New one for me

[AtlUmpSteve]

Well, sure it is; but it is a terrible call to make.

First, when asked, you don't tell a coach that it is legal, then call the illegal pitch.

Second, even if not asked, the proper way to address this is to hold up the pitcher until all players are positioned in fair territory. At worst, call the 20 second violation and a ball, but don't allow the illegal pitch.

[SergioJ]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Well, sure it is; but it is a terrible call to make.

First, when asked, you don't tell a coach that it is legal, then call the illegal pitch.

Second, even if not asked, the proper way to address this is to hold up the pitcher until all players are positioned in fair territory. At worst, call the 20 second violation and a ball, but don't allow the illegal pitch.

Thank you! This coach got blasted in our local softball forums for not knowing the rules. Now, how many of us have met that coach (at any level) who actually knows ALL the rules for their particular organization/association? AtlUmpSteve, isn't your proper way to address this what we officials call preventive officiating ?

[wadeintothem]

Presuming that the IP was called for illegal positioning after the umpire idiotically allowed it, that is a terrible call. In fairness though, we dont know what the IP was called for. The article is not specific, not to mention they lie.

edit
I guess the article DOES state that the ump ruled the strategy illegal..

What puzzles me is why he supposedly allowed it, then called the IP.

Smells fishy in the world of coach and press lies.

[LIIRISHMAN]

I don't like the way this blue handled the situation.Didn't the coach ask him if it was legal to play the 2nd basemen behind the catcher? Allowing a run to score in a playoff game like that is bush.

[vcblue]

No umpire side, no conclusion can be made. Maybe he said something like, "coach are you sure you want to do that"? and maybe she said, "yes", and maybe he said it again "coach are you sure you want to do that"? and maybe she said "yes" again, and maybe he said "play ball".

Know if this is the way it went I might also say, "coach, listen to the tone of my voice and realize this is a loaded question.

To many maybes, not enough info.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by LIIRISHMAN

...Didn't the coach ask him if it was legal to play the 2nd basemen behind the catcher? ...

We don't know that. All we know is the coach's story as reported by the press. And, even then, he did not use the word "legal."

Lots of woulda's & coulda's here. For one, it is hard to imagine the umpire allowing this even if it was not checked ahead of time by the coach.

I agree with wade... something seems fishy here.

[3afan]

yeah there are some missing pieces to this story for sure

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by 3afan

yeah there are some missing pieces to this story for sure

You are correct, there is a lot of missing info. However, none are relevant to how it should have been handled.

Steve is all over this. As the umpire, you do not allow this to happen.