[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by goldcoastump

I have been doing fast pitch softball for years and this year I was talked into doing some pony baseball. Is it a dead ball when you hold your hand up as a plate ump to protect a hitter who is stepping into the batters box? This is not a factor in softball because the runner is restricted to the base. HELP!!

If yo are playing by FED rules it is specific

FED rule 5-1-1h, Ball becomes dead immediately when:

the umpire gives the DO NOT PITCH SIGNAL

Now the ball has to be put "live again" FED rule 5-1-4

After a dead ball, the ball becomes alive when it is held by F1 in a legal pitching position, B1 and F2 in their respective boxes and the Umpire calls "Play" and gives the appropriate hand signal.

Side Note: Actual Practice: While it is not necessary to call PLAY after every dead ball situation it is common to point to F1 to signal the ball is "live" again.

Why! The BU needs to know in case of a pickoff attempt by F1 It's embarrassing or imporper mechanics to negate a good play by F1 in getting R1 during a pickoff because the ball "technically" has not been put back in play.

That's why it also taught NOT to constantly call TIME needlessly in a game when the rules do not warrant it. Keep the game moving. Do not always put your hand up when the batter requests it. F1 has to allow some time to let B1 get set.

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