OBR 5.11 is it or is it not

[Boone]

5.11 indicates that two requirements are needed for a ball to be live, F1 has the ball in his possession while on the rubber and PU declares "play."

Now there are times when it becomes live without PU saying "play". Its when he forgets! I worked three 9-inning games yesterday (two by choice and one by favor) and on my second dish of the day I was getting fatigued. At least twice i forgot to put the ball in play. The pitcher pitched, the batter batted and play resumed. Maybe play became live when I thought it!

Not that I recomend it, but it does happen...