Quote:
Originally posted by chris s
I signal DDB. BR is screaming "interference" as he trots down to first, looking back at me. Ball was caught, I called time and awarded 1st. Stupid chirping from offense, "you called it too late"???
I believe the problem is that a lot of folks do not understand delayed dead ball situations.
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Chris,
I take your point and I'd like to expand on Garth's advice. We don't have Fed. down here, so there is
no DDB signal to use anyway. Our guys are taught instead to point at the site of the infraction, as Garth suggested, but they are also taught to use a variation of the spectator interference signal. This involves holding the left arm up above the head (for visibility) and making a chopping motion with the right hand on the back of the left wrist.
The signal immediately follows the point. Everyone can see it and the chopping action is a fair approximation of what the bat did to the catcher's glove so most people can work out what it means. Even if your batter turns around he's going to see you signalling something that looks like what actually happened and continue with the play.
Some guys also use the "That's Interference!" verbal call, but I find too many players will stop dead in their tracks when they hear that, even if you haven't called "Time". I prefer instead to be Marcelle Marseau on this play, and go with mime only. (grin) Nevertheless, you are correct when you suggest that delayed dead ball situations are always going to incite comments from an uneducated audience.
Cheers,
Warren Willson