Beating myself up about this one...

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by BigTex

Read the OP. Tuss did not have a swing, called the pitch a ball, nobody asked for an appeal. the count should now be 1-2. BU threw him under the bus. We can talk all we want about when to go for an un-requested appeal, but that is not what happened. Me and BU are having a serious heart-to-heart after the game.

Originally Posted by Steve Tyler

No appeal, no strike.

What's so hard to understand?

The both of you fabricated a strike out of thin air.

Wrong.

It doesn't matter if no one asked for help; the base umpire should give it immediately in such situations. It's called a voluntary strike and is an excellent mechanic to employ.

When the batter can become a runner on a ball that gets away from the catcher, the base umpire rules on a check swing without waiting for the request for help from his plate partner. The MLBUM explains this, and it is an approved mechanic under OBR and NCAA. The problems it prevents is worth it.