Base Stealing

[Hotshot]

BR3 takes 10 foot lead after catcher receives pitch. If catcher starts to throw to Pitcher lead increases. Now you have BR3 12 feet of base and catcher holding ball. If nobody moves what do you do to keep the game moing?

[Marty Rogers]

Why doesn't F2 pick off this runner???

What level are you talking?

[Hotshot]

I'm talking Minor Baseball. If F2 throws to Third, BR3 comes home. If F2 walks him back, BR3 will run as soon as F2 throws to F1. If F3 covers Home the whole thing starts over again when F2 starts back to home. This was happening on every pitch.

[brandda]

F1 should run in and get the ball from the catcher. As an umpire there is not much you can do about it.

[Jerry]

Why not just call "Time". All play action has ceased and no play is being made. That way, no one can do anything until the pitcher has the ball, is on the rubber and is ready to go.

[Hotshot]

When F1 runs in to get the ball, BR3 starts down the base line towards home. Can time be called if the baserunner is off the base but not moving in either direction? And can time be called by the catcher at that point?

[Jerry]

The catcher can't call "time"; but you can. Get on with the game. Tell 'em it's for a television time out. At that age level, they do the same "cat and mouse" game on pickoff attempts. The 1st baseman hangs onto the ball for an hour and a half, waiting for the poor runner to try to get up from the ground. They haven't been taught how to "walk back" to the base.

Same situation here. If no one's doing anything to move the game along, (i.e. the runner's not running and the fielder's not throwing) you better take control of the "action" (or non-action). The coaches, parents and your partner will appreciate it in the long run.