Putting the ball in play

[law_reb]

Last night, high school varsity playing under FED and I'm behind the plate.  Runner on 1st with one out.  Batter fouls pitch out of play, new ball to pitcher who immediately gets on the rubber, and the batter is not yet back in box.  Pitcher makes pick off attempt at first and ball gets past the fielder, runner takes off.  The ball has not yet been put back into play by me.  My partner and I both throw up our hands and call "time".  I explain to offensive head coach I had not put ball back in play, he says "ok" and we go about the game.  No issue.  Two things.  1. Because I had not put the ball back in play as of yet, what would be the proper mechanic in this situation.  I called "time", but is this correct if the ball wasn't in play?  2.  It was amazing to me to hear the players from the dugout and the fans questioning if this was correct.  According to what I could hear, apparently if the pitcher is on the rubber the ball is in play.  It's amazing to me they have never noticed the umpire call "play" after foul balls in all their days playing and watching baseball.  And even if no other umpire before me had done it, they could not have missed me doing it throughout the game.  The one thing I have never been accused of on the field is being quiet.

[grayhawk]

1. I'm not sure there is a specific mechanic for this situation.  Calling "time" seems redundant, but is most likely to get everyone's attention.  While we would prefer to stop the circus before it really gets going, if they "play it out" and you have to unwind everything, that's just fine.

 

2.  Fans hardly know any other rule - why should they know this one?

[Mike Prince]

I think you did OK.  If you are looking for something other than "Time" to say, you can always say "The ball is still dead".  Still raise your arms like you are calling time though and get into the infield if you are PU so people see you.

 

I have done games where it's obvious that F1 is waiting on me to put the ball back in play.  So the claim by players of not knowing the ball was dead is not so innocent...

[scrounge]

Invariably this happens a few times a year - and already has once so far. I kinda look forward to it, to be honest, a guilty pleasure in seeing if the circus breaks out. Anyhoo, I just start yelling "No, no, no, ball's not in play yet, that's nothing" or words to that effect.

[maven]

I've tried both "time!" and "no, no, no." I've also tried ignoring it (as BU), and then telling the players that the ball was not in play. Meh: doesn't seem to make much difference.

 

It usually happens with partners on the plate who do not put the ball in play properly, so the players don't know when it's in play. As PU, I always put the ball in play with verbal and signal when there are runners. The pitchers know when it's in play, and I don't see this often as PU.

[law_reb]

Thanks for the responses guys.  That's the thing, Maven, it's the first time I've had the issue that I can remember.  I always verbally put the ball in play and signal with runners or without.  I guess that's why I wasn't exactly sure what to say when it happened.  My partner knew I hadn't put it in play because he hadn't seen or heard me yet.  I have worked the bases with partners who weren't very good about putting the ball in play.  I always worry it will come back to bite us at some point.  

[charliej47]

I always put the ball back in play with or without runners on.  I try very hard to ensure the EVERYONE knows that it is "now" back in play.  I still get this at least once a year.  Even at the varsity level.

[BigUmpire]

Had this happen once.

I just backed up to the backstop and watched as the ball was thrown all over tags applied, yelling, screaming, slobering etc.

Let it go for a while until the outs and tags were applied and the pitcher had the ball back on the rubber.

I then put everything back in place BEFORE the melee.

I then brought out the pitchers coach and "discussed" the issue with the overeager pitcher.

Both coach and pitcher knew the had screwed the pooch with me on this one.

 

 

Of course how many of us have been approaching the plate and had the pitcher bring one before you got there?

[refump10]

Had the same thing happen last week in a Varsity game.  Foul ball into the parking lot (smashed a lady's windshield, btw).  PU gets another ball to the pitcher.  R1 jumps out to a big lead, F1 wheels and fires...over the 1B dugout.  I was in B, and immediately started with..."no, no, no, the ball's not back in play".  My partner behind the plate was doing the same thing.  I kept waiting for OHC to say something, but he never did.

[BigUmpire]

Once this rodeo starts all players, coaches and fans go deaf.

 

Just like calling infield fly in 12u.

 

No one hears you and they look like terriers in a box full of rats.

[grayhawk]

Had the same thing happen last week in a Varsity game.  Foul ball into the parking lot (smashed a lady's windshield, btw).  PU gets another ball to the pitcher.  R1 jumps out to a big lead, F1 wheels and fires...over the 1B dugout.  I was in B, and immediately started with..."no, no, no, the ball's not back in play".  My partner behind the plate was doing the same thing.  I kept waiting for OHC to say something, but he never did.

 

I had just the opposite once.  Batter reaches on an error and the ball ends up in foul territory near the 1B line.  I head back to the dish and notice R1 has a massive lead.  F1 throws over the they get him easily and I call the out (I was solo).  OC calls time and says I never put the ball into play.  I told him I never took it out of play so it was live the whole time.  Maybe he thought I subscribed to the "when my back is to the field, the ball is dead" methodology, but I do not for this very reason.  One out closer to Miller time!

[Umpire in Chief]

I think you did OK.  If you are looking for something other than "Time" to say, you can always say "The ball is still dead".  Still raise your arms like you are calling time though and get into the infield if you are PU so people see you.

 

I have done games where it's obvious that F1 is waiting on me to put the ball back in play.  So the claim by players of not knowing the ball was dead is not so innocent...

Agree. I usually hold my hands up and say "The ball is not in play."

[umpstu]

Thanks for the responses guys.  That's the thing, Maven, it's the first time I've had the issue that I can remember.  I always verbally put the ball in play and signal with runners or without.  I guess that's why I wasn't exactly sure what to say when it happened.  My partner knew I hadn't put it in play because he hadn't seen or heard me yet.  I have worked the bases with partners who weren't very good about putting the ball in play.  I always worry it will come back to bite us at some point.  

Had the same thing happen the other day. Did basically the same thing except came out with arms up saying the balls still dead. That is why I stress how important it is to put the ball in play anytime it becomes dead.

[Mike Prince]

I would at least make an effort to stop the action (vs. sitting back and letting things run their course). If someone gets injured and you haven't tried to stop things, you may be involved in something else...

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[Pete Peterson Sr]

Whenever that type of event takes place when Jr and I are together, we just make eye contact and shake our heads slowly. Once the circus settles down, we put everyone back where they belong. I am overly cautious about putting a ball back into play, as is Junior, and most of the guys I work with most often. If I am unsure whether a partner put the ball back into play, after a tag is applied, I will ask "Joe, did you have a live ball?", and proceed from that point.

[JHSump]

As PU I always put the ball in play after time, including after fouls.  And, I see 

 

a) pitchers who don't wait

b) runners who don't wait

c) batters who turn around and look at me with surprise

d) and occasionally, a disaster of biblical proportions, fire and brimstone coming down from the skies, rivers and seas boiling, earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

 

In the case of (d) I find there is little I can do to stop it until the Stay-Puft man shows up.

 

I suspect the reason these things happen is that many umpires in my area don't put the ball back in play.  It's like balks and EJs --- if they don't do it, I end up with the dirty job.

[Thunderheads]

As PU I always put the ball in play after time, including after fouls.  And, I see 

 

a) pitchers who don't wait

b) runners who don't wait

c) batters who turn around and look at me with surprise

d) and occasionally, a disaster of biblical proportions, fire and brimstone coming down from the skies, rivers and seas boiling, earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

 

In the case of (d) I find there is little I can do to stop it until the Stay-Puft man shows up.

 

I suspect the reason these things happen is that many umpires in my area don't put the ball back in play.  It's like balks and EJs --- if they don't do it, I end up with the dirty job.

STRIPES!

[grayhawk]

As PU I always put the ball in play after time, including after fouls. And, I see

a) pitchers who don't wait

b) runners who don't wait

c) batters who turn around and look at me with surprise

d) and occasionally, a disaster of biblical proportions, fire and brimstone coming down from the skies, rivers and seas boiling, earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

In the case of (d) I find there is little I can do to stop it until the Stay-Puft man shows up.

I suspect the reason these things happen is that many umpires in my area don't put the ball back in play. It's like balks and EJs --- if they don't do it, I end up with the dirty job.

STRIPES!

Ghostbusters

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Thunderheads]

 

 

As PU I always put the ball in play after time, including after fouls. And, I see

a) pitchers who don't wait

b) runners who don't wait

c) batters who turn around and look at me with surprise

d) and occasionally, a disaster of biblical proportions, fire and brimstone coming down from the skies, rivers and seas boiling, earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

In the case of (d) I find there is little I can do to stop it until the Stay-Puft man shows up.

I suspect the reason these things happen is that many umpires in my area don't put the ball back in play. It's like balks and EJs --- if they don't do it, I end up with the dirty job.

STRIPES!

 

Ghostbusters

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

DAMMIT!!!!  Obviously not enough coffee yet!!!

[JHSump]

@grayhawk gets the extra credit points today!  Sorry, @Thunderheads

[Thunderheads]

@grayhawk gets the extra credit points today!  Sorry, @Thunderheads

    I know that's where it was from, and for some reason I wrote 'stripes' ....I saw Bill Murray in my head and wrote stripes .... oh well

[BigUmpire]

Whenever that type of event takes place when Jr and I are together, we just make eye contact and shake our heads slowly. Once the circus settles down, we put everyone back where they belong. I am overly cautious about putting a ball back into play, as is Junior, and most of the guys I work with most often. If I am unsure whether a partner put the ball back into play, after a tag is applied, I will ask "Joe, did you have a live ball?", and proceed from that point.

Experenced umpire here.

Knows game management in youth ball.

[JHSump]

 

@grayhawk gets the extra credit points today!  Sorry, @Thunderheads

    I know that's where it was from, and for some reason I wrote 'stripes' ....I saw Bill Murray in my head and wrote stripes .... oh well

 

Haha, always look over your answers one more time before turning in the exam!

[maven]

d) and occasionally, a disaster of biblical proportions, fire and brimstone coming down from the skies, rivers and seas boiling, earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

 

In the case of (d) I find there is little I can do to stop it until the Stay-Puft man shows up.

 

[SoCal Lurker]

As a baseball dad, I find that whether umpires actually put the ball in play consistently in teh first inning is a pretty good indicator of overall performance for the whole game.  Not perfect, but pretty good . . .