Granting time to walk the ball to the pitcher

[Rcichon]

last season. Every time I asked why but only one catcher had an appropriate response:


"I need to talk to the pitcher".

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rcichon

last season. Every time I asked why but only one catcher had an appropriate response:


"I need to talk to the pitcher".

Catchers' are not held to the same standard as other defensive players. Unless they are clearly abusing the privilege, they get time pretty much whenever they ask.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

Catchers' are not held to the same standard as other defensive players. Unless they are clearly abusing the privilege, they get time pretty much whenever they ask.

But I still won't grant time, even to a catcher, if I feel the only reason for the request is to avoid having a fielder throw the ball away, possibly allowing runners to advance. I guess that would be the "abusing the privilege" part.

[dannyboy]

Early on I got yelled at in a JV game, where runner on third, catcher not paying attention, trying to communicate with F1 just jogs out to him (didnt ask for time) about half way- kids steals home, defensive coach loses his mind on his player AND the other coach and finally on me-. My evaluator was watching and was quick to tell me in the future let catchers know if they want time, just ask- prevents lots of issues...run scored-bad on defense, and the whole thing took literally seconds to happen.

if they dont call time...oh well. I agree that catchers get latitude on stuff, long as they dont abuse it, and as a catcher, I worked officials every chance I had

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by dannyboy

Early on I got burned in a JV game, where runner on third, catcher not paying attention, trying to communicate with F1 just jogs out to him about half way- kids steals home, defensive coach loses his mind on his player AND the other coach and finally on me-. My evaluator was watching and was quick to tell me in the future let catchers know if they want time, just ask- prevents lots of issues...

if they dont...oh well. I agree that catchers get latitude on stuff, heck they are protecting us.

There's nothing wrong with calling time without a request if you deem it appropriate.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

There's nothing wrong with calling time without a request if you deem it appropriate.

Yeah, if you're dealing with an injury. I don't agree you should call time just because the catcher didn't give you a verbal request for a timeout. They could be pulling the old hidden ball trick if the infield decides to come. While the catcher would leave home plate uncovered in this situation is beyond me.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Yeah, if you're dealing with an injury. I don't agree you should call time just because the catcher didn't give you a verbal request for a timeout. They could be pulling the old hidden ball trick if the infield decides to come. While the catcher would leave home plate uncovered in this situation is beyond me.

There was a similar discussion at school. Scenario: Any R, after being crossed up, catcher clears batter and heads for his pitcher. Not hearing a request for time, umpire says/does nothing. R advances on a close play at next bag. Manager comes out. Catcher claims he asked for time.

Question posed by instructors: Do you really want to have that argument?

When catcher heads for mound, call time. If you think he's abusing the practice, chat with him when he gets back.