"Ballgame!"

[Skahtboi]

I am just wondering, after reading the other thread where this became an issue, how many of you utter these words, or words to this effect, to indicate the end of the ballgame? I see absolutely no point in it.

As a matter of fact, just yesterday, at the conclusion of my first game of the day(I was PU), I walked over and began to gather up my water bottle and ice chest with cold towels in itm and began to head to the winning dugout to exit the field with my partner. My partner, coming in from the field said to me, "That's ballgame, partner." I replied, "Yes, it is." He then asked if I was going to verbally indictate that. I pointed to the girls, who had already lined up and begun their "good games" with each other, and stated, "Why? They already seem to know it."

It made me wonder then, and after reading that other thread today, just where did this custom arise? It isn't in any of the umpire manuals, other than the already mentioned NCAA. (Even at college games, though, I never say it.) I just see no point to it.

[IRISHMAFIA]

That's why I always wondered by umpires routinely check with scorekeepers for the score and inning. Unless the run rule comes into effect, the winning team will tell you when its over

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

That's why I always wondered by umpires routinely check with scorekeepers for the score and inning. Unless the run rule comes into effect, the winning team will tell you when its over

With mommy / daddy scorekeepers for each team, and no official scorekeepers, it is necessary to keep both books in sync to avoid the likely chaos. Call it "preventative scorekeeping".

[Dakota]

I'll verbally state that the game is over due to time expired (for timed games).

I'll verbally state "game" or something similar if one coach "tosses in the towel" so to speak.

But for a game that goes through 6 1/2 or 7 innings and naturally ends, the final OUT is all that is necessary to call. If the home teams scores the winning run in the bottom of the 7th, I'll confirm with the scorekeeper.

[tcblue13]

I don't know why, but I say it when the game ends by mercy rule but not when it concludes normally. Just something I picked up somewhere

[CelticNHBlue]

The only situation I have used this mechanic is when a game ends prior to the final out of the inning and all players are not aware that the game is over. In this sole case, when the play may continue after the final run has scored and I am certain that all runners have met their responisibilities to insure there can be no appeals that could otherwise change the outcome, do I make any game concluding remark or signal. In this case, it is for the safety of the players that the play not continue at the risk of an injury. I will typically declare, "That's game ladies/gentlemen" (don't laugh, the terms are only meant to be identifying, not necessarily accurate) and give the dead ball signal to bring an end to all actions. Other than that, I wait until they stop coming back onto the field, then I meet my partner and exit quietly.

[OklahomaBlue]

I do and I don't know why... Point taken...

Along those same lines, why do umpires call a foul, "foul ball". It's just a foul. Everyone knows it's a ball... You wouldn't call a strike a "strike ball" or a ball a "ball ball"....

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by OklahomaBlue

I do and I don't know why... Point taken...

Along those same lines, why do umpires call a foul, "foul ball". It's just a foul. Everyone knows it's a ball... You wouldn't call a strike a "strike ball" or a ball a "ball ball"....

Hmmm, I must be ahead of my time - sometimes I do call just "foul" or "dead".

[Steve M]

If it's a run rule or time limit, I'll say something to each head coach, not make an announcement. If it's a time limit game, with home team batting and home team leading, I'll call Time, and announce that we've reached the time limit.
Other than that, the players pretty much tell me when the game is over.