Live or dead?

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Even if this was slow pitch (despite the 2 umpires), this ball is on the ground, in no one's possession. NO CHANCE do you call dead ball at this point, even in slow pitch.

You are correct, one should not call the ball dead at this point in either slow pitch or fast pitch. I did not advocate for the correctness of the calling, merely adding some information that I think was lacking.

My point is that umpires who only work slow pitch are sometimes prone to pull the "time" trigger a bit too soon.

That's why I train slow pitch umpires to wait until the pitcher has the ball and all action has ceased to call time. A big problem can arise with calling time and the runner only touched the white bag on a play at first. Calling time prior to the runner returning to first can prevent the defense from making the appeal. Likewise, always calling time prior to the runner getting back to the base and then not calling time on a play tips to the defense that the runner missed the colored portion. Both are bad mechanics.

Like all umpire training, consistency in timing and understanding the rules are vital.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BlueDevilRef

What is odd about it is I live in/suburb of Springfield, Mo where ASA HOF is and we still don't have two umps in SP

Maybe the Missouri HOF, but ASA HOF is in OKC. But from what I understand, ASA is not the strong SP game in that area either