Who's Got First?

[soundedlikeastrike]

Originally Posted by Garth Vader

While doing a 18 year old game the following play occurred. I was in the B position. Ground ball to the right side pitcher tries to field it but misses. First baseman field the ball and the pitcher is covering first but approaching from a bad angle. The pitcher from my angle may or may not have tagged the edge of the base facing second ( at this point I would have been looking to my partner for help) the pitcher than clearly tags the base a "second time" this time the runner is clearly safe. The pitchers action (tagging the base a second time) told me that he initially missed the base on his first attempt I signalled safe.

The defensive coach doesn't complain but I hear him call out to the first baseman "Next time don't tag the base twice". I got that sinking feeling that something is wrong. I waited a couple of innings and I asked my partner if he got the base the first time and he said that he did.

Here's my question.

1. Hindsight being 20/20 should I have looked to my partner for help even though to everyone watching (myself included) this game that the pitcher tagging the base twice suggested that he missed the base the first time.

2. Should my partner have come to me to let me know that he tagged the base the first time?

Gordon

1. Yes, for three good reasons.
A. You stated; "The pitcher from my angle may or may not have
tagged the edge of the base facing second ( at this point I would
have been looking to my partner for help)". So what changed your
mind? You didn't know. The follow on action should never have a
bearing on what you saw or didn't see. Would every trapped ball you
call be changed to a catch because the fielder holds it up and shows
it too you, course not. A batter doesn't swing, does his
action "suggest" it wasn't a strike?
B. Your partner told you, you missed it. Hindsight say's you should
asked.
C. It woulda looked sharp as heck, and you've nothing to lose, worst you
get is the same call, the best you get is an out. And you'll sleep much
better knowing you did everything in your power to GET IT RIGHT.

2. No. Your partner doesn't know why you called em safe, maybe you had a
bobble, maybe you thought the runner won the race? You later post
your partner should have interjected, again, what if you just flat missed
a call, you would expect your partner to stop all action and tell you what
he had? On what, every play? Only 95% of em, 50%, where do you draw
the line? How about a low strike, should the BU interject. Why not
just go with 3 umpire's per base, majority rules?

I like your get it right desire, but "you" gotta get em right not the consensus. How could you adjust your coverage on this play to see the whole picture, did ya relax thinking it was gonna be a gimme? Were you hedging towards 2B to much in anticipation of a play there?

Good luck and "get em right"..