Being "hung out to dry"

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by bluezebra

1..If I don't see a catch, I can't call an out. Give the "safe" signal.

2.."Coach, I didn't see a catch, therefore I cannot call an out." If coach insists on arguing, I warn him/her, that there is no argument, and to return to coach's box, or bench, or head to the parking lot.

Bob

Do you think there might be room for an educated guess in some situations?

Example: This happened to me a few years ago and yes I still remember it clearly.

I'm PU
R1 1 0ut
Ball is hit to right field, not on the line but to the left and behind F9. PU hustles down TBL to take R1 into third, BU is watching R1 who is watching the play about a third of the way to 2nd.
Ball is caught or not caught by a diving F9, I don't know because I wasn't watching. But suddenly there was that horrible realization that I just blew it really badly, as I look toward RF I see my P signaling out. Not a word from anyone.
Post game: Not exact conversation but close enough
PU "Jim, I obviously screwed up on that fly to right, did you see it?
BU "I had it in the corner of my eye but F9s body blocked me, never saw the catch"
PU " How'd you call it then"
BU "I looked to you for the call, saw that you FUBARed the thing totally, looked back saw the BR tailing off to the visitors dugout, R1 returning to 1st and no one was even looking at us to make a call, easy out"
I shudder to think what would've happened if he signaled safe.