Quote:
[i]Originally posted by Dakota
Agreed. With or without the ball, all the catcher (or any other infielder for that matter) needs to do during the dead ball is verbalize the appeal.
However, does taking the new game ball from the PU and stepping on the plate constitute a valid appeal?
Verbalizing along with taking the ball & stepping on the plate -- yes, since the ball & stepping on the plate is superfluous, but does not invalidate the verbal appeal.
How about just taking the ball, standing on the plate, and looking expectantly at the umpire? It's obvious she is appealing. POE #1 (ASA) says "verbal." [/B]
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Like I said before, the ball is an unnecessary prop. I don't care if the catcher swallows the damn thing then steps on the plate, it has nothing to do with any appeal in ASA softball. It MUST be a dead-ball appeal and if I read minds, I would not be doing this. I do not care in what manner the player looks at me, I'm not guessing what they want. For that matter, at this point, if they look at me the wrong way, they may not be around for the appeal d:-)
I worked a couple of games in the Eastern Regional IRS tournament yesterday. On a fly ball to right, 1st & 2nd occupied, less then 2 outs, both runners tag and advance. The 1st basemen from this team from Manhattan, NY goes, "Hey, blue, how are things?" I respond, "Things are just fine with me, how about yourself?" "No, no" he says, "how about those guys?" I ask him if he is attempting to appeal the runners leaving early and he says, "of course!"
Well, I'm sorry I can't help these guys out, but I have gotten to the point where I will assume nothing from a player or coach.