Voluntary Release Play...

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

The problem wasn't timing, my problem was literally not seeing the play. It wasn't that I had my mind made up before I had processed it all, its that my eyes were literally incapable of seeing part of the play.

Four magic words if you're unsure - SHOW ME THE BALL

[tibear]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Four magic words if you're unsure - SHOW ME THE BALL

Exactly!!

Especially on a steal, if I have any doubt as to where the ball is, I immediately yell, "Show me the ball!!". If the defence raises their glove with the ball then I have an out otherwise save.

The beauty of this is that it tells both benches that I saw the play and have an out but only if the defensive player maintained control of the ball.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by tibear

Exactly!!

Especially on a steal, if I have any doubt as to where the ball is, I immediately yell, "Show me the ball!!". If the defence raises their glove with the ball then I have an out otherwise save.

The beauty of this is that it tells both benches that I saw the play and have an out but only if the defensive player maintained control of the ball.

So ... you guys are going to start giving fielders direction about showing you the ball when they are in the middle of trying to initiate another play? Egads, surely not. On one like this, the umpire merely needs to wait.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

So ... you guys are going to start giving fielders direction about showing you the ball when they are in the middle of trying to initiate another play? Egads, surely not. On one like this, the umpire merely needs to wait.

We're arguing the same point.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by waltjp

We're arguing the same point.

I suppose you forgot the four little magic words. Read post #22 for a refresher.

[RPatrino]

I agree with those who state that working in 'C' in this situation gives you better angles. It also gives you more options for adjustment for plays like this where you get screened.

As far as the pick off at 1b, you can quickly gain 2 or 3 steps moving toward the working area behind the mound and get a very good angle toward 1st.

[DG]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

As far as the pick off at 1b, you can quickly gain 2 or 3 steps moving toward the working area behind the mound and get a very good angle toward 1st.

You can move 2-3 steps toward 1B on a pickoff? D*mn the pickoff moves are slow in your area...

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I suppose you forgot the four little magic words. Read post #22 for a refresher.

PWL, I know exactly what I wrote. Tell me where I'm incorrect.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by waltjp

PWL, I know exactly what I wrote. Tell me where I'm incorrect.

Who is PWL? The only, and I repeat only time, I would use the magic words is when there is a tag play and I need the fielder to bring his glove up to show he has possession of the ball. Haven't had to use them as my timing and eyesight hasn't failed me yet.

What do the words, "Show me the ball" have to do with a catch and voluntary release. They mean the fielder has possession or not. Sounds as if Tuss got the call right if you don't see a voluntary release. Coaches want the call to go in their favor. They lost an out. What else do expect them to do?

[tibear]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

So ... you guys are going to start giving fielders direction about showing you the ball when they are in the middle of trying to initiate another play? Egads, surely not. On one like this, the umpire merely needs to wait.

Obviously, I wait until the play is over before asking for the ball. When I said immediately, I implied immediately after the play is over. If F4 jumps up and then throws the ball somewhere else, I don't need to ask for the ball now do I??

You ask for the ball when the play has ended and you're not sure where the ball is.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by tibear

Obviously, I wait until the play is over before asking for the ball. When I said immediately, I implied immediately after the play is over. If F4 jumps up and then throws the ball somewhere else, I don't need to ask for the ball now do I??

You ask for the ball when the play has ended and you're not sure where the ball is.

So what in the world does this have to do with the OP then?

[tibear]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

So what in the world does this have to do with the OP then?

With respect to asking to see the ball, I was responding to another post.

In the OP, I think everyone agrees that you need to wait a couple of seconds to verify where the ball is and since the umpire SAW the ball rolling on the ground this was an easy call.

[celebur]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Four magic words if you're unsure - SHOW ME THE BALL

But he wasn't unsure--the ball was clearly on the ground. The only question is how it got there, and asking the fielder to SHOW ME THE BALL doesn't help at this point.

Personally, if I didn't know how the ball got to the ground, safe is the only call I can make.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by celebur

But he wasn't unsure--the ball was clearly on the ground. The only question is how it got there, and asking the fielder to SHOW ME THE BALL doesn't help at this point.

Personally, if I didn't know how the ball got to the ground, safe is the only call I can make.

Not to bash Tuss on this, I think we've all done something similar at some point, but from his own words he started to signal 'safe' but then saw the ball on the ground. He wasn't 'unsure', he was simply wrong.

Timing, timing, timing. See the ball. If you don't see it ask for it. The extra second or two makes all the difference in the world. One play/one call. If the fielder can't produce the ball you signal safe and sell it, if needed, by stating that the fielder does not have possession of the ball.