Correct Mechanic on Unusual Play

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Sounds like this wasn't your call ... but to answer the general question - if you have a play, make a call. The players and coaches are relying on that in order to decide what to do next.

I agree with this. I had had this situation several times. I have always made the initial call, then watched what happens after.

One I had this spring (fp 2 person NFHS) was a play at 3b. R3 at 3b, R2 at 2b, R1 at 1b 2 outs. Slow Ground ball to the 3b, who has to run back towards third. R2 just beats F5 to the base, but she overruns the base. I make the safe call emphatically, then as the tag is applied following the over-run I have "out on the tag". The defensive coach was out of the dugout questioning why the run scored on the play (the girl on 3b was a speedster, the one on second, was a big power hitter, but not speedy). The ruling was simple. The run scored before the out was made. Since the out was not a force out, this was a timing play and the run scored before the out. The coach later admitted he knew it was the right call, but had to come out and question it for the parents who were complaining.