The right no-call?

[bainsey]

ASA slow pitch, co-ed.

Routine infield grounder. The throw, while well in time, pulls the first baseman off the bag, and never gets the out. The batter-runner goes over first base, making no contact with it.

I say and signal nothing. I simply wait for the batter-runner to "return" to first before calling her safe. Instead, she assumes she's out, and simply goes back to the dugout. I quietly signal out.

Did I handle this one correctly?

[NCASAUmp]

I would have handled it differently.

Once the runner passes the base, we should hesitate slightly to give the defense time to make any appeal, then call the runner safe if no appeal is made.

Out of curiosity, do you come from a baseball background?

[DeputyUICHousto]

I have to agree with NCASA...like that never happens.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by DeputyUICHousto

I have to agree with NCASA...like that never happens.

What's so bad about disagreeing with me? Afraid you'll get cheesehead cooties?

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I would have handled it differently.

Once the runner passes the base, we should hesitate slightly to give the defense time to make any appeal, then call the runner safe if no appeal is made.

I'm going to disagree. Why hesitate? There are two (possible) calls at first base. The first is the play on the batter-runner at first. Did the defense retire the runner? If not, signal safe. That includes if the runner a) beats the throw to the bag, b) if the fielder is pulled from the bag, c) beats the throw but misses the base (as the runner is assumed to have missed the base), d) did not touch the colored portion if obliged to (treated the same as C). You rule on that action. By rule the runner is safe; that is something to convey with a signal. (note: look what happened in the OP when a signal wasn't given)

Then you might have an appeal in which to rule. Handle that when the defense executes a proper live ball appeal. The problem (and this is where Dave's "hesitation" comes in) arises in FP vs. SP. In the former, we do not call "time" when action has stopped, there is a constant "flow" (if you will). In the latter, we do call "time" when the action has ceased and the ball is in the infield. Where that could cause problems is your timing through the game is to call "time" before the BR starts to return to first. Then you "hesitate" the one time when the BR missed the base/used the white portion. That slight hesitation could mean something to an observant defense.

Note: Missing home without a tag is a different situation due to there being a tag rather than a force play at first. Two different situations, two different mechanics.

[7in60]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Once the runner passes the base, we should...call the runner safe.

Hesitating might cue the defense that something is wrong. We are not supposed to do that.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by 7in60

Hesitating might cue the defense that something is wrong. We are not supposed to do that.

You're right, I'm thinking of plays at the plate.

Brain fart.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Out of curiosity, do you come from a baseball background?

Negative. I've been doing rec-level adult softball for nine years, mostly solo. The play I mentioned is the first time I've had that one.

Originally Posted by Big Slick

By rule the runner is safe; that is something to convey with a signal.

Could you cite the ASA rule? While the runner clearly isn't out, I don't understand how the runner can be safe, either, if he/she never touches the bag.

Originally Posted by Big Slick

Missing home without a tag is a different situation due to there being a tag rather than a force play at first. Two different situations, two different mechanics.

I'd like some clarity on this, as well. I'm not presently seeing a difference.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Could you cite the ASA rule? While the runner clearly isn't out, I don't understand how the runner can be safe, either, if he/she never touches the bag.

Sure. 8-3-B:

When a runner or batter-runner acquires the right to a base by touching it before being put out, the runner or batter-runner is entitled to hold that base until legally touching the next consecutive base or is forced to vacate it for a trailing runner. When a runner passes a base, the runner is considered to have touched that base. This also applies to awarded bases.

[tcannizzo]

Why wouldn't you verbal "PULL - SAFE"?
The opportunity is still there for a live ball appeal.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

Why wouldn't you verbal "PULL - SAFE"?
The opportunity is still there for a live ball appeal.

If everyone in their grandmother could see that the fielder was 5 feet off the base, I'm just going to call "safe."

I only verbalize "pulled foot" if it's not extremely obvious to everyone.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Out of curiosity, do you come from a baseball background?

If he did, then he would have known the right way to call this play! In baseball, we are instructed to call this precisely the same as ASA tells us to in their games.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Sure. 8-3-B:

And there it is. Thanks!

[MD Longhorn]

Well... if you're not out, you're safe, right?

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

If everyone in their grandmother could see that the fielder was 5 feet off the base, I'm just going to call "safe."

I only verbalize "pulled foot" if it's not extremely obvious to everyone.

Sorry, I must have missed the part of the post that established this.