Another one

[chapmaja]

Here is the situation.

2 out, 3-2 count on B3. B3 swings and misses, F3 drops the pitch. B3 makes no attempt to run to first, and starts walking toward the first base dugout.

The question is at what point do you call her out.

This was a discussion on another board.

Personally, as long as she is moving, I'm not calling her out until she does something else to prove she has no intention of advancing, such as entering dead ball territory.

What do other umpires use as a guide for making a decision on this.

[RKBUmp]

Until she steps foot into dead ball territory, is tagged out or put out at first, she is not out.

[topper]

Once she enters the "team area ", ie dugout, she's out.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by topper

Once she enters the "team area ", ie dugout, she's out.

I completely agree. Now, what do you do in this situation. She walks back toward the dugout, tosses her bat and helmet into the team area, and a team mate brings out her glove to her? She never actually goes into dead ball territory.

I only bring this up, because I heard about it happening recently.

Personally, at the point she has completely given up the idea of going to first, such as ditching the offensive equipment, at that point I'm calling her out, even if she does not go into dead ball territory. Then you also have the issue of taking off a batting helmet in live ball territory during a live ball situation.

[chuck chopper]

I have no trouble with calling her out at that point either.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

I completely agree. Now, what do you do in this situation. She walks back toward the dugout, tosses her bat and helmet into the team area, and a team mate brings out her glove to her? She never actually goes into dead ball territory.

I only bring this up, because I heard about it happening recently.

Personally, at the point she has completely given up the idea of going to first, such as ditching the offensive equipment, at that point I'm calling her out, even if she does not go into dead ball territory. Then you also have the issue of taking off a batting helmet in live ball territory during a live ball situation.

Speaking ASA, the BR is still a BR and capable of advancing to the base. Really don't care if the umpire "thinks" the runner has given up anything, that is not part of the rule. AFA the helmet, since this scenario makes it clear there is no obvious play, the player is in no danger.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Speaking ASA, the BR is still a BR and capable of advancing to the base. Really don't care if the umpire "thinks" the runner has given up anything, that is not part of the rule. AFA the helmet, since this scenario makes it clear there is no obvious play, the player is in no danger.

So if there is no danger initially, there is no need to necessarily call her out. But once the defense gets the ball and is going to make a play, would you call her out at this point?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

So if there is no danger initially, there is no need to necessarily call her out. But once the defense gets the ball and is going to make a play, would you call her out at this point?

The idea of the rule is to protect the player, not a gotcha or free out. ASA instructs their umpire directly from the rule to use discretion as to the intent of player safety.

If there is no play being made anywhere, I'm not worried about it. If the defense does begin to make a play by throwing the ball, then yes, I will enforce the rule and call the player out.

In the OP, this was believed to be the final out of that half-inning, so I'm guessing the ball is on the ground the most of the defense is in or near their dugout, unless the OP tells me differently.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

I completely agree. Now, what do you do in this situation. She walks back toward the dugout, tosses her bat and helmet into the team area, and a team mate brings out her glove to her? She never actually goes into dead ball territory.

I only bring this up, because I heard about it happening recently.

Personally, at the point she has completely given up the idea of going to first, such as ditching the offensive equipment, at that point I'm calling her out, even if she does not go into dead ball territory. Then you also have the issue of taking off a batting helmet in live ball territory during a live ball situation.

Speaking NFHS, the batter would be declared out once the half-inning ended because all infielders left the diamond. See Casebook 8.1.1 Situation A.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Speaking NFHS, the batter would be declared out once the half-inning ended because all infielders left the diamond. See Casebook 8.1.1 Situation A.

So, the moral of the story is that all infielders should sprint into foul territory if the 3rd out is a strike out, just in case.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

So, the moral of the story is that all infielders should sprint into foul territory if the 3rd out is a strike out, just in case.

A whole team of girls sprint off the field? Good luck with that!