Quote:
Originally Posted by BretMan
I believe that in softball the ball be can considered live once the pitcher has taken her spot on the pitcher's plate, the catcher is positioned in the catcher's box, and the batter is set in the batter's box.
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That is a practice that a lot of umpires I work with employ. But technically, the umpire is supposed to make the ball live by either saying "play" or make a beckoning motion to the pitcher.
In NH, that is included on our HS evaluation form. So if being evaluated, you better do it or risk losing points for not doing it. (NFHS 5.1.4)
I've developed a protocol that if there are no runners on base, I don't do it. My logic is that it really is to re-initiate when the LBR is in effect. I will after a time out.
The umpire that claimed that the ball was live when he gave it to the catcher is a hack.
A lot of umpires like to throw the ball to the pitcher after a ball has gone out of play. I might have done that my first couple of years, but after almost hitting the pitcher with a ball because she wasn't looking, I decided to simply give the ball to the catcher.