Illlegal Pitch Effect

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Bases loaded, illegal pitch, grounder hit by batter to F5.
F5 fields the ball, stands holding it, runners hold (apparently all reacting to the IP call).
Eventually, F5 throws ball to pitcher.

What do you do?
1) Decide the play is over and call dead ball
2) Wait a moment to see if runners move or F5 throws
3) Wait indefinitely until a play happens

What action, if any, did the BR take?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

What action, if any, did the BR take?

Sorry, I thought I answered.

Basically nothing, a few steps toward 1st; then stopped when she saw everyone else.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Sorry, I thought I answered.

Basically nothing, a few steps toward 1st; then stopped when she saw everyone else.

I'm with Steve on this. The reason I asked about the BR is that if she continued to and touched 1st base, there is a precedent for handling such a situation should it become obvious that the defense just wasn't going to make a play. Then again, the BR going to first SHOULD be a indication to both teams that a play is necessary especially with the PU stepping out and point "fair".

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I'm with Steve on this. The reason I asked about the BR is that if she continued to and touched 1st base, there is a precedent for handling such a situation should it become obvious that the defense just wasn't going to make a play. Then again, the BR going to first SHOULD be a indication to both teams that a play is necessary especially with the PU stepping out and point "fair".

That... and also, if the BR heads to the dugout and everyone stays on a base, you have a solution there too.

With her hanging out 4 steps from the plate ... you really just have to wait. If that hit was anywhere near the line, holding your arm out for FAIR can help.

[jmkupka]

What if the grounder went straight up the middle, fielded by F4? Pointing "fair", while looking weird, might still be the only way to signal "we still have a play going on here"...

Would that be too much like coaching?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

What if the grounder went straight up the middle, fielded by F4? Pointing "fair", while looking weird, might still be the only way to signal "we still have a play going on here"...

Would that be too much like coaching?

That's kind of borderline... if you didn't do it when it was initially hit... then yeah, it's probably a bit across the line. That said, I doubt I'd fault an umpire for doing that in a case like this.

Of course ... if it's up the middle, I'd be wondering what you were pointing at.

[josephrt1]

I had a situation in a rec game, maybe 12U a few years back. Runner going from 2nd to 3rd behind the fielders. Ball gets by SS and hits runner and goes past 3rd base line. I have live ball but some parent sitting behind home plate yells, really yells, Dead Ball. She's out!. Everyone thought I said it. Everyone stopped. After recovering (me) from the shock, I clearly said live ball. Runner then got to 3rd and someone retrieved the ball. Then play stopped. Defensive coach immediately came out so I called both coaches and gave them an explanation (runner behind the fielders and no chance of an out) and went and talked to the parent with the coach.

But higher levels, I hope i would have just given the safe sign and stayed quiet and waited in position to make a call.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

What if the grounder went straight up the middle, fielded by F4? Pointing "fair", while looking weird, might still be the only way to signal "we still have a play going on here"...

Would that be too much like coaching?

You point fair. Don't see any way this could be considered coaching

[CecilOne]

I'm glad I posted this, even though I mishandled the play.

The clear responses, side issues and alternate possibilities made this a well done, informative discussion.