Are we presuming that the " spectator " who called " Foul Ball " was screaming to decieve the defense? Was the spectator, in fact just telling the batter that the ball was foul so she could go back and bat again - with no intent to change the outcome of the at bat?
If you really want to stretch the outcome by your call, call Verbal Interfence on the Offensive dugout claiming you heard the " foul ball " call come from that direction. Let the Offensive Coach deal with the fan who cost him a hit/out.( I cite 2-32 here ).
Or . . . . the other option is to call Verbal Obstruction on the defensive dugout claiming you heard the " foul ball " call come from THEIR direction, attempting to confuse B1 so they could get the out.
( I cite 2-36 here ).
Who do you want to punish and send the message to - offense or defense?
Do you really know who is at fault here?
This was clearly a HTBT play.
What it can never be is a " do over ".
Nowhere in the book is there an allowance for a " do over ".
Just offering more to chew on.
Just my humble opinion.
[Edited by officialtony on May 24th, 2005 at 09:28 AM]
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Tony Smerk
OHSAA Certified
Class 1 Official
Sheffield Lake, Ohio
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