Everyone Stopped!

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by bsnalex

Why is the ump yelling "FAIR BALL"? Unless I was taught incorrectly, you only ever say "Foul Ball" and if it's a close call that's fair, point to fair territory. That way, the flow of the play doesn't stop. Runner keeps running unless he/she hears something, fielders play the ball unless they hear something.

Oh, I agree with you. It's just been my observation that this particular social league doesn't necessarily use umpires certified by any governing body. This occasionally results in some odd rulings/interpretations, such as:

• A player may be called for BOO by the umpire, even without an appeal and even after a pitch has been thrown to the next batter;
• A runner hasn't committed interference if the collision with the protected fielder is an accident;
• It's not an infield fly if the ball is caught inside the pitcher's box/circle;

When arguing these are incorrect becomes fruitless, all one can do is grin, bear it, and

As the catcher, I was half-tempted in the following half-inning to casually mention that "fair ball" shouldn't be verbalized, but figured it wouldn't be well-received.