Putting ball into play

[chris s]

O.K., after reading one of Carl's POTD's on Eteamz concerning factors of when to put ball into play. I agree that certain criteria be met according to structure of rules.
Here's the sit, MSBL game a few weeks ago. R1 batter fouls ball off. I toss a ball to F1. He does a little rub a dub then engages rubber, quickly steps off and tries to hose R1, I quickly come around F2 and yell"ball is still dead".
Now defensive manager is bitchin that the ball is alive when F1 engages rubber, I sez " not till I put it into play".
After game this guy is still hot about it, they had R1 dead to rights, but R1 had not retouched(or close enoughed)the bag. after explaining that certain criteria be met to keep one team from gaining an unfair advantage, skipper"s light bulb came on.
What really amazes me is that we have quite a few former pro players, college standouts etc that play this league, amazing idiots!

[GarthB]

You are not so much the victim of unknowing ball players and coaches as much as you are of unknowing umpires. If every umpire enforced deadball/liveball action the team would have known better.

Many umpires follow the practice the coach whined about, the pitcher makes the ball alive when he touches the rubber. In fact, in some areas and/or associations, it is the acceptable practice.

Very few umpires actually put the ball in play after each and every deadball situation. After playing games under those conditions, teams get used to those procedures.

I am one of those who insists on putting the ball in play after every single deadball. I cover that in my plate conference with the coaches so I get very few complaints when negating action that took place during a deadball.

[PeteBooth]

Garth good advice. Putting the Ball in play after dead ball also alerts your partner as well. The PU as well as the BU have to be on the same page. Nothing like not being prepared when the defense is making a play on say r1.


I think umpires get lazy in doing this. Even if there is no-one on base it is best to point and say play after each and every dead ball situation to get oneself into a good habit.

In fact, this is probably one of the first things taught to me when attending clinics - put ball back in play after every dead ball.

Lets face it the offense or defense will take every advanatage if we let them.

Pete Booth

[chris s]

SNIP

Many umpires follow the practice the coach whined about, the pitcher makes the ball alive when he touches the rubber. In fact, in some areas and/or associations, it is the acceptable practice.

Now the above practice, IMHO, is just asking for a craphouse. Look at r1, who knows ball is dead, ties his shoe off of the bag. F1 does a quicky and nails him.Either call the ump may make is suicide, someone is gonna bark. I am with you on making the ball live each and every time. It may get a bit redundant, but it beats the heat.

[BJ Moose]

This is a good example of "rule book knowledge" vs conventional veteran umpire knowledge. (A mechanic that I only really learned THIS year.)

Yes, a "rulebookzealot" umpire CAN put the ball in play as soon as pitcher toes rubber with ball.. that's what book says. There is no mention of the status of the batter. I used to ignore batter an point this ball in play. But this is a form of umpire self torture.

I think NAPBL backs this up... WAIT for the batter to get set in box... THEN put ball in play (and of course PUT the ball in play, point or point and announce).

Associations that allow this "quickplay" need to learn and teach proper mechanics.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chris s:

He does a little rub a dub then engages rubber, quickly steps off and tries to hose R1, I quickly come around F2 and yell"ball is still dead".

[PeteBooth]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BJ Moose:
[B]This is a good example of "rule book knowledge" vs conventional veteran umpire knowledge. (A mechanic that I only really learned THIS year.)

Yes, a "rulebookzealot" umpire CAN put the ball in play as soon as pitcher toes rubber with ball.. that's what book says.

Moose nice to see ya on this Board - BTW how's Seattle. I would love to see them make it to the playoffs without Griffy.

As far as the rules governing when the ball is officially "alive" check out the FED Board on Eteamz. Papa C gives one the answers using NCAA / FED and OBR as to when the ball is "officially" live again.


Pete Booth