TWO Balls in Play

[JPaco54]

Last night - St Louis Cardinal game, pass ball on ball 4, BR sprints to 1B, F2runs down the ball to the backstop...F2 turns and throws to 1B to catch runner rounding 1B, runner safe sliding back into 1b, meanwhile, while F2 is throwing to 1B, PU tosses another ball to F1...which ball is in play?...what if ball was thrown to RF....which ball is in play...the announcers stated the ball the PU put into play because PU would not want to be the cause of the error. This gets back to the issue as to who or whom should throw the ball back to the pitcher. Just something that I had not seen before.

[GA Umpire]

The one put into play by the PU is not the ball in play. If any play is made using that ball, I would definitely be trying to figure out how fast I could kick the PU in the a$$ for that stupid action. I believe "Time" would have to be called and place the runner(s) where the umpires thought they would end up. But, if F1 gives the ball back and nothing is done with that ball and no one plays off that ball, then don't reference the screw up. But, I would still be looking to put my foot up the PU's a$$.

That is just how I would handle it. Probably lose my job afterward and be down 2 umpires. PU with my foot lodged in his a$$.

[RogersUmp]

Sounds like Drake was asleep. Did anyone make a call on the throw to first?

[waltjp]

To be technical, if the PU is throwing a ball in play the ball is dead until the umpire makes it live. If he properly called time before throwing the new ball in play then both balls are dead.

I think common sense would tell you that the ball F2 and F3 were playing on is the live ball. It probably would have made for an interesting conversation if the B/R was put out on the play.

[RogersUmp]

There is nothing more fun to watch than confusion and chaos on the diamond...unless you are the cause, of course!!

[Rcichon]

Sh!tstorm waiting to happen.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by JPaco54

Last night - St Louis Cardinal game, pass ball on ball 4, BR sprints to 1B, F2runs down the ball to the backstop...F2 turns and throws to 1B to catch runner rounding 1B, runner safe sliding back into 1b, meanwhile, while F2 is throwing to 1B, PU tosses another ball to F1...which ball is in play?...what if ball was thrown to RF....which ball is in play...the announcers stated the ball the PU put into play because PU would not want to be the cause of the error. This gets back to the issue as to who or whom should throw the ball back to the pitcher. Just something that I had not seen before.

Don't poke 'em when they're swollen up this bad.

Replacement of ball during live action is quite common.
Perhaps Drake did not realize continuing action of F2 who may have been behind him.