Quote:
Originally posted by David Emerling
I was reading through this thread and was amazed at this.
Are you saying that NCAA umpires are taught to signal NOTHING when ...
the BR reaches first before and the defense has failed to secure the ball in time while in contact with the bag? How odd!
Why would the offense not get the benefit of "Safe!" call in this instance? There is nothing pending. At the time the BR crossed the bag the defense had not yet gained possession of the ball and tagged the bag. That's just about the DEFINITION of being safe - isn't it?
She's safe! Why not say so?
Am I missing something? It seems a "no call" would only serve to create confusion.
David Emerling
Memphis, TN
[Edited by David Emerling on Nov 7th, 2005 at 11:40 AM]
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Yes, you are missing something.
We are not talking about close plays and a bobbled ball. We are talking about a throw to first that gets by F3 and rolls to the fence while the BR slows down after running through the bag. The guys in the space station can see the runner is safe, so why should the umpire stand there looking at a vacant space on the field giving a safe signal?
Part of this is to allow the umpire to give more of a priority in following the ball and repositioning themselves for a possible following play.
Same thing with an obvious foul ball. If it's over the backstop, the stands and onto the neighboring field, why is there a need for a big foul call? Unless there are runner's moving or a fielder heading toward a fence, there is no reason for such a call. Reach in the bag and get another ball.