Stump the ump

[Rich]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

Sorry if you took it personally, I was not directing the comment to any one specifically. I have read a lot of your input on here and other forums and respect your opinion greatly.

I thought we were talking FED and just don't see how we cannot just kill it, by rule, when action is relaxed.

Let me ask you this. If your catcher blocks one in the dirt keeping the ball in front of him, he removes his helmet while looking at the runner/s who are not moving, slides the ball toward him or picks it up using his helmet/mask, you are going to award bases?

Personally, I'm going to call time at this point and check the ball -- before the catcher does what you describe here.

If I have to award bases on detached player equipment, I will, but if I can avoid it (like in this situation), you're damned right I will.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Rich

Personally, I'm going to call time at this point and check the ball -- before the catcher does what you describe here.

If I have to award bases on detached player equipment, I will, but if I can avoid it (like in this situation), you're damned right I will.

Unless you're a mindreader, why would you check the ball? I'm assuming you don't do it on all balls in the dirt. I think you're looking retroactively at the situation and applying a proactive remedy that you just won't have at the time it would need to be applied.

[Rich]

If I see F2 start his mask towards it....

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Rich

If I see F2 start his mask towards it....

I'm cringing. We're in bail-out-stupidity territory here.

I'm just thinking back to the one we had in that college game...had we done that, it would have been at least one ejection (and with that coach, him protesting that we killed the ball improperly.) And he would have been totally justified and correct.

[Rich]

I can stop play whenever action is relaxed.

After 30 years at all amateur levels, I don't feel the need to show everyone how smart I am.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Rich

I can stop play whenever action is relaxed.

After 30 years at all amateur levels, I don't feel the need to show everyone how smart I am.

That's not the point. I have a similar (if not better) resume. I would get hammered if I did this, because play isn't relaxed.

[Rich]

What about this is unrelaxed? The runners aren't moving and the ball is laying in front of the catcher.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Rich

What about this is unrelaxed? The runners aren't moving and the ball is laying in front of the catcher.

And what is the catcher doing?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Matt

And what is the catcher doing?

Not a thing before I call time.