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Originally Posted by Chess Ref
I saw this at a 14U championship game Sunday......Runner steals 2B. She's safe, after the dust clears PU asks for help on a check swing on that pitch. BU comes up with the hammer and a loud "swing". Runner on 2B then starts heading for the dugout. I think she thought she was now called out. BU tells her to get back on the base. Defensive team wants an out for circle violation. PU then tells Defensive coach that time was out during the asking for help. Defensive coach is okay with that.
So my question is, is time automatically out when there is an appeal on a swing or is the ball still live ?
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You say 14U championship; I think you are at a point where the players should be expected to grasp what is happening around them. maybe not; you pick where you want to draw the line.
As SRW said, the ball remains alive in most instances of asking for help. In serious championship play, the reality is the player erred, and the penalty for not grasping the difference between "swing" on an appeal, and "out" on the steal, is a LBR violation (there is no rule called a circle violation in any book I use). That said, in lesser ball, you have options.
Option 1: You believe you put the runner in jeopardy; ASA 10.6-C allows the plate umpire to rectify. Doesn't work well in serious play, no reason any knowledgeable player would be fooled.
Option 2: You are empowered to assume time when performing "other duties" under ASA 10.8-B. This will also not work in serious play, as most requests are done live, the plate umpire did not leave his position, and this is more akin to calling a play than performing other duties. The actual wording is "Play will be suspended whenever the plate umpire leaves the umpires position to brush the plate or to perform other duties not directly connected with the calling of plays." In my mind, this is meant to cover activities like writing or reporting lineup changes, situations where the umpire is distracted, not as a catch-all for when you wish you had called time. Nonetheless, you could invoke it, just wouldn't sell it in to a knowledgable coach or UIC. I suspet this is what the PU used in this case.