Saying "Play"
 

When do you verbalize the word "play?"

At the start of the game only? Every time you put the ball back in play? When you put the ball back in play and runners are on base?

I was watching the prior game finish up. The plate umpire verbalized "play!" after a foul ball. The batter stepped out and was punched out on the subsequent pitch. I watched the batter put his hands up and the coach confront the umpire. I've worked the plate umpire several times and he told me the batter thought PU said "wait" and not "play!"

"Play" after dead ball
 

If ou don't sak "Play" or signal to the pitcher so that all can see after EVERY dead ball, you run the risk of having a pickoff play (or worse a hidden ball trick) with a dead ball. It doesn't take much effort and is a great habit to get into.

I say "Play" a lot.

To avoid the above scenario and to ensure the batter and catcher know that I am ready, I announce in a normal voice, "Okay, here we go...", just preceding "PLAY" for the outfielders.

I say it every time I put the ball in play. If there are no runners on, I don't say it very loud, but I say it every time.

JM

Many times
I will "point" the ball in play.
Often times
I'll "point" the ball and play and verbalized loud enough so at least the batter and catcher can hear me...

I will pregame w/ my partner that as PU, I will point the ball in every time that I remember to do so...(especially w/ runners on basen, namely 1st base)...certainly I don't overdue it, but it's important to do...on a balk, pickoff play, etc...you always have an out if you haven't "pointed the ball back in play yet" very important mechanic...good thread. I try to do it every-single-time, but the human element causes me to miss one now and then.

This is how I do it too.


A few weeks ago I had this very situation. Because I say play when the pick off attempt was made (and would've gotten him) my partner rather than making a call went to me and verified that I hadn't put the ball in play. Unfortunately in this situation I didn't come up big myself and kill it saying the ball wasn't in play. :(

It wasn't a big deal because everybody knew my mechanic. Even the catcher said "I told him to throw the instant you said play"

sorry to go off topic here...but how do I turn off "overtype" mode on here? it's driving me crazy

Like the others, I say "Play" every time I put the ball back in, well, play!

I certainly never say "Wait"...the word is "TIME!"

Perhaps you hit the "insert" key by mistake. That caused you to overtype your words.

In the words of Hans Gruber, "hit it, again!" That should get rid of the problem.

This was my usual method too. That or "Okay, let's go to work men..." and then say "Play." Anything to get them to focus their attention to the fact you are ready to go will work.

I have never had anyone say that they thought I said, "Wait." That is pretty funny when you think about it.;)

i usually verbalize play on the first pitch only.

for every other subsequent dead ball, i only point the ball in play.

i agree that it's a good habit to get into. it has saved my ace many-o-times

Well,
 

Good question:

1) I call "Play" at the start of the game loud enough for all to hear.

2) I call "Play" loudly enough for my partner to hear when there are players on base.

3) I always point the ball into "Play" by pointing at F1.

4) I do not say "Play" if there are no runners on base.

Regards,

What Tim said...

So when do you consider the ball impliedly live when your partner routinely neither points or announces "play"? For example, after a foul ball with runners on.

When do you mention the problem to your partner?

What Tim said...

I employ.."Batter you good?"--a rhetorical question most the time, then a point and "PLAY"..

Always "Play" to start the game...
Year or so ago, worked some Cal State Fullerton scrimmages in the off-season. Worked with a well respected, long-time D1, Big West guy. He told me to mix it up some. Dont say "Play" every single time.
--Always verbalize, even with no runners.
--Mix it up...Use "Play" "Here we go" or late in the game, close game , runners on "We're going" and point..

I asked if that how its done at that level. He said yes, you rarely hear "Play" every single time. Interpreted as little league-ish. I use "Play" at the start of the game and start of each inning. I use "Here we go" most of the time. And I bust out the "We're going" once or twice.

Works for me, and the players at this level know whats going on.

My 3 cents

When pitcher, catcher, batter and especially my partner look like they are ready for a pitch.

After the game is when I would give my partner feedback.

interesting...good post

in our pregame

Same here!

Likewise!

When I work with a partner(s), nothing is implied! If you have the plate, I will remind you during the pre-game to put the ball in play properly. It's just a friendly reminder. If you forget to put the ball in play during the game, I will remind you to do so between innings. If you fail again, and we get into a situation, I will probably make the ruling that the ball was not in play at the time. (This has never happened with any of my partners)
If I have the plate, I will tell you that I am going to put the ball in play after every dead ball situation.... and I will!

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.

I say it everytime time is called or when the becomes dead

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

"Play."

"Get it on!"

"Rock 'n roll"

"Giddyup"

"Let's get this over with"

"Next!"

"Yup"

"Come on, while we're young"

Or just a point.

"Play!"
 

Ditto Tim C

[QUOTE]
Others have answered

In the begining of one's career I would suggest SAYING PLAY after every TO, stoppage etc. UNTIL you get comfortable.

Then once you gain experience I am on board with Tee.

Pete Booth

I just worked a scrimmage with a Pac 10 umpire. He say's that for 09, they want them putting the ball back in play after any and every dead ball situation, regardless of runners on base or not. Seems a bit much and un-necessary, but that's what he said they're going to have to do next season.

Why do you rarely see MLB Umps doing it ? Even with runners on I rarely see it.

Because the expectations / knowledge of the participants is different.

I see them do it a lot of the time when I'm at the game or if they have the TV camera focused on the umpire. I always see them do it when they put a new ball in play after a foul or after inspecting/replacing a ball in the dirt. We probably don't see it on TV as much because the umpire has most likely already signaled by the time the cameraman gets a shot of the plate area.