[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by JPaco54

Been working on this for weeks. Be patient, Read the play, Pause, then make your call...it has helped me immensely on making calls on the bases and at the plate. I believe my consistency has improved. BUT...then I mess up. Need some input on how you would have ended up resolving this play...
Sit: 11U USSSA tournament = R1 and R2 - one out....I am BU...Line drive hit to right center, F8 comes running in, dives, catches the ball, I signal out and verbalize catch....then, as he is sliding and rolling the ball pops out, I then signal ball down, and verbalize ball down....meanwhile, runners on my OUT signal are still standing on their bases. F8 bounces back up throws the ball to 2B for force out F6 throws the ball to 1B for second force out....double play....OC comes out and asks that it should be a catch and runners should remain on their bases since I had first signaled an out therefore the runners held their bases and said they should not be penalized for your mistake...I spoke with my partner and he wasn't sure what to do. We talked to both coaches and I stated, even though I made the out sign and verbalized out, the ball came loose, and I didnt think I could change the play. We called for UIC, Tourn. Director and the short of it was that we decided to go with my first call, CATCH and place runners back on their bases. Both coaches were fine with the call and we played on. Did we make the right decision on this screw up? Thanks in advance for your insight!

p.s. I was real upset with myself and can value more than ever, the ability to be patient.

You have to wait even longer on these plays to make sure the fielder "completes" the catch. The runner can always run when the ball touches the fielder glove. I also use the phrase "show me the ball" to slow myself down.