Eval'd --- oops ... wind's fault !!!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by bobbrix
Well, I got evaluated on Sunday in an exhibition game at a players development camp. Several things went wrong, of course, one being distracted by a base ump that was not signalling any outs or safes (that's a long story in itself ... I'll spare you that one).

Bases loaded, no outs ... I signal to the base ump that the infield fly is a possibility ... base ump actually responds appropriately.

Pow! Big hit ... looks like it's going well into left field !!

Brain thinks " Hey, wait a moment, that looks like it might be an infield fly !!! No, it was hit way too hard. Yikes, the wind is holding the ball up over the shortstop !! Call it !! Call it !!! "

Vocal section fails to listen to brain. Ball drops next to SS. Play continues. Players/coaches seem oblivious.

I look to Mr. Evaluator, hoping to beg forgiveness but he is busy writing me up!!!

(And, of course, the obligatory nasty note about failing to wear those official $90 umpire pants.)

Talking to some other umps that day, several had similar stories about bad decisions on infield flies ... some funny ones about yelling out messed up versions of "Infield Fly, if fair batter is out!"

Sympathy, please.

It should be noted if you are not in the proper uniform, but anyone paying $90 for pants should be written up!

This scenario presents a few possibilities. Number one, the fact that it landed near the SS without being caught may be an indication that this particular batted ball could not be caught with ordinary effort by the SS.

Second, this is a correctable situation. As long as you do it before the next pitch, you can still rule that BR out. It takes a little humility, but it is the proper call. You didn't mention whether any runners were ruled out, so I will not enter the "in jeopardy" area recently discussed in another thread.

As an umpire, I don't care what order it is said as long as the words "infield fly", "if fair" and "out" are included in the call.