Quote:
Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu
ASA SP Runners on first and second, no outs. I am PU working w/ a partner.
Batter hit a long drive to LF. As I'm moving up the third base line, I have R1 in my vision. F7 makes an outstanding catch, back to home plate, like a wide receiver in football. I signaled and verbalized "out". R1, apparently thinking there was no chance for a catch has now rounded third. He basically gave up and did not try to return to second base.
As the ball is coming in from F7 to second base, I see R2 had just pulled up on the base. Partner is outside the baseline and now trailing R2. The infielder gets the ball and steps on second base. I called out to retire R1 on the live ball appeal. Not sure if partner also called out.
Now there is some confusion about R1 on second base. No one tagged him with the ball but F4 ran over to 1B and stepped on the base. I'm looking at my partner, and he's got nothing. We got together to discuss and I asked if he saw R1 tag up. He did not. We ended up calling R1 out for an obviously controversial triple play. Runner was not happy, claiming he did tag.
After the game, partner and I discussed. He said he had the tag at second. I asked, well, then who is supposed to take the tag at first? I think at that point he realized he messed up. We sometimes game plan that in a similar situation with the ball being hit to RF, that the BU will take the tag on the runner at second, while PU takes the tag at first given field of vision.
So a couple of things. I can't fault my partner for "getting inside" on this play. The ball off the bat to the catch was maybe 3-4 seconds. He still should have been checking the runner at first.
I usually go by the axiom of if you don't see an out, don't call an out. This case, we didn't see a tag up, and as a result, called an out.
How would others have handled this one?
Thanx.
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Remember, you asked.
Given the information I have, I've got no outs with a runner in 2B. Granted, there may be more information not provided, but.....
Unless the defense was obvious the reason for throwing the ball to 2B was to appeal R1 leaving early. I didn't see that noted, but if there was such an insinuation, no problem, then R1 is out.
Your partner was outside the diamond on a ball to LF? With runners on?If he couldn't get inside in 3-4 seconds, he had to be spectating. I'm an old fart with one bad and one fake knee and I can do that.
But you are right, that isn't an excuse for not watching the proper base.
This is a good example of why you shouldn't pre-game deviations to the given mechanics. Too often you run into others "assuming" that since it was mentioned in a pregame, it is a given that such a switch-up of coverage will occur on every similar situation. And I have no problem switching up on assignments, but the extent of mentioning that in a pregame would be that "if we need to switch up, I'll let you know".
And if you didn't see the runner tag up, you didn't see him leave early either. And as previously noted, you don't guess the out. That doesn't mean you ignore obvious evidence of an execution of an out (i.e., R2 pulling up to 2B when or nearly immediately following the catch which in his position, your partner should have seen
