Be the Referee: Fair or Foul Ball?
May 14, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains how baselines come into play when deciding if a batted ball is fair or foul in baseball and softball.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment - Fair or Foul Ball? - Listen
Today’s segment is going to start with a quick “You Make The Call” question.
Baseball batter up at bat hits a line drive directly back toward the pitcher’s mound. The ball hits off the pitching rubber or the pitching plate, and rebounds directly into the first base dugout.
Fair or Foul Ball?
Baseball and Softball are unique in that these are two sports where the lines are actually considered to be in play. A ball hitting the chalk line in Baseball or Softball is a Fair Ball, to where in a basketball game, that player would be considered out of bounds.
Now back to our question – that would be considered a Foul Ball because the ball never settled or passed first base or third base in fair territory.
Past editions
May 4 - Non-Glare Helmets - Listen
April 27 - Vern L. Norris Award - Listen
March 23 - Deciding the Game - Listen
March 16 - Block/Charge Call - Listen
March 9 - Dive on the Floor - Listen
March 2 - Primary Areas - Listen
Feb. 23 - Too Much TV - Listen
Feb. 16 - Video Clip Library - Listen
Feb. 9 - Cheer Safety - Listen
Feb. 2 - Basketball PA Announcers - Listen
Jan. 26 - Wrestling Health Concerns - Listen
Jan. 19 - Basketball Physical Contact - Listen
Jan. 12 - Video Review Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 29 - Video Review Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 17 - Registration Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 10 - Registration Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 3 - Legacy Program - Listen
Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen
Be the Referee: Communication
December 17, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the expectations for officials working with coaches during basketball games.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment - Basketball Communication - Listen
The most challenging task in officiating any basketball game for referees is effectively working with coaches. In a perfect world, coaches would simply ask questions on plays they had questions or concerns about and the official would simply respond with a description of what he or she saw on the play.
The very best basketball officials keep the communication with coaches during a game a conversation, not an ongoing argument. Officials need to always be in control of their emotions, answer questions from coaches honestly and head off behavior early that is argumentative and unprofessional. Coaches and officials working together makes for a much better game as everyone in the gym – players, media members and spectators – take their cues for how coaches are acting. When coaches are professional with officials, the entire atmosphere is so much more positive.
Past editions:
Dec. 10: Basketball Excessive Contact - Listen
Nov. 26: Pregame Communication - Listen
Nov. 19: Trick Plays - Listen
Nov. 12: 7-Person Football Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 5: Make the Call: Personal Fouls - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Demographics - Listen
Oct. 15: Make the Call: Intentional Grounding - Listen
Oct. 8: Playoff Selection - Listen
Oct. 1: Kick Returns - Listen
Sept. 24: Concussions - Listen
Sept. 17: Automatic First Downs - Listen
Sept. 10: Correcting a Down - Listen
Sept 3: Spearing - Listen
Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen