Quote:
Originally posted by mcrowder
Tie game, bases loaded, time has expired, home team batting, 2 outs. 12U
Batter is walked.
ALL THREE RUNNERS sprint to near the pitchers mound to begin a line (apparently, being in the front of the line to shake hands with the other team is something this team has drilled - they were QUICK). (BR did actually make it to first, and ended up last in line for the handshake)
I'm standing at home, dumbfounded. Catcher returned the ball to the pitcher, who begins crying and stays on the mound. The rest of the infield heads off slowly.
I can't yell "Ballgame!" until someone scores, right? I can't score the run until someone A) touches home, or B) defense ("all infielders", according to the book) leave the field. I can't call her out for abandonment until she leaves the field of play.
I stand there dumbfounded. My BU stands in C, mouth agape, in stunned silence.
What do YOU do?
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It's all your fault! You allowed the batter to walk and made the pitcher cry, you meanie!!!
Pet peeve. Where in the book does it instruct an umpire to yell "ballgame"? I'm not saying that it is a problem, but I've also had people argue that, like a judge rapping a gavel, a game cannot officially end until the PU yells "ballgame".
As the umpire in this situation, I would gesture to my partner to head in my direction, going around the meeting in the middle of the field. I would stand in the vicinity of the plate until both teams have cleared the field. At that point, I'm satisfied that both teams are satisfied and will leave the field WITHOUT COMMENT TO ANYONE with my partner.
I know some people will disagree with this, but to me, it comes under the heading of "don't look for boogers".