Heard about this from a fellow umpire.

[chapmaja]

Either last summer or the year before we had a very hot, dry summer in Michigan (I think it was two years ago). I was told about this situation.

Very dry field, (City Park). Every step kicks up substantial amounts of dust.

Runner at first, ground ball to F4. Right as the ball is hit, a big dust devil develops right at first base. Supposedly this was so thick nobody could see so every stopped. The runner stopped, F3 (while in the dust devil) and F4 stopped, and R1 stopped (also in it).

What should you do when something like this develops on the field making it impossible to see.

Having worked on this field that year, I can attest those dust devils did develop and they did cause delays in some of my games. That field was so dusty that every step someone took reminded me of photos of the dust coming up from the footsteps on the moon.

[EsqUmp]

Sounds like a good time to use snap/thud, which umpires should be using anyway. Did you hear the snap of the ball in the glove before or after the thud of the runner's foot hitting the base.

I also find the situation most likely to be highly exaggerated. I've worked on some terrible fields, especially for slow pitch games and haven't had anything rise nearly to this degree.

Just sayin'...

[Rich]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Sounds like a good time to use snap/thud, which umpires should be using anyway. Did you hear the snap of the ball in the glove before or after the thud of the runner's foot hitting the base.

I also find the situation most likely to be highly exaggerated. I've worked on some terrible fields, especially for slow pitch games and haven't had anything rise nearly to this degree.

Just sayin'...

Did you even read the original post?

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by Rich

Did you even read the original post?

Apparently not.

[chuck chopper]

What do you do when the lights go out just as the ball is being hit ?- Kill the play.