I had two instances in a 10U girls slowpitch tournament game last friday that I would like some help on please. FYI, I am a rookie umpire and, due to someone's scheduling problems, I had to work this game solo. The game went fine but I question myself on two scenarios:

1. runner on third, batter hits grounder to F1. F1 takes a step to throw to F3 and realizeds runner from third is going home. She takes off and tags runner with ball(and hand) in glove. F1's momentum then takes her down to the ground where the balls pops out of her glove? I am within five feet of the play and it seems clear that F1 had control of the ball at the time of the tag.

I had an out?

2. batter hits a short and low fly ball to F4. F4 makes a shoestring catch(which I see from about 15 feet away as I am running out toward first base). F4, very quickly and before I can signal or sound my call, goes to throw the runner out at first and in transfering from glove to hand drops the ball.

Again, I had an out?

Help please on these two scenarios.

Thanks, Tchaap

1. It was clear (you said) she had control at time of tag, I would say OUT also. This one might be a HTBT.

2. Here you saw a catch, and drop on the transfer, I again have an OUT. This one isn' a HTBT

Thanks for your reply. What is HTBT please?

HTBT = Had to Be There