Need a call

[Roger Greene]

Don,
Re: OBR.(This is not a softball ruling)

All defensive players (except catcher) must be in fair territory at the TOP. The definititon of in fair territory is any part of body in fair territory. The umpire is not to put the ball in play untill this requirement is met.

As I understand the ruling, if the umpire mistakenly gives the pitcher the signal to play/pitch and then discovers that the requirement was not met, then the ball was not lawfully put in play, and therefor we have what is commonly called a "do over".

In reality the play "never happened" and the umpire fouled up.

Roger Greene,
Member UT