[mcrowder]

I was watching a game - not in the area I UIC, and I don't have any idea about the abilities of these particular umpires. But their solution was truly unique (and surely protestable if anyone knew to bother).

R1 on 2nd, R2 on 1st, no outs. Ball hit to shallow CF. R1 rounds third, R2 heads for 2nd. F9 fires home. R2 scampers back to third base just as R1 arrives there, and F2 throws to F5. Here's where it gets fun.

Both runners are lying on their stomachs, with a hand on the bag. F5 steps on the bag. Umpires pause about 2 seconds and BU yells TIME! PU and BU huddle. F5 gives the ball to pitcher while they huddle - both coaches are out of their dugout, but not approaching umpires yet. The huddle breaks up, PU goes to say something to home manager, and BU goes to say something to away manager. Who knows what was said.

BU heads over to third base without making a call. PU is in the working area, looks at F1 and says, "Play Ball". I'm stunned at this point, as are the players. Umpires just stood there. Neither coach told his players what to do. Eventually, F1 throws to F5 - who again steps on the bag. I hear the word "appeal" coming from 3B dugout repeatedly, and F5 says something to BU. BU just stares at her.

FINALLY, F5 tags both runners and BU rules R2 out.

CRAZY stuff. Neither coach came out to complain, and the game went on.