Drop Third, Turn and Meet Mr Coach

[WestMichBlue]

" I have 17 years under the belt and didn't just pull the answer out of my ASA cap!"

Not sure then where you did get your answer from, but I don't agree. Yes, you do not appeal to your partner, but not because he/she is in "C." You don't do because you will put a batter is jepordy on a dropped third strike that is called a ball by the plate ump.

I had this same thing happen to me this spring; 2 strikes on batter and pitcher throws a change that barely makes the plate and heads for the basement. Batter starts to swing, pulls back, and ball bounces off plate past catcher. I studied it for a long time, until I was positive in my mind that she did not swing, and announced a very loud and emphatic "BALL!" I was selling it, and didn't want any questions.

Didn't work; coach asked for appeal. I ignored her. That didn't work either because she asked for time, and directly asked me to appeal. At that point I should have said: "No, Coach, I made the call and I am going to stay with it. Your catcher missed the ball, and had I called a strike the batter would be standing on 1B right now. At this point I am not going to allow the call to be changed to a strike and have the batter put on the bench. That would not be fair to her. Call stands."

OK, that is what I will say now, and in the future, when it happens again. But that day, I pointed to my partner and watched in dismay as he raised the hammer. I was so P.O'd that I wanted to run down the baseline and strangle him, but it was my mistake. I should have never given him the chance to screw me up.

WMB




[Edited by WestMichBlue on Jul 20th, 2004 at 01:08 AM]