How do you handle this

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I don't mind trailing the batter. Maybe when these 50+ year-old legs aren't as functional as they used to be, I'll reconsider.

My point was there are many umpires who flat-out won't bother to go out from A, no matter what. I don't have a problem with that, per se. But I always ask that question at pre-game so I'm ready to take all the calls in the outfield.

Manny, I think you are missing the point. Trailing part way to first isn't a problem, of course I do it, That's the job.

I'm talking about taking the batter-runner solo from home to first, then second, third, and possibly home, because BU chases a ball that was down off the bat, and it gets past F9. Meanwhile, BU is looking for a place to sit watching me run the bases for him, or else making meaningless and redundant "safe" signals while F9 chases the obviously uncaught ball.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

else making meaningless and redundant "safe" signals while F9 chases the obviously uncaught ball.

That is the part I don't get. There is the no ball, no call philosophy, (which I endorse strongly), no signal on the obvious foul ball, etc., but if you got out, you need to make a signal? Why?

The ball is 12 feet fair and an umpire is pointing! A ball bounces UP to the outfielder and the umpire is signaling safe!

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Manny, I think you are missing the point. Trailing part way to first isn't a problem, of course I do it, That's the job.

I'm talking about taking the batter-runner solo from home to first, then second, third, and possibly home, because BU chases a ball that was down off the bat, and it gets past F9. Meanwhile, BU is looking for a place to sit watching me run the bases for him, or else making meaningless and redundant "safe" signals while F9 chases the obviously uncaught ball.

Maybe we are talking on different frequencies. When I said "trailing", I didn't mean just part way up first base. I guess I should've said "taking responsibility for the BR the whole way."

I, too, feel the same about obvious uncatchable balls. It is a little irritating to see a partner turn his/her back to watch a line shot the easily gets through the F8-F9 gap.

[Gulf Coast Blue]

On a FP field of 200-240 feet.....the base umpire should almost never go out.

My Opinion

The larger SP fields are a different matter. It still should be a rare occurance......But I reserve the right to be swayed otherwise.

Joel

[Steve M]

The criteria I learned some years ago in baseball for chasing hold true for softball.
1-a ball to the wall
2-a ball on the line
3-fielder charging in
4-fielder charging out
5-fielders coming together
When one of these is met, there's no good reason not to chase.

[outathm]

With the newer NCAA policy of Reading and then reacting to chase I have come up with the following protocol on chasing.

I look for the 'factors'. In every Fly ball there will be at least 2 factors- the ball and the fielder catching the ball. Any time there is an additional 'factor' I consider chasing.

Other factors include- another Fielder, the wall, the line, the Fielder Running.

I also pre pitch whether or not the umpires are even or out number the offensive players. When the umpires outnumber the offensive players, IE- no one on or one runner (in 3 Umpire) I will chase more than stay. When we are even with them, I make sure the chase is a good one, and when the offensive players outnumber the umpires, I hope the play will be on Sports Center later that evening.