View Single Post
  #5 (permalink)  
Old Fri Aug 09, 2002, 08:20pm
IRISHMAFIA IRISHMAFIA is offline
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: USA
Posts: 14,565
Quote:
Originally posted by David Emerling


Now, one might think, "There should at least be a warning!" Well, umpires are usually given the OPTION of issuing warnings. But, in this case, I think a warning would be inappropriate since it would serve no purpose. Besides, if an act is heinous or obvious enough - there really is no reason to issue a warning. In this case, the infraction was OBVIOUS. While the pitcher is holding the ball in the circle, the first base coach is practically PUSHING the girl off the base. "Get off! Get off!" he yelled.

I don't know where you got that impression, but it isn't true. If an umpire knows and admits s/he issued a warning in lieu of enforcing the rule, s/he subjects themselves to a protest.

Personally, as an umpire, if I saw this coming I would kill the ball and admonish the coach. That would be a nice example of preventive umpiring, not to mention kill another minute or so off the clock :-)

__________________
The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
Reply With Quote