Asking to see the ball

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I really depends on the situation.

If there's other runners advancing, I'm just letting things play out. I'm not going to stop the catcher in making another play by having him show me the ball. I can figure that out on my own. If it's appropriate, I'll ask, but let the situation dicatate it.

That is a good point. I guess that's the assumption I was making. Ultimately we can watch the catcher remove the ball out of his glove and make an additional play.

[Pensaump]

There used to be this guy that umpired around here. He told a position player one time after a tag to "show me the ball, show me the ball," the kid showed him the ball and he called this runner safe.

[Kevin Finnerty]

That just happened in a Bronco game I was coaching last month. It was more of a straining-to-see-the-ball-slow-stroll-and-pause routine, but once the kid pulled the ball out and showed it to him, he called the kid safe at third. And the guy is a pal of mine, who does challenging games like JUCO, H.S. varsity and scout leagues. It was hilarious.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Pensaump

There used to be this guy that umpired around here. He told a position player one time after a tag to "show me the ball, show me the ball," the kid showed him the ball and he called this runner safe.

That is pretty darn funny!

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

That is pretty darn funny!

agree...that is funny

[RogersUmp]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

That is a good point. I guess that's the assumption I was making. Ultimately we can watch the catcher remove the ball out of his glove and make an additional play.

What about when there are two outs? The catcher makes the tag with his glove, you don't see the ball in his glove because of the cloud from the slide, he gets up and starts to run off the field and you signal out while the ball is lying on the ground. If he doesn't have the ball and doesn't realize it he is not going to be thinking about another play. I ask for it when I need to see it. If he can't show me he doesn't have it.

[johnnyg08]

Then that is the final play since that would be the 3rd out...I make no signal until I see the ball. I think the post I was referring to is a "snowball fight" type situation where there's maybe a play at the plate, then maybe on B/R going into 2B...obviously w/ < 2 out

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by RogersUmp

What about when there are two outs? The catcher makes the tag with his glove, you don't see the ball in his glove because of the cloud from the slide, he gets up and starts to run off the field and you signal out while the ball is lying on the ground. If he doesn't have the ball and doesn't realize it he is not going to be thinking about another play. I ask for it when I need to see it. If he can't show me he doesn't have it.

The problem with this is (as was posted in a previous thread) what if the catcher pulls the ball out from under him (he is laying on his glove) with his bare hand? Did he really have the ball or did he pull it out from under his body?

A good player will always show the ball in the glove but when he cannot or does not, it is the umpire's job to find the ball. Standing 5 feet away hollering "show me the ball" will get you into trouble sooner or later.

[johnnyg08]

I think we're always looking for the ball...while looking for the ball, I am watching F2 to give me clues as to where the ball is. I'm not closing my eyes saying show me the ball.