Saw something on TV that Made Me Think!

[blu_bawls]

[QUOTE=Dakota]A live ball appeal by its nature must many times be made quickly with the defense concentrating on making the play, not communicating with the umpire.

EXACTLY. So once the cathcer realizes that the base runner has missed the plate she can either touch the base OR tag the runner. Same thing and there is no requirement to communicate with the umpire because the umpire should understand the catchers intent because of experience, knowledge, and understanding of the game.

[SRW]

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by SRW

Especially when he only listens (apparently) to half of what you say.

[blu_bawls]

I have listened to what you have said and I don't agree with you.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by blu_bawls

I have listened to what you have said and I don't agree with you.

You keep insisting there is no need for any communication with the umpire, yet you refuse to address any of the situations where communication is required.

No one here said communication is always required, but as near as I can tell, you are the only one who keeps insisting that communication is never required, only intent.

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by Dakota

You keep insisting there is no need for any communication with the umpire, yet you refuse to address any of the situations where communication is required.

No one here said communication is always required, but as near as I can tell, you are the only one who keeps insisting that communication is never required, only intent.

I have heard this adage at most of the umpire clinics I have attended: "NEVER guess an out!" If I don't know what they want, I don't want to guess.

While I agree that I can 'understand' what a fielder is attempting to communicate without speaking, I may consider asking a clarifying question (if there is time, IF I believe that an appeal is taking place, and if they players are generally younger than 16U - I expect more from older players)in order to understand completely what the fielder is trying to communicate.

If I don't know that the fielder is trying to communicate an appeal to me, I don't have a call. They are going to have to 'sell' to me that they want something. This will mean vocalization.

Maybe right. Maybe wrong. But it is what I'm doing now. I'm always open to change if there is a better mousetrap.

[blu_bawls]

Body language is communication and if I read it (and not guess it) I am calling the out.

Dakota...again you are the one to lose focus. In this situation as described at the beginning of the thread it was asked if an appeal could be made by intentionally stepping on the plate without verbally communicating with the umpire.

My answer is yes.

If i see the baserunner miss the plate and I see the catcher re-act to that fact also and he either tags the runner of intentionally steps on the plate...an out will be called.