefined” Let them play….but ultimatley the intent of the rule is: SAFETY  Understand how to define and apply the rule  Apply equally for both Offense and Defense  Protect Players

Malicious Contact Malicious Contact “Redefined” Play Malicious Contact Video via AZBOA.org

Malicious Contact What do we think? Trying to Reach the Plate Or Trying to Dislodge Baseball Trying to Reach the Plate Or Trying to Dislodge Baseball Ball is waiting on runner…he runs into fair territory to contact the catcher….

Malicious Contact Malicious Contact “Redefined” Trying to Reach the Plate Or Trying to Dislodge Baseball These players are attempting to reach the plate as judged by their actions and the positioning of the Catcher

Malicious Contact Malicious Contact “Redefined” How are these possibly different or more difficult to judge?