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Declaring a batted ball foul before it is actually foul is something that I have noticed a lot of umpires doing lately.
In most cases, it's not going to hurt anything, but it is a bad habit to get into and it will eventually jump up and bite you in the butt.
I was working a game earlier this year as the BU, batter squared to bunt, bunted the ball down the first base line, ball is still moving and spinning just outside the line and the PU yells out "FOUL BALL". Neither coach said anything and play went on, but I just cringed to myself when that happened.
I always tell new umpires to get in the habit of waiting to call the ball foul, just like we do when we call a strike or ball, out or safe. It's not hard to do and it can save you some grief.
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It's what you learn after you think you know it all that's important!
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