Quote:
Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE
ok - a related mechanics question - In FP/MFP, after a play with runners on, when do you actually stop watching the ball, and and actually start watching the baserunner(s)?
It is pretty amazing the number of umps I work with who will actually be watching the runners, without ever watching the BALL. And they are usually the ones who are calling time out every time an infielder asks- even with runners off the bases!  ....drives me nuts sometimes! 
The proper answer, of course, is watch the ball, with glances at the runner, so you have a feel for what they are doing. Once I see that P going ALL the way in the circle with the ball, I then look at the runner - if they are still standing off base by the time I have turned my head - BANG!  41 to go..... |
I'm not looking for a cheap out. And I am not going to guess an out. If she is still off base when I first see her she gets her chance to immediately move. After that then yes she is out.
Of course some times you have no choice but to call a cheap out. Twice this season in JV games I had a runner who had safely advanced from 1B to 2B for no discernible reason leave 2B and headed back to 1B while the ball was held by F1 in the circle. In one case I heard the girl tell her coach "I thought it was a foul ball" but she must have been the only one in the park who thought so.