The Appeal

One of the most frustrating events in baseball is when a player clearly misses a bag and the umpire just doesn't see it. You can appeal the call, but it isn't going to do any good cause the umpire did not see it.

Frustrating as it may be, there is usually only one umpire in a game, and even with two umpires, they have a lot to pay attention to. Most games they're not even in the mind frame of checking runners feet - they're simply watching. How do you combat this? How do you remind the umpire to check the feet?

In the beginning of the game, and the middle of the game, appeal a runner who gets more than one base. You have no limit in appeals in a game and two is not overdoing it throughout a game. By adding a simple appeal throughout your game you will train the umpires to watch the feet of the opposing players and when a real appeal situation occurs, you'll be more likely to get that call.

Like most things, however, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, the umpires won't only watch your opponents feet more, but also your feet more, so make sure your team is diligent in touching their bases as they pass.

for Slopitch Coaching 101
Bradley Holbrook