Subject: Possession; or, not.....

[Rog]

One out
R1
Batter hits grounder at 2nd base
SS takes the play and while he has his foot on the base uses his glove to scoop the ball up and flip it up and out of the glove at the same time to his throwing hand; but, does not catch the ball and it drops to the ground.
SS picks up the ball and throws to 1st for that out.

SS claims he dropped the ball during the transfer.
Umpire said that SS never had possession of the ball.

Would you call a "Safe"; or, "OUT" at 2nd on the first part of this possible double play???

[Tim C]

Some players are just better players than umpires are umpires.

I worked a clinic where Joe "One-Plus-One" Morgan was the lead instructor and he NEVER caught the ball once on the pivot during the teaching. He allowed the ball to hit the back of his glove, stop the ball dead, in one mortion move the glove a way and grap the ball with his throwing hand.

Now all I can say specifically about your post is:

In the JUDGMENT of the umpire the ball was never securely captured and therefore he "could be" correct with his call.

However, I believe that an umpire has to be flexible enough and know the game well enough to KNOW if a player gained possesion before losing the handle.

I am sure it would been an easier call to discuss had we all been there to see it.

[jicecone]

Your right Tee, you had to be there in order to call that one.

Had a play once on a potential 4-6-3 dlb play. SS caught the ball low, dropped it on the ground, picked it up and threw it over to first. I ruled that he did not have possesion. The player and coach tried to convince me that the ball was being transfered to the throwing hand via the ground, because the player was so low to the ground, that he didnt want to take the time to transfer it to his throwing hand.

Sounded somewhat feasible, however I was'nt convinced.

You would have had to seen it, to call. Same as above.

[bluezebra]

"The player and coach tried to convince me that the ball was being transfered to the throwing hand via the ground, because the player was so low to the ground, that he didnt want to take the time to transfer it to his throwing hand."

RIGHT!

And I have a houseboat for sale on the Mojave River in So CA.

Bob

p.s. Is that coach in politics?

B

[jicecone]

No

But what's the price on that boat? We had so much rain in Pa. this year I could use one.

[umpyre007]

Originally posted by jicecone
No

But what's the price on that boat? We had so much rain in Pa. this year I could use one.

Any boat on the Mojave River would NOT be sea nor river worthy.