Saying "Play"

[njdevs00cup]

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!"

[TxUmp]

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.

[mick]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

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!"

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.

[UmpJM]

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

[johnnyg08]

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.

[Emperor Ump]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

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

This is how I do it too.

Originally Posted by TxUmp

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.

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"

[johnnyg08]

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

[scarolinablue]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

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!"

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!"

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

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

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.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by mick

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.

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.

[bossman72]

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

[Tim C]

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,

[justanotherblue]

What Tim said...

[Paul L]

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?

[Nigel Tufnel]

What Tim said...

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