A Few Questions

[AtlUmpSteve]

I considered that before responding. Most base awards are (at least in the mind of players) a judgment by an umpire; what was the position of the runner, what rule is being applied, was the hit batter making an attempt to avoid. Even then, I don't point on awards; if I say "dead ball, first base" on a HBP, I expect the BR to know where first base is located. On an overthrow into dead ball territory, I will kill the ball, allow any running responsibilities (if any) to be completed, and announce the base award; I don't point to 2B, 3B, or home (runner, you are awarded home, I assume you know where that is). Also, all other base awards that I can think of occur during (or as a result of) a dead ball, so your announcement affects nothing beyond the award.

On a walk, there are no alternates that can be applied; once you announce ball four, the batter is awarded first, and only first, and runners forced to advance do so. Ball is alive, so subsequent plays can occur, players may (claim to) misunderstand you. I see that as getting awfully close to a topic you speak against often, Mike; you are close to coaching, and there MAY some play in the mind of an offensive coach that you are getting involved in (LBR doesn't yet apply, etc.).