Putting the ball back in after a foul ball

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Am I suppose to put the ball back into play after every foul ball? Keep in mind 90% the same ball is the same one because its normally recovered by a player or coach or parent sitting out of play, rarley is it a new ball being used after a foul ball

[Richvee]

Putting the ball back in play has nothing to do with a new ball. It's about the fact that after a foul ball, time is out. You need to end the time out, and begin live play again by waiting for the pitcher to take his position on the rubber and the batter to be ready in the batter's box. Only then can you  put the ball in play. Think of putting the ball in play as "start the clock" would be in any other sport. 

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Ok i didnt know if a new ball mattered or not thats why i mentioned it, thanks for telling me i didnt know glad i do know, do i vocalize it or just use the "point" signal, sorry if its a dumb question but I was never taught this

[afaber12]

Its hard to go wrong with timing your "Play" verbal with the point every single time. Better to get into that habit than to get into a different one. There'll be times where its less important for the precise time the ball becomes live to be known by everyone, such as no runners on, pitcher's on the rubber getting signs and batter's in the box ready to go - those times you can probably get away with just a point. (I'm using the same logic that says you don't need to give a big "HE'S OUT!" where the batter-runner's forced out at 1st just as he's reaching the 45-foot line.)

 

But it's better to err on the side of caution on this: better to point and verbal "unnecessarily" when everyone knows what's happening than to not do both and have someone caught out because they didn't see/hear what they needed to. Don't give anyone an excuse to blame you for their mistake.

[Richvee]

Get in the habit of verbalizing every time. Especially at the lower levels. When I do smaller kids, the first few times I say "play" I often see the batter step out and the catcher turn and look at me, like "Huh? What did you say?" I explain I'm putting the ball in play and you're going to be hearing it every time there's time out and we start again. It's sad, but a lot of guys do not put the ball back in play and IT WILL bite them in the a$$ at some point in their career. 

[maven]

Am I suppose to put the ball back into play after every foul ball? Keep in mind 90% the same ball is the same one because its normally recovered by a player or coach or parent sitting out of play, rarley is it a new ball being used after a foul ball

 

A foul ball makes the ball dead by rule. 5.09(e)

 

A dead ball is no fun at all. "While the ball is dead no player may be put out, no bases may be run and no runs may be scored..." 5.02

 

That's no way to run a ballgame, so we put it back in play in order to make it live. We do that when the pitcher has the ball and has legally engaged the rubber. 5.11

 

With no runners on, I just point to the pitcher (don't really care whether anyone knows what I'm doing). With runners on, I always also verbalize, "Play!"

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Thanks guys, these are the "finer points" i am try to get better with, once i get formal training i think i will be better, but theres not alot of that available for a 17 yearold around here, next year Im going up to the Williamsport Clinic, run by LL but for now I'm relying on what i can learn here and elsewhere online

[BigUmpire]

Mo clinics=mo better

[boyinr]

Always, everytime without exceptions. Not putting the ball into play is like having a pet rattlesnake. At some point you will get bit and it will be all your fault. I made it a mechanic. I give the count and put the ball back into play every time I need to. KISS.

[BigUmpire]

New Bumper sticker:

 

"Not putting the ball into play is like having a pet rattlesnake. At some point you will get bit and it will be all your fault." - boyinr

 

Thanks @boyinr

[KenBAZ]

Putting the ball in play everytime is also being a good partner. In 2 man you both need to know when the ball is live. Do the guys you work with a favor and set the example of putting the ball in play everytime

[noumpere]

Thanks guys, these are the "finer points"

I dont want to bust your bubble, and this isn't criticism -- but these aren't any where near the "finer points."

 

Heck, I'm not even sure it's umpiring 101.

[Kevin_K]

 

Thanks guys, these are the "finer points"

I dont want to bust your bubble, and this isn't criticism -- but these aren't any where near the "finer points."

 

Heck, I'm not even sure it's umpiring 101.

 

@noumpere........@BaltimoreUmpire is a newbie and is trying to get better, apparently without the benefit of local clinics or seasoned umpires who take pride in their work.

 

I would be a little more considerate toward him than others who have continually posted questions or situations that they should have already mastered since they have been posting on this forum at least as long as I have been. Just sayin.......

[Majordave]

As far as fine points, not sure, but it is not universal. I've worked with plenty of seasoned high school umpires who don't do it. Even after I've asked them to in a between innings conference or after they've watched me do it several dozen times in my plate games. Some guys just don't or won't do it.

College umpires- they'd better do it. Most college pitchers around here won't even do preliminary motions much less deliver a pitch after a dead ball until they get a pointed finger or a point and a verbal "play" from the plate umpire.

I wish all umpire training was universal in terms of things taught and mandatory at any level. And while I'm at it, I also wish we were unionized/organized so we could make more money and no one could just say "I'm an umpire" unless and until they'd completed training and certification., like Doctors and lawyers and other licensed professionals. How much better would that make the game? (If it were administrated properly without corruption)

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Mo clinics=mo better

 And Mo better = mo games

[cyclonehokiece]

 

Mo clinics=mo better

 And Mo better = mo games

 

This may sound Smittyish, but to continue the train of thought:

Mo games = mo money (if paid)

[BigUmpire]

Mo money=mo gear!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[umpstu]

I point and verbalize every time.  It's a great habit.  I also give a count after each foul ball, even with a scoreboard.  I work a college summer league and yesterday was the first time I didn't have to correct the scoreboard or stop the music.  

[Pete Peterson Sr]

Mo clinics=mo better

Mo better = mo better games, also

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Mo money=mo gear!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats the truth i went from ballon to a $15 cooper soft shell to my P200, i upgraded as soon as i could, bubble STINKS never wanna touch it again

[noumpere]

 

 

Thanks guys, these are the "finer points"

I dont want to bust your bubble, and this isn't criticism -- but these aren't any where near the "finer points."

 

Heck, I'm not even sure it's umpiring 101.

 

@noumpere........@BaltimoreUmpire is a newbie and is trying to get better, apparently without the benefit of local clinics or seasoned umpires who take pride in their work.

 

I would be a little more considerate toward him than others who have continually posted questions or situations that they should have already mastered since they have been posting on this forum at least as long as I have been. Just sayin.......

 

Yes -- I get it.

 

I just didn't want him to think that these are the "finer points" and once he gets this stuff down he'll be all set to work the world series (or the local league championship).

 

If he had said "I need ot get these basics down" or something I would have no comment.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Thanks guys, these are the "finer points"

I dont want to bust your bubble, and this isn't criticism -- but these aren't any where near the "finer points."

Heck, I'm not even sure it's umpiring 101.

@noumpere........@BaltimoreUmpire is a newbie and is trying to get better, apparently without the benefit of local clinics or seasoned umpires who take pride in their work.

I would be a little more considerate toward him than others who have continually posted questions or situations that they should have already mastered since they have been posting on this forum at least as long as I have been. Just sayin.......

Yes -- I get it.

I just didn't want him to think that these are the "finer points" and once he gets this stuff down he'll be all set to work the world series (or the local league championship).

If he had said "I need ot get these basics down" or something I would have no comment.By "finer points" i ment of the basics, never ment id be a great umpire once i get this down, i know its not that easy, i know advancement will be difficult never ment to say it was easy

[conbo61]

Get in the habit of verbalizing every time. Especially at the lower levels. When I do smaller kids, the first few times I say "play" I often see the batter step out and the catcher turn and look at me, like "Huh? What did you say?" I explain I'm putting the ball in play and you're going to be hearing it every time there's time out and we start again. It's sad, but a lot of guys do not put the ball back in play and IT WILL bite them in the a$$ at some point in their career.

I agree - always verbalize. It develops a good habit.

The only thing I vary is the volume of the "Play". No runners I say it loud enough for just the batter and catcher. Figure they are facing away and do not see me point. Pitcher sees the point, so he does not necessarily need to hear it.

Runners on I say it loud enough for them AND my partner to hear. No confusion, no excuses.

Just what works for me. YMMV.

[immaculate1976]

I always point and say play after TO or foul ball. I also point when there is no one on base.

 

I worked with a younger kid a few months ago and the first inning I noticed he did not put it back in play so I had a talk with him after the inning and told him why he needed to do this. He blew me off, had this stupid grin on his face like I was bugging him and had a ego like he was the best ump ever. 3rd inning HT batting with runner on third foul ball pitcher gets it back catcher is down, pitcher is on the mound and the batter is in the box snap throw to third runner was leaning so it was a clear out. I said I got no out here coach ball was not put back in play. HT coach is not happy at all grabs a UIC to come out. UIC comes on the field we let him know what we got and he looks at the PU and says "I dont know how they do t ball but in 8th grade we put the ball back in play" He had that sad puppy look on his face the rest of the game. I saw him two weeks ago and he was putting the ball back in play so guess it got it.

[Replacematt]

And for the obvious...

 

This may sound Smittyish, but to continue the train of thought:

Mo games = mo money (if paid)

And the mo' money we come across, the mo' problems we see.