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Originally Posted by illinoisbluezeb
I_R has it right but to add a little as I saw it from behind the plate.
Trophy Game, 2nd inning of ITB, 5-5.
D5 and D3 were within 10-15 feet of homeplate and creeping closer, not in batters sight line with pitcher, about 4 feet off the line.
D1 had completed her rock/step back and was coming forward and stopped when her plant foot hit the ground. Hands were a part, then she puts hand together after she stops.
I immediately check the catcher to see if she had a problem to cause the pitcher to stop, I then check my partner to see if he called TO, he is standing hands apart palms up like ???. I look to see if something had been thrown on the field, had coaches come on to the field, all of this in about 10 seconds or so and find nothing (Thinking dam# there is going to be a bad firestorm) that caused D1 to stop. I then call illegal pitch and administer the ball to the batter and award R3 home.
The debate was not over legal or illegal pitch(i think everybody knew it was illegal) but was over the penalty. D coaches said it was just a ball on the batter and not a balk. I said it is like a balk but the batter gets a ball also.
I heard a father from the crowd say after I called the IP "Games over" before all of the yelling started from that area.
We did need some assistance to get through the fans to get to or umpire changing area. Thank the Tourney officals for that.
I_R tell your co-workers thanks for the backup, they were not needed but you never know.
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About a month ago, I had a similar game and ending. 1st round state game, tied in the bottom of the 10th, 1 out, runner on 3B. F1 brought hands together, separated, stopped and backed off. After a quick mental replay to make sure I had seen what I thought I saw, I called the IP to end the game. Prior to this, F1 and been textbook legal.
If I see the IP, I'll call it, regardless of when.