"Leaving Early" (pitch) to pull up socks

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Still no call, if clearly not for taking a lead. Probably call time, in line with the player's probable thiinking. Don't say no mind-reading. The player is visibly doing something that has nothing to do with the game. Similar to noticing that two players are about to switch helmets and calling time to prevent a helmet violation.

Agree with the preventive umpiring measure of just calling time if you see this.

However, I don't believe the umpire who made the call against UCLA a few years back took any grief. If I remember correctly, Enquist seemed more frustrated with the player than angry at the umpire.

Reason you kill the play is that even though the move may look innocent, at what point do you determine it is okay and not a ploy trying to get a slight jump?

[UmpireErnie]

Sounds like good old fashion judgment call time to me. If F1, F2, the batter, and I are all ready and in position and a runner is not paying attention and takes a step off base I doubt I will guess why she did it I will just ring her up. Not a cheap out; this player did not have her head in the game and it cost her, same as any other base running error.

If the ball is being held in the circle but we are not ready for the next pitch and a runner who is obviously not leading off, not gaining an advantage looses contact with the base I am not going to see it. She might even take a step away from the base, maybe adjusting sliding pants or handing a batting glove to a coach or whatever. IMO this would be your textbook example of a cheap out.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Agree with the preventive umpiring measure of just calling time if you see this.

However, I don't believe the umpire who made the call against UCLA a few years back took any grief. If I remember correctly, Enquist seemed more frustrated with the player than angry at the umpire.

Reason you kill the play is that even though the move may look innocent, at what point do you determine it is okay and not a ploy trying to get a slight jump?

Which is why I included "if clearly not for taking a lead".

[Blu_IN]

I coach once a year at a festival for a team that my wife and I put together for kicks. One of the umpires called my player out for temporarily leaving the base prior to release. He said that as she rocked back her foot lost contact with the base.

I about lost it and it took everything in me not to get chucked from that game. My father-in-law on the other hand, got chucked the next inning when telling me about what BU said. The rabbit ears plate ump (he was using a 12 inch voice), whom was apparently shacking up with the BU, apparently thought he needed to go.

Blu