Rec game screw up

[chuckfan1]

Originally Posted by mbyron

1. Make sure that you verbalize "No catch!" and don't merely signal it. You should not both have made a call -- only one umpire has the ball (I can't tell which from your description, as it depends on how the F7 was moving).

2. A more vigorous call on the catch/no catch would have prevented some of the other follies.

3. The BR is not out for abandonment until he enters the dugout (NFHS) or leaves the dirt circle (OBR). In any case, you should never call abandonment during a live-ball play like this: no rule determines the route the BR must take on his way to 1B (well, within some limits). You were correct NOT to call an out for abandonment.

I agree with you on 2 & 3...... However on a no-catch..... I believe you should just be going with a safe signal........no verbal needed. Similar to a verbal/mechanic on a foul ball, and just the mechanic on a fair ball. If your yelling fair and foul , could sound the same to the players. Same with verbalizing no-catch. The players might believe you said "Catch" in some form.

Ball is foul, verbalize with mechanic...everyone stops .... ball is fair......mechanic, everyone keeps going because they didnt hear anything.

Ball is caught, verbalize with mechanic,
Ball is not caught, safe mechanic....