[whiskers_ump]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by greymule
Well, I didn't know that checking with your partner during a live ball automatically created a time out. To me, the faster you can resolve a checked swing the better, especially when the ball is still live and both runners and fielders need to know the call.

Not to be aurgumentive here. Mechanics for asking for help on a
check swing or to "remove help, step from behind catcher, and ask partner,
"swing". Out in the open like that and no runners on, I got time.
If there are runners on, then the rule being discussed does not apply.

However, you can remove that from the situation. You still have a catcher operating in a fully legitimate belief that there's a play and being penalized for doing so.

With no runners on?

I think of this rule as similar to the one for calling a strike on a batter who steps out of the box between pitches. It is a rule you don't invoke unless you have to, like calling a ball for an extra warmup pitch.

If I have had to warn the batters a couple of times, then they getting the strike.
If extra warmups are thrown, then call it. Usually in the one minute time frame
between innings, you don't have to worry about this one.

Three and two count. No one on. Batter swings at a low pitch and barely ticks the ball. The catcher scoops it after it hits the ground. The batter runs to first and the catcher throws to F3. Call ball 4 on the batter because the catcher threw a foul ball to a fielder other than the pitcher.

This is a Case Book play 6F7-2 Bases are empty and B1 has a count of 0-1. On
the next pitch, B1 hits a foul ball that F2 retrieves and throws to F5. Ruling:
A ball is awarded to B1, resulting in a 1-2 count.

Three and two count. Batter pops a foul between F2 and F3. F2 dives but can't get it clean and scoops it. While lying on the ground, F2 flips the ball to F3, standing over her. Call ball 4 on the batter for the catcher's violation.

Could by utilizing the same Case Book Ruling.