Dead Ball with back turned?

[grayhawk]

Did a 12U AAU game solo last night and during the plate meeting, one of the managers asked me if the ball is dead when I turn my back. I didn't really understand what he meant but figured out that he was asking when I go out into the infield to get angle/distance on a call (for instance, between the mound and 2nd base on a base hit stretched to a double), when the play is over and I head back behind the plate, is the ball dead?

I had a very puzzled look on my face and he said that the umpires for his last two games both told him the ball would be dead in this situation. Of course, I told him "no" because it's my responsibility to get my butt back to the plate while keeping an eye on things. I like to keep the ball live whenever possible.

Just seems lazy to basically tell them, "Sorry guys, you can't play baseball when I run back to the plate because I can't stay aware of what's going on."

[JaxRolo]

Did a 12U AAU game solo last night and during the plate meeting, one of the managers asked me if the ball is dead when I turn my back. I didn't really understand what he meant but figured out that he was asking when I go out into the infield to get angle/distance on a call (for instance, between the mound and 2nd base on a base hit stretched to a double), when the play is over and I head back behind the plate, is the ball dead?

I had a very puzzled look on my face and he said that the umpires for his last two games both told him the ball would be dead in this situation. Of course, I told him "no" because it's my responsibility to get my butt back to the plate while keeping an eye on things. I like to keep the ball live whenever possible.

Just seems lazy to basically tell them, "Sorry guys, you can't play baseball when I run back to the plate because I can't stay aware of what's going on."

Good Job! They expect to much of an Umpire to do solo games.