Ball not in play

[carolinablue]

I was doing a seniors game the other day and the F1's favorite thing to do was to make a quick blind throw to F3 before he engaged the rubber, trying to catch the runner sleeping. One time I had a foul ball and I quickly handed the F2 a new one and he threw it back to F1. As the catcher, batter and me were settling back into position ( I had my hand up ), he threw one to F3 and it went about 6 feet over his head. Of course the runner takes off for second and everyone is scrambling around and I have to shout ": Iv'e got time, Iv'e got time" to finally get everyone to stop. I explained to the pitcher and everyone that I had not put the ball back into play and he needed to wait till I do so. I then get a barrage of complaints from the stands about how I needed to get in the game and pay attention ect. I got some minor complaints from the OC.

About two batters later he did the exact same thing again with the exact same results. This time the spectators were asking how much they were paying me and worse. I don't mind getting flak from the stands but this was not related to anything I did such as a close call or ball or strike. This time I walked out to the mound and firmly told the pitcher that he needed to wait till I put the ball back in play and I didn't want that to happen again. It didn't happen again but I was wondering if I handled it correctly and what should I have done if it did. Is this something you would eject for if it continued to happen after he has been told twice ?

[mstaylor]

I don't know that you can toss him, though I would be tempted. What I have done is basically what you did. The first time you have to stop everything the best you can. The second time instead of talking to the pitcher, step away from the plate and yell at him the ball is dead and he has to allow you to put it back in play. I would hate to have to stop giving him a ball until things got set, that would slow the game down.

[Umpire in Chief]

Another case of people who know nothing about baseball rules complaining about something they don't understand.

[Dragon29]

I've had things like that happen in lower divisions, but by the time their in Senior ball, they pretty much know to wait.

The only thing I can think of that you can do (if you weren't already - and you could have been) is to be as consistent as possible in putting the ball back into play throughout the entire game. Once the pitchers see this a few times early in the game, they tend to wait for you.

One of my biggest pet peeves as a BU is if my partner isn't doing this, especially w/runners on. This is one of the few things that will get me to come in between innings.

[FVBump]

One of my biggest pet peeves as a BU is if my partner isn't doing this, especially w/runners on. This is one of the few things that will get me to come in between innings.

I mention this in my 2 man pregame sometimes if it is a partner I have not worked with before or seen behind the dish.

[mstaylor]

If I am the BU and my partner isn't putting it in play consistantly, then on a pick-off following a dead ball I will ask does he have the ball live. If he is consistant then I will simply say the ball is dead and nothing can happen. As the BU you have to go in and talk to the pitcher and tell him to give the PU a chance to get the ball in play.

If the PU is not consistant I will have a talk with him between innings. I do not look at my partner to get a visual play signal, I make him do it verbally. I believe that I need to watch the pitcher/ball, not my partner.

[JaxRolo]

I had a similar situation last night.

11U Game. R3. Foul Ball. F1 gets new ball and immediately throws to F3 who applies the tag for an out. I say No No we have "time" on the play.

Coaches argue to no avail. :cheers: