Base Runner Asking for Time

[Stair-Climber]

I understand that time shouldn't be called until all action has stopped. Remember in my scenarion, I said that there was only one base runner on bases. If lone runner safely slides into 3B and is lying on her back on top of the base with F6 standing over her, nothing else is going to happen except maybe F6 trying to nudge runner off base when she attempts to stand up. In future, I will wait for someone on defense to control ball before granting time to runner; however, I will not necessarily wait until ball gets back to F1 in circle. Again, when runner asks for and receives time in this situation, she is only hurting herself by taking away her opportunity to go home if there is an overthrow to the base or to the pitcher. By granting time to runner, the defense is not being hurt or put at a disadvantage, well except for a possible cheap tag out if runner takes foot off base while trying to stand up after slide.

Also, I have noticed a significant increase this year from last year in coaches instructing runners to immediately call time as soon as they safely slide into base. I believe that many coaches believe that umps have to call time when runner asks for it.

[Edited by Stair-Climber on Jun 14th, 2005 at 03:24 PM]

[mick]

Originally posted by Stair-Climber
Also, I have noticed a significant increase this year from last year in coaches instructing runners to immediately call time as soon as they safely slide into base. I believe that many coaches believe that umps have to call time when runner asks for it.

Stair-Climber,
My guess is that the coaches instruct it, and that the coaches may believe it, because they are getting that call.
mick

[Dakota]

Stair-climber,

Just to clarify, my response was to the situation of a runner, on the ground, holding onto or lying on the base while a fielder holds a tag on the runner. The only "play" going on there is the fielder attempting to force the runner off the base. If play has ceased and the runner requests time in this situation, I grant it.

In your situation, you should wait until play has ceased. Just because the runner is only hurting themselves by asking for time while the defense is chasing down an overthrow, does not mean you should grant it. Live ball play is still on-going. You should not grant time. There is no urgency at any time for granting time. Make sure of the situation first.

[streamdoc]

Funny thing - last night I had a coach requesting time while his own runner was still making her way into 3rd. No play was being made on her, and the pitcher had the ball in the circle. I waited until she reached 3rd, then called TIME. The funny thing is that the coach must have thought I was either deaf (PC = hearing impaired), or ignoring him because he must have made his request at least 6 times.

[mcrowder]

Give a coach like that the hand. Tells him that you heard him, and tells him he must wait.

[mick]

Originally posted by streamdoc
Funny thing - last night I had a coach requesting time while his own runner was still making her way into 3rd. No play was being made on her, and the pitcher had the ball in the circle. I waited until she reached 3rd, then called TIME. The funny thing is that the coach must have thought I was either deaf (PC = hearing impaired), or ignoring him because he must have made his request at least 6 times.

Apology for "off sport" topic, but streamdoc's post made me do it.

Few seconds left. Team B down by two with point guard dribbling into the lane.
Coach B requests time-out just before point guard scored.

Time-out granted and coach set up play with 1.2 seconds left. Miss. Game over.

mick

[whiskers_ump]

You're the moderator, you can add whatever, whenever, whyever, cause you're
DA M A N.

[mick]

Originally posted by whiskers_ump
You're the moderator, you can add whatever, whenever, whyever, cause you're
DA M A N.

Ouch!

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally posted by Stair-Climber
Also, I have noticed a significant increase this year from last year in coaches instructing runners to immediately call time as soon as they safely slide into base. I believe that many coaches believe that umps have to call time when runner asks for it.

I do not grant time unless I see a reason to grant it; a runner who can stand up without challenge, and dust herself off without any issue is not a reason to call time. A fielder who doesn't wish to throw the ball to the pitcher in the circle is not a reason (unless the ball is obviously wet). A coach wanting his players to do either of the above is not a valid reason. I will tell a player or a coach "no" to a request for time when I see no valid reason fo it; fastpitch isn't baseball or slow pitch, and killing the play without reason just isn't part of that game. If a coach requests time, he better have a valid reason, be making a substitution, or have a charged conference left. When a coach tells me "that's what we teach them to do", my response is "you better teach them something else".

A player prone on the ground and a fielder who won't take off the tag and end the play properly is a valid reason to call time. Wheb done properly, timely,and with obvious distain, most players learn not to hold the tag to that ridiculous end. A wet or unplayable ball is a valid reason; a dislodged base is a valid reason.

[Edited by AtlUmpSteve on Jun 14th, 2005 at 11:42 PM]

[bluezebra]

Originally posted by orioles35
I don't know...if a baserunner is erect on a base, I think we have a different problem...

Especially if it's a women's game.

Bob

[officialtony]

The original post offers an interesting question to me.
If BU grants time while the ball is still rolling and then the ball rolls into dead ball territory, are we awarding any base(s) for the overthrow into dead ball territory? Can it be a DBT award if time was already granted BEFORE the ball went into DBT. I would like to hear the opinions on this.
( Hope this is not considered thread hijacking since it WAS the poster's question ).

In answer to the original post, . . . . .
yes, you granted time too soon. I always look around and evaluate the capability of an additional play to occur before granting time to a runner who wants to brush off the dirt from the slide, adjust clothing, etc. Just because they request it, does not mean we have to grant it.

[mcrowder]

Anything that happens after you, for whatever reason, prematurely call time is irrelevant. It didn't happen. A live ball did not enter DBT - it was a DEAD ball entering DBT. No award.

[officialtony]

mc,
thanks.
Kinda confirms what I thought was the case, but stranger things have happened.
I felt once time was called, the ball was already dead and anything after that was inconsequential ( talking about the ball finally ending up in DBT as a result of the throw ).
Appreciate the feedback.