While behind the dish yesterday, I had an interesting play happen. With 2 outs and no runners on base, the batter slapped the ball between first and second base. First baseman fields the ball and flips to the second baseman who has her right foot in contact with the orange bag and the other foot not touching a base. The fielder had her foot set on the orange and therefore the throw did not cause her to use the orange bag.

The base umpire made a slight hesitation and then a very weak safe call without any verbal. Now, here's my dilemma. Most of the defensive players have left the field or are almost to the dugout before the base umpire made the safe call. As soon as he realizes she's safe, the first base coach hollers "GO, GO, GO."

I immediately killed the play, basically because I did not want all hell to break loose. I explained to the defensive coach that the fielder did not touch first base properly and therefore the runner was safe.

The offensive coach did not complain at all.

Now, what would you have done?

I would have been glad I wasn't on the field with you Matt. No it sounds like what you did was justified, I would put it under the team was in jeopordy based on the weak call by the official thus you removed the opportunity for the team to be penalized. Sounds logical to me.

A slight hesitation before the call? Those must be some really quick kids to be almost in the dugout that quickly.

Sounds like your partner wasn't real sure what to call and failed to give a verbal 'safe' call BUT he did indicate SAFE using the proper mechanic didn't he?

Why would the defense leave the field prior to the final out being declared? Bad coaching I guess. The coach(es) should have been paying closer attention to the game.

I wouldn't have punished the offense for a defensive mistake? It would have taught the coaches a valuable lesson. Remember "it ain't nothing until we call it". The defensive team's coach should have been watching the game, sounds like the other coach was!

Good call, but why no verbal?

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Now, here's my dilemma. Most of the defensive players have left the field or are almost to the dugout before the base umpire made the safe call. As soon as he realizes she's safe, the first base coach hollers "GO, GO, GO."

Though a little slow, heads-up coaching.

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I immediately killed the play, basically because I did not want all hell to break loose.

Not having been there, don't know what I would have done. I would like to believe I would have let play continue since I haven't seen a third out. It's easier to move them back after the fact than to explain why you did not let the play proceed.

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I explained to the defensive coach that the fielder did not touch first base properly and therefore the runner was safe.

Maybe you should have let the umpire who owned the call explain that one, while you talked to the offensive coach.

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The offensive coach did not complain at all. Now, what would you have done?

Have a nice post game discussion with your partner. I would think that should have been a big "sell" call.

Unless this was a rookie in his first game that you were protecting, you should have let HIM decide if his call was weak enough to warrant killing the play. I don't think I would have killed this play at all. (And I share the wonder at these speedsters managing to bolt the field and near the dugout during a "slight hesitation".)