Quote:
Originally Posted by MD Longhorn
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I'll disagree with this on a few points.
Too many umpires read something like this and take if as authority to just call time when s/he sees something like this occur. The umpire already has the authority and tools to put the batter back in the box and penalize if the player does not comply.
Problem is, what happens when this occurs and R2 is on their way to 3B when the umpire kills the play? If I'm the OC, that umpire is going to get an earful.
What happens when a coach gives you the heads up that they are going to try a trick play? I've occasionally heard umpires use "trickery" as a reason to nullify a play. There are no rules, nor should their be, to prevent a team from taking advantage of the other's inattention or laziness. Of course, I'm not referring to a fake tag or anything which brings safety into question.
I can understand calling time when a batter mistakenly heads toward 1B as a matter of expedience, but not after scanning the field and determining there is no other play unfolding at the time. My concern is that I don't think most umpires would take the time to check before arbitrarily suspending play.