Illlegal Pitch Effect
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 |
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The ball is live, and some play must be made. The LBR does not apply, even though the pitcher has the ball in the circle, because we have a batter-runner who has not yet reached first base. Any call made until this live play has ended would be wrong, and place someone in jeopardy.
Stand out away from the plate and point fair; and continue to point fair until play has ended under the rules (not just because they aren't making a play). Let the resultant fustercluck end, then, assuming the defense finally secures an out, give the offense an option of the result of the play, or the penalty for the illegal pitch (again, something you cannot do if you don't let the play conclude appropriately). |
After almost a minute, we ended up as dead ball, applied the IP penalty.
Mostly wrong as Steve said (something you cannot do if you don't let the play conclude appropriately). |
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Bases loaded, grounder hit by batter to F5. F5 fields the ball, stands holding it, runners hold Eventually, F5 throws ball to pitcher. I do nothing. I'm in position to make my call. Someone will figure it out. Even if this means a minute has gone by. SOMEONE will figure it out. It's not my job to remind one side or the other. |
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I'm still wondering from the OP what the batter was doing all this time. |
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Basically nothing, a few steps toward 1st; then stopped when she saw everyone else. |
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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. |
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? |
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Of course ... if it's up the middle, I'd be wondering what you were pointing at. :) |
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. |
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