View Single Post
  #14 (permalink)  
Old Sun Jan 02, 2005, 09:43am
PSU213 PSU213 is offline
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 522
Quote:
Originally posted by MJT
Quote:
Originally posted by BktBallRef
Quote:
Originally posted by PSU213
Just for the record, I am against the ump giving the TD signal in most cases.

However, just because the U signals the TD, that does not mean it is set in stone. Yes, it looks really, really bad to wave it off, and you have a whole lot of explaining to do, but you can always rule him down afterward. That being said, it does not look any better if one wing signals TD, and the other does not because the runner's knee was down.
Those are my points exactly, PSU213. I agree with you all the way around.
Sure, you CAN change it, but why not have a signal so this problem does NOT arise. Have the ump punch it in. If one wing goes up, the other can EASILY see that and stop his "he is down" signalling and there will be MUCH less trouble and will not look near as bad. This is simply what most crews do to eliminate a potential problem.
I totally agree that in the vast majority of situations, the U should not signal the TD, and the crew should have a signal from the U to the wings to indicate the ball crossed the plane. All I'm saying is that, even if it lookes really REALLY bad, the U's singal can be "waved off."

And also, I agree with BktBallRef that a wing should not ignore the fact that the runner was down if he indeed knows (not thinks, or is almost certain) he was down. On the other hand, the other wing should not signal TD unless he knows for a fact that the ball crossed the plane of the GL before the runner's knee was down.
__________________
If the play is designed to fool someone, make sure you aren't the fool.
Reply With Quote