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Thanks for all of the feedback. I have a few comments regarding your responses to my questions:
#1. After reading all of your responses regarding ball four, I have decided to first announce in a strong voice, "Ball Four". If batter continues to stand in batter's box or acts like she just struck out, I will say to the batter, "That was ball four--take your base". I see nothing wrong with that even if it goes against proper mechanics. We expect the batter to go to 1B and any delay in her going there just slows the game down. For AtlUmpSteve, there is a difference between a base hit or dropped third strike and ball four. With a base hit or dropped third strike, I don't care if batter heads for 1B. If batter doesn't go, she will be put out. On ball four, nothing else can happen in the game until the batter goes to 1B, so why allow that situation to linger?
#3. If I am working a game by myself and find myself near 2B on a play, I will call time once runners have stopped at a base and the ball is back to pitcher in circle. I see no reason to keep the ball alive while I make my way back to my place behind the plate. If there is runner on 2B and if I keep play live, I will have to either walk backwards all the way back to home plate or keep my head turned back toward 2B while I walk to home plate in order to keep my eye on the runner.
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