Illlegal Pitch Effect

[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

[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?

[AtlUmpSteve]

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).

[CecilOne]

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).

[MD Longhorn]

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

My answer to that is the same as my answer to this:

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.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

My answer to that is the same as my answer to this:

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.

Interference by the on deck batter if she swings at an underhand throw from the pitcher to the catcher or only if she actually hits it? ;-)

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by youngump

Interference by the on deck batter if she swings at an underhand throw from the pitcher to the catcher or only if she actually hits it? ;-)

LOL ... the ODB batter approaching the plate and me making some effort to keep them back might be enough to trigger some action.

I'm still wondering from the OP what the batter was doing all this time.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

LOL ... the ODB batter approaching the plate and me making some effort to keep them back might be enough to trigger some action.

I'm still wondering from the OP what the batter was doing all this time.

Which is why I asked

[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