Putting the ball in play

[Rita C]

Just curious:

Do you all put the ball in play after every dead ball? With a signal at least?

Rita

[Insane Blue]

With runners on base always without runners on base about 90% of the time

[Gulf Coast Blue]

I do....just a habit. Never been dinged for it either.

Joel

[Manny A]

Always in baseball, hardly ever in softball.

Seriously, when I chose the red pill and joined the softball umpiring ranks, I was told in clinics that play is assumed when everyone is set, and there's no need for us to actually signal and say play. The only time I do put the ball in play is when I give the hold sign as the batter gets situated in the box, and then she's ready. At that point, I give the pitcher a "bring it" signal.

Oh, I also signal and say play at the very start of the game.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rita C

Just curious:

Do you all put the ball in play after every dead ball? With a signal at least?

Rita

Only if it is obviously necessary. Usually when someone is waiting for an indication all is ready or when I've been holding an eager pitcher. Signal, rarely, if ever, a verbal.

[AtlUmpSteve]

To start the game, "Play ball"; to start a half inning, "Play". After that, only when necessary, or to indicate I am tired of waiting and am starting a "time between pitches" count.

It is necessary in baseball, to indicate runners are now in jeopardy, and ability to start an appeal. Neither exists in softball (well, someone could stupidly want a live ball appeal after the ball has been dead, but really??), so, unless the batter is being surprised or quick-pitched, let them play.

[RKBUmp]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Neither exists in softball (well, someone could stupidly want a live ball appeal after the ball has been dead, but really??), so, unless the batter is being surprised or quick-pitched, let them play.

Had that happen last week in FED game. Had a fly ball to right with a runner tagging at 2nd. After play coach called time and went out to talk to his pitcher, I knew what was coming but he never said a word to me. Walked off the field, my partner put ball back in play then coach told pitcher to step off and throw to 2nd for the appeal. Between innings I approached the coach and told him all he needed to do was call time and tell me he was appealing the runner leaving early. "Really? When did they change that rule?"

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

Had that happen last week in FED game. Had a fly ball to right with a runner tagging at 2nd. After play coach called time and went out to talk to his pitcher, I knew what was coming but he never said a word to me. Walked off the field, my partner put ball back in play then coach told pitcher to step off and throw to 2nd for the appeal. Between innings I approached the coach and told him all he needed to do was call time and tell me he was appealing the runner leaving early. "Really? When did they change that rule?"

Not surprising. Some of our FED coaches played and/or coached baseball, and that's all they remember about appeals.

[DeputyUICHousto]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Not surprising. Some of our FED coaches played and/or coached baseball, and that's all they remember about appeals.

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, ASA used to have the same appeal process back in the 80's. Pitcher steps on the rubber, umpire says "play", pitcher steps off the rubber and makes the appeal. Ball is live and runners can advance at their own risk. I hated this process!!!

[Gulf Coast Blue]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Only if it is obviously necessary. Usually when someone is waiting for an indication all is ready or when I've been holding an eager pitcher. Signal, rarely, if ever, a verbal.

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

To start the game, "Play ball"; to start a half inning, "Play". After that, only when necessary, or to indicate I am tired of waiting and am starting a "time between pitches" count.

It is necessary in baseball, to indicate runners are now in jeopardy, and ability to start an appeal. Neither exists in softball (well, someone could stupidly want a live ball appeal after the ball has been dead, but really??), so, unless the batter is being surprised or quick-pitched, let them play.

Maybe because I started in baseball......it is just a habit with me......as I noted earlier.....I have never been dinged for it though......

Joel

[KJUmp]

Always.....when starting the game, when starting a half inning, and with runners on base; signal and verbal.
Other times, only when necessary to get things moving.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Blue

Maybe because I started in baseball......it is just a habit with me......as I noted earlier.....I have never been dinged for it though......

I don't think anyone would ding you since there's nothing technically wrong about it. I've just been told it's not really necessary to do it in softball for the reasons Steve mentioned.

It's kinda like signalling and verbalizing Foul on obvious foul balls that go over the backstop or the fences down the lines.

This discussion does raise a question, though. For those of you who don't put the ball in Play consistently, when is Play assumed? In baseball, we wait until the pitcher gets on the plate, the catcher gets ready to receive the pitch, and the batter gets ready in the box before we signal and say Play. In softball, the only criterion is that the pitcher has the ball on the plate.

Here's why I ask. Suppose after Play was killed for whatever reason, the pitcher gets on the pitcher's plate with her hands together, and then separates them as she gets settled to take her sign. Do you call the IP? Or do you cut her slack since you probably would not have signaled Play Ball at that point?

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I don't think anyone would ding you since there's nothing technically wrong about it. I've just been told it's not really necessary to do it in softball for the reasons Steve mentioned.

It's kinda like signalling and verbalizing Foul on obvious foul balls that go over the backstop or the fences down the lines.

This discussion does raise a question, though. For those of you who don't put the ball in Play consistently, when is Play assumed? In baseball, we wait until the pitcher gets on the plate, the catcher gets ready to receive the pitch, and the batter gets ready in the box before we signal and say Play. In softball, the only criterion is that the pitcher has the ball on the plate.

Here's why I ask. Suppose after Play was killed for whatever reason, the pitcher gets on the pitcher's plate with her hands together, and then separates them as she gets settled to take her sign. Do you call the IP? Or do you cut her slack since you probably would not have signaled Play Ball at that point?

That's why I'll continue to put it in play with a signal. I do both baseball and softball.

Rita

[Dutch Alex]

Originally Posted by Rita C

Just curious:

Do you all put the ball in play after every dead ball? With a signal at least?

Rita

The question can be best answered by a question! Since when is the play not dead anymore if the umpire don't signal and/or say "Play (ball)"?

In the ISF rule-book there is a section where is written that play is dead any time the plateumpire turns around to brush the plate. [R10 s8b] No such thing is written about making play live, except by indicating with signal and verbal Play (ball).

I have never umpired baseball, so that's no issue. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've played it (small ball) for one season All the instructors I've seen the past 27 years, told me to signal and say "Play (ball)".
It the same as making a call on every play made by defense. Even on the obvious plays...