Sitch - Adult Mens Class B Slow Pitch...I'm only ump...R1 on 2nd, R2 on 1st, 1 out, Batter hits ball to F4 that short hops into glove (I make safe signal)...F4 runs over tags R1 and steps on 2B (I make out signal, Say Out and Out) ...Double play...

Offensive coach goes berzerk...How were his players supposed to know to run when I didn't say 'Safe' or 'No Catch' on the short-hopped ball?...I told him I made the safe signal and don't verbalize anything but 'Out' in that situation.

Was I wrong? Should I have yelled Safe or No Catch?

I do say "trap", but others will tell you I am doing it wrong

It is THEIR problem if they don't know enough that they keep running until somebody says FOUL or OUT.....

It is acceptable, and probably desirable to verbalize in this play; I would use "no catch".

How were his players supposed to know? What was this offensive coach doing at the time? Isn't that why they have base coaches, to tell the runners when to run?

Just make sure that whatever you use doesn't sound like any other call you make. I'm with Stever, usually state "no catch" basically because it is two words that do not sound like anything else I call.

Sounds like if the shortstop was short-hopped, it wouldn't have mattered WHAT you said, they were going to have a double play anyway.

Another case of blaming the umpire for a team's misfortunes.

My take is simple: Be very clear if you verbalize a call such as "safe" or "no catch" during the situation described. "No catch" could sound like "catch" when verbalized along with all the noise of the game. I tend to say "NO" when a ball is not caught during a play as you mention.
Coaches will sometimes try to shift their lack or responsibility or situation knowledge toward the umpire, which I think is "goofy". The runners have a responsibility to know the situation and adjust accordingly. When I played high school baseball, I was always taught to run until you hear "foul" or even "out" depending on the situation.

I would be against using a verbal call in this situation. Players and coaches may only hear the "catch" part of "NO catch". If you yell out "SAFE" before F6 throws the ball, the players may wonder what you're talking about.

Either way...you will probably get some grief, but I think a non-verbal signal is the way to go here.

I don't believe "SAFE" is an appropriate call. The runners and BR are still in jeopardy and a force situation. No one is yet safe.

It is important to be and I am quite clear. Two words, "NO" & "CATCH".

Not a word
 

Don't say anything in this situation. Just like you don't say "fair ball", you point fair and only verbalize if it is foul. Don't give them any opportunity to tell you that they thought you said one thing, when you actually said the opposite. Also, the players and coaches need keep their heads in the game, and be paying attention. Verbalizing a call in this situation, and others (touched flyball, etc.) can potentially give one team an advantage over the other.

ASA rule 10-7-M. Trapped ball call and signal "Safe"

So it does say that. I still wouldn't say "no catch" thought, and probably won't say "safe" either until someone tells me to.

I stand corrected. Don't agree with it, but that is what the book states.

You know Mike, that many mamebers of the NUS are advocating to call it the way you said it before, maybe that is where you got the idea.
I know I have heard Henry and Merle (in the past) and other members of the staff say it your way.
I know I had changed to it a few years back.

It is unfortunate that they don't always have the time to cover every inch of the book and changes are made at the instructional level, but not the book. Present administration states there will be an attempt to rectify that situation and I have no reason not to believe it will happen.

No, but not no catch!
 

Given that close games between better teams often are soo loud (at least around here) that it can be hard for anything to be heard, "No Catch" can too easily be heard as just "Catch".

Just like calling strikes, foul balls, outs (which you don't have with a no-catch), if you don't call it, its because you don't have it!

Re: No, but not no catch!
 

Not only do I understand, but agree with this. If I could do it and get away with it, I would be a happy camper.

However (bet you knew that was coming), when there is a possible trap both teams believe that what they needed occured. If you make no call at all, and as you noted everything is so loud, the defense will most likely play the ball as a catch while the offense is playing it as a hit.

I'll stick with my "NO" & "CATCH". I may even say "NO" twice and with my calls, they are going to hear me. It works, gets the job done and on top of that, shows a measure of decisiveness an umpire needs to sell what at least one team is going to believe to be a questionable call.