Saying "Play"

[bluehair]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

I've been there. Working with a newer umpire, in the top of the first, several runners on base, he never once put the ball in play after a foul ball. I talked to him between the next several half innings. Sure enough, R1, R3, pitcher balks, I call it, DC, a former umpire, immediatly reminds me he never put the ball in play, we get together, I ask him, did you put it in play. Deer in headlights look, everyone back. The middle of that inning he comes to me, I think I get it now, put the ball in play everytime when there is a runner on base...DUH. During a pitching change, just before this happened, I again warned him to put the ball in play. It wasn't five pitches when this happened. It's a common curse here in my area.

This is just like giving a player a warning that he is doing something wrong. They'll never learn until they're burned.