"Selling" Safe Call on Missed Bag during DP

[CT1]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Exposure to a runner has nothing to do with anything.

Absolutely it does. It's the reason the pros started allowing the "neighborhood play" in the first place.

[johnnyg08]

It sounds like you did everything you needed to do to sell your safe call. Missing the base by the distances you've described is not the neighborhood play.

[EsqUmp]

The only thing that I would add/modify is this: when justifying a call that may be contrary to what some people think is going to be the call, justify it first, then signal safe. In other words, "Off the base, safe" or "Pulled foot, safe."

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Rich

Those days are long over at every level I work, including NCAA baseball.

Sorry Rich, I've been calling it my whole career (at every level, as you) and until I am told other wise, I will continue. I have never, never had an argument with a coach or a gig from an evaluator or assigner for calling the neighborhood play. Of course, I do not call as we did in the 70's (5 feet away), the fielder has to be able to have been close enough to have touched the bag if he were a masochist. Add to this any runner I have called out was already walking back to the bench, not giving it a 2nd thought.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by David B

Rich,

I agree he's where he's supposed to be, but I don't agree that from that same position he can't see the slide at second base. In his comments he basically said he wasn't watching the play - that is what I have issue with.

Thanks
David

If I'm the PU in a 3-man, I'm not even looking at the play at second. I'm following the BR, getting to the 45-foot line, and anticipating a reason to umpire.

With a U2/U3 there, there's NO WAY I'd EVER come in with an interference call, so why would I look?

[lawump]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

The only thing that I would add/modify is this: when justifying a call that may be contrary to what some people think is going to be the call, justify it first, then signal safe. In other words, "Off the base, safe" or "Pulled foot, safe."

The proper MiLB mechanic is "Safe! Safe! You're off the base!" (in that order).

If you are working in a 2-man crew, you have absolutely NO chance of doing it the way you state (unless, of course, you don't care about the play at first base.)