Illlegal Pitch Effect

[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.

[UmpireErnie]

Had one in a HS JV game couple years back. Home batting with two outs and runners on 2B and 3B. Ball hit up 3B line. R1 on 3B starts home on contact. F5 fields ball and I signal fair ball. F5 excitedly throws in the general direction of F2 in an ill fated attempt to retire R1. R2 who has advanced from 2B to 3B sees the ball sail over F2s head as R1 scores easily. R2 continues around 3B and heads home. The home crowd goes wild (they haven't had much to cheer about so far so they are pretty amped) as F2 retrieves the ball and throws it about ten feet over F1s head who, to her credit, did try to cover home.

At the end of all of this the BR (who somehow thought this all happened on a foul ball) (Hey, I said it was JV!) who had been standing near home the entire time watching the play picked up her bat and got back in the batter's box. The defense got back in position and F2 stood in the circle with the ball looking at me.

I stood off a good ten feet down third base line and in foul ground. My partner had ended up in a position to make a call at 1B on the BR and he just stood where he ended up. Appearantly we were the only two in the ballpark who realized the play was not over.

And we stood there.

Finally the home coach called out from the dugout "What are we waiting for blue?" I said, loudly enough for both teams to hear "We're waiting for the play to be over." Home coach (obviously confused): "What do you mean?" Me: "Well, coach, the batter hit a fair ball and hasn't reached first or been put out yet." And I continued to stand there.

After about two beats the light bulb went on over the defensive coach's head and he yelled to F1 to throw the ball to 1B. Out. Third out too by the BR failing to reach 1B safely. Home was not too pleased when I had to tell them no runs scored.

[MD Longhorn]

So you aided the defense. Bad move.

You should have stood there and done nothing. Talking to the offensive coach during the play and the defense overhearing your explanation directly affected the play and aided the defense.

Next time, do nothing. At MOST, continue to point fair, but this late in the play even that might be aiding one team over the other.