I had a discussion with my brother about a game he had where after the next pitch and where the appeal was no longer applicable he mentioned to the defensive player that the runner missed the base (Funny thing is he said it happened again the next inning against the same player and she didn’t appeal that one either). He talks a lot to the players and coaches and says he does it anytime the situation arises but always waits and does it after the appeal is no longer available to the defensive player. I told him I always keep my mouth shut the whole time. What say you?

I suppose agegroup would come into play here. If it was 12U or less, I'd probably see no problem in an umpire helping them learn by saying something, especially if they can do so without defense hearing. Seems like by 14U or higher, they should know already.

He does it in a joking type way as in "Why didn't you appeal that runner missing the base? Too late now!" type of thing.

What age?

Seems that informing the defense that they should watch such things is a little more unfair than informing the runners that they should be careful to touch the bases.

(But... I can't really decide why I feel that way! :) )

I say nothing. Even at 14-17 ages they don't know how to make an appeal. But then again I do Rec. ball not School level.

If anyone, I'm saying something privately to a member of the offense. This way they know that I know the rule and am watching them.

I usually say nothing.

I've had times when I have said something to the offending runner later on - as in "so how much DID you miss that base by, looked like about 3 inches to me." I won't say anything to the defense - no sense illustrating how dumb they can be. And the missed base is something that amazes me every time it happens and nobody makes the appeal!!!!! Someday, when one of these wizard coaches is whining about not getting a banger or whatever, I may just ask the wizard why he hasn't taught his infielders & bench to watch every base being touched. But then again - if I did that, I'd probably get labelled as some obnoxious umpire....

Once coaching I appealed on a missed base (we tagged 3B before appeal) and was denied. I was in the 3B dugout and the OP head coach was 3B coach. After the ump (working alone and not very good) said safe... I appealed to him (not with ump or really serious, just goofing around) "On your honor and integrity was she safe or out" .. he said "safe" .. we had a good laugh about it. The girl missed that base by a mile and he knew it. Softball is funnest when its fun.

[Edited by wadeintothem on May 19th, 2004 at 04:13 PM]