[Jim Porter]

Here's a call I made in the RIMSBL Over-30's Finals this past season. I caught a lot of grief. However, I would've caught a lot of grief no matter which way I called it.

A strange hopper was hit to F4, shaded towards F3. F3 started for the ball, and then thought better of it. F4 fielded the ball and tried to throw to F3, who was on the run. He missed it, and the ball bounced over to the fence.

After the BR over-ran first, he didn't immediately realize that the ball had been overthrown. Once he did, he flinched toward second, but immediately stopped himself when he saw F2 field the errant throw. F2 flipped to F3, who chased the BR down and applied a tag.

My call: Out!

So, did I deserve the grief I caught? Is a, "flinch," toward second enough for you to decide that the BR did not, "return immediately," to first? Or would you require more, like a step toward second, before you'll terminate the BR's protection? Should I have said something to the BR to let him know he was in jeopardy? Give it to me good!