there is runner on 1st 1 and 1 count the runner breaks for 2nd on attempted steal the catcher catches foul tip does not throw to 2nd ask ump if runner should return to 1st he says no catcher should have dropped the ball knowing that the count was 1 and 1 ????? Thought that only applied if there was 2 strikes on batter and it was strike out throw out situation. the age group is u-13 thx Dave

A Foul tip is always a live ball regardless of the count.

quote:

Originally posted by dave maher:
there is runner on 1st 1 and 1 count the runner breaks for 2nd on attempted steal the catcher catches foul tip does not throw to 2nd ask ump if runner should return to 1st he says no catcher should have dropped the ball knowing that the count was 1 and 1 ????? Thought that only applied if there was 2 strikes on batter and it was strike out throw out situation. the age group is u-13 thx Dave

A foul tip is a strike like a swinging strike, not a foul ball. The ball is live, regardless of the count.

What the umpire was trying to tell him was with a 1/1 count if he doesn't want the runner to advance then don't catch the tip. If he doesn't catch it it becomes a foul ball. With two strikes he has to decide does he want the strikeout or the runner to go back.

I have another question regarding this type of scenario. I've had the situation where the runner on first was stealing second base. The pitch was a foul tip. I called it and there was no throw to second base. The offensive coach told his runner on second to return to first since it was a foul tip. The runner made it back to first, without a throw.
I let the play continue with the runner back on first. After the inning I talked to the coach and explained the foul tip rule. This was a 13 and under team playing high school rules.
Did I do the right thing or what should I have called (This has happened more than once)

Just let it go. As you say this happens often in youth baseball. If the runner gets thrown out then it's his tough luck.

Ive got to agree with MST.....there is nothing good that can come out of stopping the game and attempting to "teach"......

The best bet is to let it go.....

quote:

Originally posted by baseballinblood:
The pitch was a foul tip. I called it and there was no throw to second base.

How did you "call" the foul tip?

I called the tip verbally and signaled it with my hands. Then I indicated it was a strike.

Thanks to all for your input. I thought I made the right call but wasn't 100% sure.

Good Call on the play.........BUT and this is just an adjustment....as a trainer of umpires, I do not want umpires verbally saying anything on a foul tip.......

Signal the tip....... slide your right hand over your left hand....

Signal the strike.........Hammer the strike.....

Remember a foul tip is a live ball...runners can steal...do not say anything that may sound like "Foul" as it could kill any subsequent action.........

quote:

Originally posted by baseballinblood:
I called the tip verbally and signaled it with my hands. Then I indicated it was a strike.

Thanks to all for your input. I thought I made the right call but wasn't 100% sure.

Good call, bad mechanic. As piaa pointed out, no verbal should be used on a foul tip. Treat like any other swinging strike with the addition of the foul tip signal prior to your strike signal.