Catcher hurt......do you kill the play?

[JRutledge]

I just wanted to know what you guys think about this play. I think I did the right thing but I want other opinions.

I am working the plate. The home team is in the field and the visiting team is at bat. R1 is on first base. The pitcher throws a ball in the dirt and hits the catcher square in the throat. The ball completely stops right in front of the catcher and R1 does not move at all. The catcher after a second or two gets up and starts walking to the bench area. The catcher is obviously hurt, but I could not tell how much. Then the runner starts to run to second base after a couple of seconds, but at the same time I kill the play. Now the visiting coach did not say anything at first. He waited until the current batter hit a ball into the outfield and moved R1 to third on a double. I happened to cover 3rd base and then the coach decided to say something to me. He was very cordial and respectful. The coach just wanted to know why I killed the play. The conversation went on without incident and he did not buy my explanation, but seemed to deal with it.

Now I asked my partner what he thought and he did not agree with me killing the play, but praised me for my explanation to the coach.

Now I want to get opinions if you feel I did the right thing by killing the play because I felt the kid might have been really hurt? Or do you feel I should have just let R1 run all over the diamond until someone picked it up?

Peace

[Edited by JRutledge on May 17th, 2005 at 04:21 AM]