I did not want to hijack the BR missing Home Plate after a HR thread, so I'm starting this new one here.

When is the proper time for giving the defense a new ball after an over the fence HR? The pitcher usually asks for one right away while the runners are still circling the bases, as they are usually anxious to move on with the game. But I always wait until I've watched all runners attempt to complete their running of the bases, and the BR has passed home.

The reason I bring this up is the aformentioned thread, where the BR fails to touch Home Plate, and if a new ball were put in play, that could lead to some confusion, if the new ball were used to appeal the BR who had not yet entered the team area.

I don't know if there is a specified time (per rule), but I wait until all the base running is done with. You are supposed to be out there watching the runner/s anway, and putting a new ball in play shouldn't take you away from that responsibility.

The protocol that I have been taught, and now teach myself, is the same as JEL stated. Watch the runner(s) touch each of the bases, and when the one who hit the homerun touches home plate, then pull a ball out of the ball bag and give it to the pitcher.

That's the way I was taught. Wait until all runners have
crossed HP, then give new ball to catcher. (I usually
throw it away, bad arm.) :D

Like Glen, I wait for the base running to be completed, then hand a ball to the catcher.

I never throw the ball to the pitcher, just about always hand it to the catcher.

"(I usually throw it away, bad arm.)"

I never throw the ball to the pitcher anymore. Why make a fool of yourself when you have a 16 y.o. athlete (F2) standing right next to you.

Besides, most catchers want you to give the ball to them; they zealously protect that special relationship between them and their pitcher.

WMB

Being a former catcher, I resemble that remark and would further say, they would get jealous.
http://smilies.sofrayt.com/sae/baseball3.gif

Well, technically, I also give to the catcher to give to the pitcher, I was just skipping the middle man, or woman as the case may be, in my reply!

Not trying to hi-jack thread, but can the catcher appeal BR missing home if you hand her the ball before runner gets to the dugout?

Yes she can appeal the runner missing home until the next pitch. now I would have a dead ball appeal so I hope she just touches home or asks me about touching home to appeal it and doesn't follow her all the way to the dugout!!!

The ball is irrelevant to anything that happens DURING a dead-ball period.

So if she misses home plate...
 

...do you wait until she enters the dug out to give the catcher the ball or allow the appeal. I know the ball is irrelevant during a Dead Ball appeal, but if you give the catcher the ball she might think she can appeal at that point.
So do you wait to avoid confusion? If not and she appeals, do you wait until the player is in DBT before honoring the appeal?

I have been instructed by more than one conference coodinator to throw the ball to the pitcher rather than toss it to the catcher. The reason given was that it helps to reenforce the perception that the umpire is in control of the game. It's a small thing, but sometimes perception is reality in the minds of coaches. I also heard one coordinator tell an official it was OK for him to toss it to the catcher because he "threw like a girl".
I have seen some pretty poor throws myself, so I guess each official should have someone evaluate their throwing ability and advise them as to which way is best.

BHBlue

Yes, but you know me, I can't hit the side of a barn if
I was in it. Pitchers get tired of bending over picking
up the ball that I have thrown them. :D

The reason you give the ball to the catcher isn't to avoid embarrassment, though it may just do that. :)

Part of the reason is liability. Unfortunately, some umpires tend to show off their arms with a strong throw. Then there is the possibility that some pitchers just cannot catch or isn't paying attention. The umpire may pop out from behind the plate with a snappy throw only to clock the pitcher. Yes, I have seen this done.

Coaches can "perceive" what they want, it doesn't take a throw to the pitcher to demonstrate that I am in control of the game.

I hope you would agree, Mike, that how an official is perceived can determine how he/she is treated by coaches during a game. At the college level, it may mean the difference between recieving and not receiving assignments. It certainly affects post-season assignments. Rule knowledge, good mechanics, and sound judgement are expected. The little things often separate good officials from great ones.

Furthermore, when a coordinator makes a "suggestion", it is expected to be followed. They, not I, determine "what it takes" to work for them. As a state UIC, would you not expect your officials to follow any directives issued by your office?

I, personally, throw the ball to the pitcher at every level I officiate in order to stay in the habit. That is, unless my UIC tells me not to. ;)

I let the ability level of the pitcher determine the pace of the ball and make sure she is indeed paying attention before I do so. I certainly have no desire to injure any player at any level.

What happens when you are told to throw the ball to the pitcher and it ends up in the outfield? What's the coach's perception going to be then?

I understand what you are saying, but a coach's perception of an umpire is only going to be as good as the last call which affected that coach's team.

I've been involved in coach's evaluations (HS level) of umpires and without knowing or seeing the game, I could determine the outcome of the game EVERY time simply by reading the evaluations.

I've always believed the umpire should handle the ball as little as possible and that includes throwing to the pitcher.

When I give the ball to the catcher, very few people even realize it. If after a HR, I'm inside the diamond following the runner, as the last runner is approaching the plate, I will pull the ball from the bag and once the plate is touched, hand it to the pitcher.

I agree with you Mike.
It's not a problem of ability in throwing the ball or not.
It's just a matter of RESPECT.

Ball belongs to the game and the game belongs to the players, not to me.

You said you handle the ball only if necessary and I think this is the wisest thing an umpire can do on the field.

If I want to PLAY ball, I wait for a game with my friends.

Another thing: I thank you for the suggestion (related to the other post here) about WHEN give the catcher a new ball.

A.

It's not a matter of wanting to play ball. It's about doing what you conference coordinator tells you to do. If you work at that level, you should understand. If not, don't question the "RESPECT" for the game of those who have worked hard and paid the dues to get there.

If your UIC gives you the option of tossing the ball to the catcher, by all means, do what you think is best.

Stated very well. Excellent points for not just this situation but of our duties on the field.

I understand the situation you are in. I think the opinions discussed here on this situation are more about what might the best way to handle this without regard to what is mandated by our local associations. I know how the policies are sometimes dictated by others and our outside our control.

I also go after the batter-runner touches home. Take the ball out of my bag after he touches third, watch him/her touch home then give the ball to the catcher.

I also used to throw the ball back to the pitcher until this one game. First inning I see that the catcher is throwing one-hoppers back the the pitcher. I ask the catcher if he hurt his arm and he says no, the pitcher has a broken bone in his glove hand. So about top of the sixth, batter hits a ball out of play and, you guessed it, I pulled out a ball and fired a strike at the pitcher. he mananged to knock it down with the webbing of the glove and didn't hit his hand, but I quit throwing to pitchers after that.

Speaking strictly NCAA - in most cases after a home run, the catcher is already in the circle with the pitcher. If so, I throw the ball to the pitcher or catcher - whoever is looking for it - after all runners have crossed home plate. If the catcher is still at home plate, I give her the ball and allow her to throw/bring the ball to the pitcher even though Emily wants the PU to throw all balls to the pitcher, not give them to the catcher. Also for NCAA - they want you throwing the ball overhand, not underhand - shows more strength.

Why? You gave the catcher the ball, you know it is legal.
I know, do what the association you are calling wants. I
still can't throw, so don't. Actually tried it last night,
and the second baseperson had to retrieve it. Catcher laughed
and said "blue, better let me to that."

If you can't throw, then I would suggest going out and handing her the ball if the catcher is already in the circle. If not, like I said earlier, I give the catcher the ball also, even though Emily prefers we throw it. Or you could learn to throw with your non dominant hand. Or maybe learn to drop kick

After a home run, I am out in the diamond watching the touch at all bases. I usaully wind up mdway to pitchers plate frome home. When the batter touches home,pitcher and catcher are usually there, so a gentle toss of about 10' or so is all that's needed. Even with my ex-seperated/arthritic shoulder I can still make that toss. Most of the times the catcher is expecting the ball, the pitcher will still be looking towards the outfield....cussin' or something!

Agreed

Now, the NCAA specifically tells us NOT to throw a ball to the pitcher after a ball has been fouled out of play; we are mandated to hand that ball to the catcher. How/why is this different? Yeah, I know Emily is the guru, but isn't some consistency in order?

Please enlighten us as to where you heard or read this "mandate".