Proper Mechanics - Infield Fly / 2-Man Crew

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by SoftballGuy247

Finally, is it acceptable for an umpire to only point, and not verbalize the infield fly call?

Am I the only person who saw this? No Umpire Manual in print for softball, be it USA/ASA, NFHS, or even NCAA (2018 not yet in print) describes the umpire signal for an infield fly as a point. Nor do any show an umpire pointing in their signal pics; it is a raised closed fist!! How did this ever become acceptable?

Yet, in a total statement of "I give up", the 2018 NCAA mechanic will now, for the first time since they have published any guidance, be a point. Quite obviously, with that and the new 2 out and timing play signals, we either need more baseball mechanics, or simply are defeated by those that have continued to use baseball mechanics even when they are not the same.

While the umpire manuals state that the PU is responsible to call the infield fly, none of them specifically state, so far as I am aware, that the BU may not signal. Anyone that has umpires for any length of time has had a partner that either 1) lost track of the outs, or 2) forgot the runners' locations, or 3) lost sight of the ball in the sun, or 4) lost sight of the ball in the lights, or 5) didn't judge the infield fly quickly enough, or 6) simply lost it.

In any realistic scale of good/acceptable/bad/worse/horrible, and as related to the ability to survive, only a total moron would believe it is better for the BU to refuse to bail out the crew in an obvious infield fly rule situation when the PU freezes. This is a case where survival mechanics need to kick in; BU should hesitate to allow the PU the opportunity to make the call when the ball is at it's highest point, but if the ball is coming down and still no call on an obvious situation, I will at least raise the closed fist, and if possible make a verbal call, too. The teams deserve the right call in a timely manner; and I can promise you they don't care even one little bit which umpire calls or signals if they get the protection they deserve. This procedure is more right than ever wrong no matter which set of mechanics you are supposed to be using.,

What happens if it isn't called at all, by either? In all but NCAA, the umpires should retroactively apply the infield fly rule as long as the failure to call it is not judgment of routine versus difficult. The BU signal, added to the standard responsibility of both teams to know the situation, even when the umpire err's, is enough to enforce the infield fly rule; the batter is out, the runners' attempts to advance is at their own risk. If both umpires FULLY blow it, retroactively want to apply the rule, and that failure puts either or both teams in jeopardy; well, there's a rule for that, too.

In the NCAA, if the infield fly is not called while the ball is in flight, then it isn't an infield fly. Again, the signal is sufficient to enforce the rule (I have never seen a case where both teams and fans are so silent that you could not say you called it with the signal, but I guess you didn't hear me over everyone else). Coaches are watching, too, not just listening; it is their responsibility to direct their runners, not the umpires' responsibility.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

This is a case where survival mechanics need to kick in; BU should hesitate to allow the PU the opportunity to make the call when the ball is at it's highest point, but if the ball is coming down and still no call on an obvious situation, I will at least raise the closed fist, and if possible make a verbal call, too. The teams deserve the right call in a timely manner; and I can promise you they don't care even one little bit which umpire calls or signals if they get the protection they deserve. This procedure is more right than ever wrong no matter which set of mechanics you are supposed to be using.,

In the bolded "an obvious situation, I will at least raise the closed fist, and if possible make a verbal call, too", by "obvious" do you mean no question of ordinary effort that the PU might judge otherwise?

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

In the bolded "an obvious situation, I will at least raise the closed fist, and if possible make a verbal call, too", by "obvious" do you mean no question of ordinary effort that the PU might judge otherwise?

Correct. I'm referencing a case where judgment isn't an issue, but PU still doesn't call for no obvious reason.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

In any realistic scale of good/acceptable/bad/worse/horrible, and as related to the ability to survive, only a total moron would believe it is better for the BU to refuse to bail out the crew in an obvious infield fly rule situation when the PU freezes. This is a case where survival mechanics need to kick in; BU should hesitate to allow the PU the opportunity to make the call when the ball is at it's highest point, but if the ball is coming down and still no call on an obvious situation, I will at least raise the closed fist, and if possible make a verbal call, too. The teams deserve the right call in a timely manner; and I can promise you they don't care even one little bit which umpire calls or signals if they get the protection they deserve. This procedure is more right than ever wrong no matter which set of mechanics you are supposed to be using.

I don't disagree. But I'm telling ya, I've heard it say in training sessions and on some umpire discussion boards that the language in the book saying it's the PU's call removes any responsibility on the BU's part.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I don't disagree. But I'm telling ya, I've heard it say in training sessions and on some umpire discussion boards that the language in the book saying it's the PU's call removes any responsibility on the BU's part.

Really... the BU is completely absolved from ANY responsibility?

[Tru_in_Blu]

I've had a couple of BUs that incorrectly called an IF. Made for a real cluster both times. Had to fix the messes.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

I've had a couple of BUs that incorrectly called an IF. Made for a real cluster both times. Had to fix the messes.

Some quote about "big bucks".

Seriously, hope those were learning experiences.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I don't disagree. But I'm telling ya, I've heard it say in training sessions and on some umpire discussion boards that the language in the book saying it's the PU's call removes any responsibility on the BU's part.

Why do people have to invent things or excuse their mistakes when it is not in the rule book or manual?

There is no rule book or manual that says the famous 39 myths (sorry, Alfred).
Do we need to add another?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I don't disagree. But I'm telling ya, I've heard it say in training sessions and on some umpire discussion boards that the language in the book saying it's the PU's call removes any responsibility on the BU's part.

And that is as ridiculous as saying a PU cannot make an OBS call on a play at 2B simply because that is the BU's area of responsibility.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And that is as ridiculous as saying a PU cannot make an OBS call on a play at 2B simply because that is the BU's area of responsibility.

I'm in violent agreement. The one that I hear most often about the PU and second base is the Leaving Base Early violation. Yes, that's the BU's responsibility. No, the PU shouldn't mess with it if it's close. But if it's blatant and the BU is in LaLa land, the PU better damn well call it if he/she sees it.

And yet you've got advocates for the PU leaving that one alone because it's tantamount to throwing the BU under the bus, just like a BU calling IFF is doing the same to the PU. Bogus excuse.

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Am I the only person who saw this? No Umpire Manual in print for softball, be it USA/ASA, NFHS, or even NCAA (2018 not yet in print) describes the umpire signal for an infield fly as a point.

NCAA is now a point; that's a change for 2018.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

NCAA is now a point; that's a change for 2018.

I know; that's why I said "not yet in print".