Words, Words, Words

An Editorial
by Brent McLaren

Spend anytime listening to a professional umpire speak in depth about the rules of baseball and you realize that they are talking about the same game you work as an amateur umpire, but they are speaking a different language. Gone are the "color commentaries" and remarks that have indeterminate or multiple meanings. Present is an exactness of sense and definition: a purpose of meaning, history, intent and understanding often about the most fundamental aspects of the sport.

As I look over my notes from games last season there were times when having the fine scalpel-like edge a professional brings to the rules could have resolved potential problems quickly and with a minimum of argument.

"To Catch" or "To Tag?"

The ball bounced high over the first baseman, sent him back a few more steps to get the ball. The ball was flipped to the pitcher who jogged four or five steps then stepped on the base well ahead of the already resigned runner. The base umpire signalled a no-pressure, quiet "Out." Two, maybe three steps later, as the pitcher was lowering his glove hand and raising his right hand to wipe his brow, the ball dropped from his glove. "OUT?" The discussion with the offensive coach begins.

"He dropped the ball, didn't catch the ball!" the coach said as the runner returned to first. I heard the umpire say "Bob, you know he caught the ball, he carried it at least twenty feet before he touched the base." "But, he dropped it, he did not have control of the ball. He had to show a voluntary release." "He had possession of the ball at the time he touched the base that is all that matters." "It was a catch Doug, a catch! He has to have the ball long enough and a voluntary release, not a drop on the ground. The book says 'and.'" The argument continued but the out stood, and the game resumed.

Later, in the locker room, Doug was thumbing his rule book. "I know we made the right ruling but you know, Bob was right, the rule book does say 'and'." "Yes, Bob was right, but both of you are looking up the wrong word. Try looking up the definition of the word 'tag' instead. and see which word accurately described the situation out there today." was the reply.

Words . . . The Fine Line

An umpire must choose his words carefully. Each baseball term carries a specific meaning and interpretation. So often the amateur umpire is swayed by the phrases and interpretations repeated over and over by the commentators on televised games. You hear officials using phrases such as "He went around" or "He broke his wrists." You hear umpires refer to "calling the black" or referring to any miss-thrown ball that remains in play as an "overthrow."

In the rules of baseball there is a significant difference between a ball that is a "Catch" and a ball that is "Gloved" for the purposes of a "Tag."

At first glance the Official Baseball Rules definition of CATCH (Section 2.00) seems quite broad and all encompassing:

"The act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it, providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession."

The term IN FLIGHT is defined in the rule book to:

"describes a batted, thrown or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder."

The end of the definition of CATCH contains:

"In establishing the validity of a catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional."

A close but a different partner to the catch is the TAG. The rule book definition says this:

"is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove."

This distinction is important

Consider the difference between a fielder in the process of performing a "catch" and the same fielder in the process of "gloving the ball for a tag."

After taking a long look at the examples cited in the rule book you determine that only a batted or pitched ball can become a catch:

• a catch cannot be made by anyone in dead ball territory
• the catch must be held long enough and/or
• the fielder must demonstrate control of the ball through a voluntary release
• cannot happen if the ball has been deflected off of an umpire, batter or runner
• does not happen if the ball becomes lodged or fielded with detached equipment

Attaining a live ball in the glove or in hand for the purposes of a tag produces a much shorter list since:

• the tag, by definition, must take place at a base or a runner
• the fielder must demonstrate "secure and firm" possession of the ball at the time of the tag in either the glove or the hand.

Interpretation books are split on what demonstrates "securely and firmly" when it comes to possession. Jaksa/Roder will argue that this is only demonstrated when voluntary, controlled release has been shown. Others point out that professional umpires simply look up to the fielder's glove, make the determination of possession and then signal. They do not wait until the fielder removes the ball from the glove before making the signal. In its simplest form, the current process taught at the professional schools is look at the bag (make the call), look at the glove (confirm possession), make the signal.

Many amateur rules clinics would take an objection to the "and/or" included in the definition of a catch instead of the "and" which is in the rule book. Here other professional interpretation manuals are unanimous in their application of the revised definition: one indication of the ball being held long enough is a voluntary release. In amateur baseball discussion it leads to examples such as this:

Play: in the final inning of the championship the batter lofts a ball to the centre-fielder for the final out. The fielder runs in to join his excited team mates who are mobbing the pitcher on the mound. As he joins in the celebration, the ball slips from his glove and lands on the ground. Do you rule no-catch since the release was not voluntary?

Play: the centre-fielder makes a spectacular grab in the outfield, crashing into the fence moments after. He falls over and is lying unconscious with the ball still firmly in his glove. The right-fielder grabs the ball out of the glove and throws it into the infield. Does this umpire rule no-catch since the release was not voluntary?

Almost everyone who has been around baseball for longer then a single strike would answer . . . that was a catch: even though in both cases there was no voluntary or controlled release of the ball of the baseball by the fielder.

The choice of words is even more important

When a fielder is attempting to catch or field a batted ball the rights of the fielder are protected:

• normally, if a runner touches the ball, the runner is out, the ball is dead.
• if the fielder is hindered in any way, the runner is out.
• if the fielder is unsuccessful in catching the ball the runner immediately becomes protected and the fielder must yield the right of way. Instantaneous contact at this point is obstruction. The fielder must, in effect, vaporize.

When a fielder is attempting to glove a ball for the purposes of making a tag, the rights of both player and runner are respected:

• normally, if the ball touches a runner the ball remains alive and in play.
• if the fielder is unsuccessful in fielding a thrown ball the fielder may continue to pursue the deflection or missed ball. Instantaneous contact at this point is not obstruction nor is it interference.

The above examples are not intended to be the definitive rules' study. They serve only to point out how rule applications can hinge on the careful selection of a word or phrase.

So reflecting back to the original play, the umpire could have corrected the coach's use of the word "catch" by referring to a "tag." The tag requires only secure and firm possession at the time of the touch of the base or runner. The umpire accessed that existed: the batter-runner was out.

"That was Interference; You just said so!"

One other moment from last season occurred on a bases load situation. The batter chopped a fair ball right to the first baseman. Hardly having to move the baseman stepped and threw the ball toward the catcher, smack into the mid-section of the no-out right-handed batter-runner who was just starting to head up the line. Two runs would score before the catcher and pitcher had play stopped. This time it was the defensive coach's turn.

"Come on Doug; that was interference!" "I know it was interference Bob, but it was unintentional, you saw him try to jump out of the way." "Unintentional, how do you know it was unintentional? I saw him kick the ball. That was interference; you just said so and on every interference the ball is dead . . . "

Again, a poor choice of words has put the umpire into the midst of an argument that he will not easily "win," even if he is absolutely right.

What is interference?

"Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play"

The rule book refers at different times to "and intentionally interferes." Many umpires feel they are to make decisions on when contact with the ball, fielder or runner was intentional or unintentional. At times we are required to do exactly that, but the issue is not the judgement of the umpire in these situations, the issue is the choice of terms used in the discussions we enter into on and off the diamond.

Again our umpire made the right ruling, but through his choice of words landed himself into the heat of an argument.

Avoid using "Reserved Words"

If you are a computer programmer, you will know exactly what this means. As you develop software, the programmer selects terms for the variables and data elements that make up to background of the program. The programmer also selects groups of commands which cause the program to execute specific instructions and steps. These are often referred to as "reserved words" The software itself blocks any attempt by the programmer to select a reserved word outside of its proper use.

By choosing proper phrases, other than the reserved words of baseball, an umpire will ensure the discussion and interpretations stay on topic and true to the rules of baseball.

Instead of "interference" the words "deflection" or "incidental contact" are much better choices when describing the situation that occurred above. We all know what it looks like when a batter attempts to bunt, but a "bunt" requires the ball to contact the bat: no foot position, hand position or other preliminary motions will define a "bunt." While phrases such as "He threw the ball to the batter" are common place, the umpire should always make a careful distinction between a "throw" and a "pitch." Similarly, a "retouch" is the proper word for the often heard "tag-up."

Careful attention to the use and definitions of the actual words of the game will allow the umpire to focus on a consistent understanding and application of the rules of baseball. An umpire cannot assume that "Everyone knows what I meant," and should avoid taking on the role of the color commentator in a game. When the umpire is able to describe the situation that has occurred, in the language specific to baseball, he will assist himself and others to arrive at the proper interpretation, application and ruling.

Now, why do we call it a "Foul Pole" when if the ball strikes the pole it is a "Fair Ball?"

.... written April 9, 2000