PU-Throwing Ball Back to Pitcher-Let the Players Play the Game

[TussAgee11]

Foul ball that F2 gives chase, I open gate and go with him. We end up 20 feet away from each other, F1 standing around the plate area.

I'm flipping it to F1.

Ball to the backstop during warmups, I'm flipping to F1 from the foul line. I'm not going to flip 30 feet one way so F2 can throw it 60 feet another.

If F2 is in front of me, I'm handing. He wants to keep his guy in a rhythm. I could keep him in one if I wanted to, my arm is pretty good, but that's his job, not mine.

As for the athleticism Tim pointed out, I didn't know that history. These days, I'll prove that athleticism by getting to the 45 foot line on a ground ball when the fat @$$ catcher never moves a muscle from behind the plate

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Foul ball that F2 gives chase, I open gate and go with him. We end up 20 feet away from each other, F1 standing around the plate area.

I'm flipping it to F1.

I don't understand (1) why F2 is chasing a foul, (2) why you need to open the gate, (3) why you end up 20 feet from each other, and (4) why on earth F1 is standing around the plate area. Could you explain why all of these things are happening without baserunners?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I don't understand (1) why F2 is chasing a foul, (2) why you need to open the gate, (3) why you end up 20 feet from each other, and (4) why on earth F1 is standing around the plate area. Could you explain why all of these things are happening without baserunners?

I assume he means a foul fly that ends up not caught.

I follow the same general guidelines as tussagee. I'll also throw it back if F2 takes a ball off the body and needs a minute.

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I don't understand (1) why F2 is chasing a foul, (2) why you need to open the gate, (3) why you end up 20 feet from each other, and (4) why on earth F1 is standing around the plate area. Could you explain why all of these things are happening without baserunners?

Its simpler than you realize!

1) The ball was popped up behind the plate
2) Open the gate so catcher can chase the ball, track F2 as he runs back to the fence
3) 20 feet was just a reasonable guess, don't want to be too close for him making a potential play, don't want to give up the plate too much if there is an R3
4) On the foul ball behind the plate, pitchers traditionally head towards home or if the popup is off behind either dugouts they chase it as well. They rarely stand idly by on the mound, particularly if there is R3.

Make sense?

I assume that you assumed that we were discussing a direct foul shot to the screen, in which case I think we agree slap one in F2s hand and let someone else chase it down.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Its simpler than you realize!

1) The ball was popped up behind the plate
2) Open the gate so catcher can chase the ball, track F2 as he runs back to the fence
3) 20 feet was just a reasonable guess, don't want to be too close for him making a potential play, don't want to give up the plate too much if there is an R3
4) On the foul ball behind the plate, pitchers traditionally head towards home or if the popup is off behind either dugouts they chase it as well. They rarely stand idly by on the mound, particularly if there is R3.

Make sense?

I assume that you assumed that we were discussing a direct foul shot to the screen, in which case I think we agree slap one in F2s hand and let someone else chase it down.

Oh, additional information. Now I can "see" it in my feeble mind. Yes, I was picturing a passed ball or foul straight back with no runners.

[biggravy]

I almost started a thread about this the other day. Watching a Cubs game, PU, Gerry Davis I believe, fired one back to F1. Soto was right there and turned his head, said something through his mask to PU who leaned in and nodded. The next several times, PU handed F2 the ball. It got me wondering what other umpires do.

Me? I usually have one ready before F2 gets the hand or glove up. If F2 is up and away from me I throw it back. Sometimes in high school I seem to get an F2 that thinks it time for him to stand up and stretch. I used to catch and don't blame him one bit if that's what he wants to do. I step to the side and its an easy toss back to F1. I don't think it's my time to show off and fire a missile. Nothing to prove. Agreed with the other poster that I show my ability by hustling my fat *** to where I'm supposed to be.

[DG]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I don't understand (1) why F2 is chasing a foul, (2) why you need to open the gate, (3) why you end up 20 feet from each other, and (4) why on earth F1 is standing around the plate area. Could you explain why all of these things are happening without baserunners?

(1) To catch a pop foul (2) so don't interfere with him (3) because 20 feet away is close enough to call a pop foul catch (4) no clue why F1 is at the plate area, but if he is there I will hand/toss him a ball for his return trip to mound if the ball went out of play. If F2 made the catch he can throw that ball to him.

I see quite a few ML umps who throw the ball back, but they are throwing to professionals. I prefer to let the catcher throw back to amateurs if at all possible.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by DG

(1) To catch a pop foul (2) so don't interfere with him (3) because 20 feet away is close enough to call a pop foul catch (4) no clue why F1 is at the plate area, but if he is there I will hand/toss him a ball for his return trip to mound if the ball went out of play. If F2 made the catch he can throw that ball to him.

Perhaps you should have read these posts first:

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Its simpler than you realize!

1) The ball was popped up behind the plate
2) Open the gate so catcher can chase the ball, track F2 as he runs back to the fence
3) 20 feet was just a reasonable guess, don't want to be too close for him making a potential play, don't want to give up the plate too much if there is an R3
4) On the foul ball behind the plate, pitchers traditionally head towards home or if the popup is off behind either dugouts they chase it as well. They rarely stand idly by on the mound, particularly if there is R3.

Make sense?

I assume that you assumed that we were discussing a direct foul shot to the screen, in which case I think we agree slap one in F2s hand and let someone else chase it down.

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Oh, additional information. Now I can "see" it in my feeble mind. Yes, I was picturing a passed ball or foul straight back with no runners.

[DG]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Perhaps you should have read these posts first:

Yep, missed it..

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by zm1283

I can't believe that a thread about throwing the ball back to the pitcher has gone five pages.

Well, with all the "editing," it's back to four!

Originally Posted by DG

Yep, missed it..

No big deal, it happens! I wasn't thinking clearly to start with, but what else is new?