TECHNICAL AND OFFICIALS NEWS - Geoff Robertson

International Appointments

Paul Hyham and Trent Thomas will be officiating during the 2007 Japan – Australia Friendship Games in Fukuroka.

Neil Poulton and Mal Mackay have been appointed by IBAF to the World Cup in Taiwan, and Paul Hyham has been appointed by IBAF to the Asian Olympic Qualifying Series in Taipei.

National Championships

Umpire Appointments

Claxton Shield Officials – 2007/8

Official Australian Rulebook

The Fourth Edition has been out of print. The Fifth Edition has been edited to include some twenty six rule changes in Rules 1-9 and some twelve changes in Rule 10. The Fifth Edition is now available at $16.50 per copy inclusive of GST and handling. Our apologies for this delay since the Fourth Edition was out of print but it has been important to delay the Fifth Edition until the changes were confirmed by the MLB Rules Committee.

Manuals

The latest edition of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, NAPBL, manual is available from the ABF Office. This manual gives interpretations and clarification of many rules and situations

It is available from the ABF Office for $25.00, inclusive of GST and postage. Check the website to order.

The latest edition of the “Two Umpire System”, manual is available from the ABF Office. This manual forms an important part of umpire training.

It is available from the ABF Office for $25.00, inclusive of GST and postage. Check the website to order.

The Official Australian Baseball Scorebook is available from the State and Territories Scorers Association. All proceeds from the sale of these books assists the training of scorers. The recent workshop held as part of the MLB Academy is part of the National Development Program that benefits from these sales.

How Did You Go?

The batter hits a line drive to the centre field fence. Stiches in ball break and the ball comes partially apart. Two runners cross the plate. What’s your call?

5.02 Both runs score, all plays stand, that ball remains in play until the play is completed

There are two outs with a runner on second. The batter hits an in the park home run. The runner from second missed the plate and the batter runner is called safe on a close play at the plate. The catcher then appeals the first runner who is given out. How many runs score?

4.09(a)/7.10(b) No runs score, the appeal out was the third out and no following run can score.

One out, 2-2 on the batter who swings and misses on the next pitch. The ball eludes the catcher and rolls towards the back net. The batter takes off for first touches the base and runs a few steps beyond in fair territory. The catcher alertly fires to the first baseman who tags the batter runner before he can return to the base. Is he out?

7.08(c) The batter-runner may over run first base in this case. He is not out for being tagged off base.

Try These

The catcher drifts back to catch a pop up in foul territory. The ball deflects off his chest protector and is trapped in his mitt against his chest. He then holds the caught ball up in his mitt for the umpire to see. Is this a legal catch?

One out, runners on second and third. The batter hits a ground ball to the third baseman who traps the runner off base and a run down develops. The runner makes it safely back to third. By then the runner from second is standing on third, both runners are tagged, who is declared out?

Runner on first, one out, the centre fielder makes what appears to be a spectacular over-the-head catch as he crashes into the centre field wall. Upon contact with the fence, the ball pops out and goes over the wall. Is the batter out? Place the runner from first?

Batter draws a walk, advances to and touches first and overruns the base. The catcher fires the ball to the first baseman who tags the runner returning to first base. Is he out?