whats the call
 

I am quite new to umpiring Softball and wanted to know the correct call from my game last night. . .I just moved so and I cannot find the 2009 Rule Book that I packed up.

2 things happened (not the same play)

Anyway, ASA Men's SP
#1
Batter standing high in box, swings at a pitch, misses, the ball bounces before plate and the batters backswing makes contact with the ball and puts the ball in play. Is this a live ball??

#2
Ball thrown from 3B to 1B. 1B takes a short hop and the ball lodges in his groin. 1B simply puts his hand over the ball and presses it into his groin as the BR crosses first base. After runner passes first base, the 1B takes the ball out of his groin with hand. TRAPPED BALL - No Possession - Runner safe - correct??


Thanks (in lieu of the rulebook)
-Z-

No. Two reasons:
1 - ASA 7-4-D: A strike is called: "For each legally pitched ball swung at and missed by the batter." You can only swing once "at" a pitch.
2 - ASA 7-4-B: "...Any pitched ball that hits the ground or plate cannot be legally swung at by the batter. If the batter swings and misses prior to the ball hitting the ground or plate, it is a strike."

As an umpire, you simply kill the play and call the strike. Something like, "Dead ball! Dead ball! That's just a strike, fellas."

You may also reference the Rules Supplement section (see #24, section C).

Correct. See the definition in Rule 1 for "Catch/No Catch." That will help you in determining "possession" of the ball.

Anytime! Hope the move went well...

Or just say, "Strike" with a DB signal. BTW, some may think calling them "fellas" is offensive. :rolleyes:

Hold on while I go get a tissue to wipe their tears. :rolleyes:

Two reasons why I think you should kill it with a loud "dead ball" call are:

1 - It IS a dead ball in SP, so you're not stating anything that is contrary to the rules. If nothing else, you're just emphasizing a fact. In SP with stealing, it could also be an INT call (IF the ball made it past the plate instead of bouncing in front of it).
2 - If you don't kill it right away, you're going to have one hell of a mess to clean up.

On something like this, you have to jump in and take charge right away before the slew of questions start. "What was that blue? Isn't that a strike, blue?" I'm not advocating the avoidance of questions, only the umpire taking charge in making the right call right away and keeping the game moving.

Oh, brother... :rolleyes:

The conversation has nothing to do with a ball that passed the plate in flight. Completely different scenario.

There is zero questions or mess. When I was a young pup, I used to jump out there and scream dead ball with my arms up in the air that would impress Jesse James. The only problem is that these guys are screaming and hollering and running and chasing the ball like 6 yo soccer players. And sure enough, a moron or two would come up and say, "Hey, Blue, you need to get out there and make that call."

I've given up chasing these guys around the field saving them from themselves. I make the call, period. Both teams have coaches and fellow players to watch and direct their team mates. IOW, not my problem!

If they want to run around, scream and holler and get tired, GREAT! When they are done, I will still be at the plate because there is nothing for me to call. I will simply direct the batter back to the box (assuming it was not the 3rd strike) and give them the count.

If an explanation is necessary, it will only have to be once because one of the teams will appreciate my call.

And we all know how careful you are with specific words - since you also put on your "word police"shirt under the umpire shirt.:rolleyes:

Does this sound somewhat painful to anyone else??????

****ing A right! We all have to be sensitive the the next person's feelings and moral beliefs. :rolleyes: