quote:
Originally posted by rex:
OK so you've both read it.
I never call time when there's a "balls in" situation. I won't let the ball come in.
Who ever has the out of play ball will always (dangerous word) get someone's attention before throwing the thing over the fence or handing to someone on the field.
When they holler hay blue/catcher ball in. Ya just holler back hold on to if for a minute.
If you have a live ball out there and let's say it's the only one you have left. You don't need another until the one that is alive goes away. A pouch full of game balls is not a security blanket. When the only game ball you have goes away it's gonna be a dead ball situation any way you look at it. ThatÂ’s when you ask for the balls in.
If the game ball doesn't go away sooner or later there will be another HAPPENING that will cause the ball to go dead, then you can get that wayward ball(s).
Should you let that ball come in when there is a batter in the box and call time, he's gonna step out yadata-yadata-yadata.
Should it be a dug out player/shag situation that ball can be run in just like the BB's do in the pros when there is a lull.
Now then if the ball comes in when your not expecting it, ya gotta call time, then you get to chew butt on whoever threw that ball in while the game was going on.
That ball coming in can add another minute to the game if you call time.
I just love it when after a game some parent comes up to me and says they enjoyed the games and that I just kept it moving along, They have idea as to why it moved along so will. But I know why, I don't call time unless my back is up against it.
Our housekeeping should not effect the game.
rex
Rex,
You and I have similar views regarding this matter. Some umpires around here waste a ton of time on foul balls and extra balls. They make the catcher chase fouls to the screen and passed balls with no runners on base. They wait while the left fielder chases down a foul ball in the poison ivy and bull briars. They stop the game so a little kid can toss a ball he retrieved over the fence.
When I work, the on-deck batters are ready to retrieve those meaningless balls to the screen. I never look at a person trying to give a ball to me until there's an appropriate stop in the action. If they're calling my name I usually just send an index finger in their general direction and tell them to hold on for a moment. I always holler, "Let it go," to a fielder trying to retrieve a foul ball that is farther away than 15 feet, and one that is of no consequence to playing action.
Let players wearing helmets go and retrieve those balls. Of course, in Little League this is a different matter. The size of the diamond makes the above recommendations impossible sometimes. But on the big field, there's no need to hold up the game for a ball that is easily retrievable by another player not involved in the game.
It can be the difference between a 2-1/2 hour game and a 2 hour game.
Sincerely,
Jim Porter