Do you call time every time a play has ended?

I make a conscious effort to avoid calling 'Time'.

Slow pitch or fast pitch?

Tom,
Why does that matter?
mick

ASA 10-8-I. In slow pitch, play is suspended "..when all immediate play is apparently completed..."

Thus, by rule, we do not have to call time, yo?
mick

In slow pitch you are supposed to call time as soon as the ball is on the infield and all play has ceased. In fastpitch, I rarely called time unles it was requested by a player.

I guess I don't follow that.
If it's merely a custom, then fine. But, the call of 'Time' is a platitude. Play is already suspended by rule, just like after a foul ball. :confused:
mick

Its ASA fastpitch

OK, mick, I didn't quote the entire rule, but since you ask...

<font color=blue><b>RULE 10 - UMPIRES. Section 8 - SUSPENSION OF PLAY.</b> I. (Slow Pitch Only) When, in the judgment of the umpire, all immediate play is apparently completed, the umpire should call time.</font>

I don't get why this is a "platitude."

Calling time is how the umpire suspends play in this situation. In a foul ball, play is suspended by the call of "foul ball". In both cases the signal from the umpire is the same - arms raised, palms out. The ball doesn't kill itself. Time doesn't declare itself. The umpire calls it.

[Edited by Dakota on May 1st, 2003 at 10:29 AM]

Mick,
Not for nuttin, but if I don't call TIME! when calling the adult slowpitch men's league, they will juke around on the bases till the cows come home. I find that I don't have that problem in fastpitch and only have to call time when the coaches request, or when I need to get say -a bat or person- off of the field.
Cindy

Except for identified dead ball situations (e.g. foul ball, interference call, look back violation, etc.) in fastpitch the ball is live most of the time. Review ASA 10-8.

If you are the plate umpire, you suspend play before you brush off the plate.

If you are calling the game solo, you should call time before you turn your back on the field of play if there are runners on base.

I call a lot of solo fastpitch. I try to return to position behind the plate while keeping my eye on the field, runners, etc., rather than call time. Sometimes, though, it is best to call time just to get reset.

Also, remember, players / coaches do not call time - they request that time be called. Until you call time, the ball is still live - even if the coach has entered the playing field or the batter has stepped out of the box.

That works.
 

Thanks, Tom.
Calling 'Time' makes sense with all the words.
mick

Dakota and Ima Green Blue.
 

I, also, call generally call 'Time' whenever I turn away from the field to get reset, or dust, ...or whatever.

A trick that I generally keep in my pouch, and that I am very comfortable using, is the "Implied Time Out". That is to say, if, for some reason after action has ended, I 'fail to call time', and I have turned away from the field, then 'Time-Out' is <u>effected, implied and understood</u>.

I don't have a problem selling it, ...or believing it. ;)

mick

I've used the "implied time out" a few times myself. I get no arguments either - probably because the "action" restarted because some runner / coach thought they could take advantage of my temporary lapse.

However, in my "continuous self-improvement" mentality, I consider having to resort to that to be the result of a mistake on my part.