Intentional drop + an hour

[zoops]

Had a funny situation - well kind of.  Bottom 7 (9 inning game), VT up 18-7, 1 out, R1.  Line drive drilled to the 3rd baseman, right into his glove at thigh height.  He proceeds to glove it, intentionally drop it, and throw to second in hopes of a game ending double play.  I've umped this kid for several years (he's 18 now) and he's a real good kid but tries to get an edge any way he can (hidden ball tricks, trying to advance during catcher-pitcher conferences if he doesn't think they called time, watching missed bases, etc.).  I come out and kill it and HT hits back to back doubles to make it 18-9.  They would have had the runner doubled off anyway as he took off on the hit.  Kid says to me later in the game as I gave him a hard time "I've done that a bunch of times before and never been called."  I just chuckled, even his teammates were giving him a hard time since they all wanted to get out of there and go to 4th of July festivities.  I showed him the rule after the game (6.05L by the way).  At least he got a chance to learn it in a situation that didn't matter.  I've been umpiring 13 years and this is the first time I've ever had it called in one of my games.  Game ended 26-12 in 9 innings - 405 total pitches.  I'm sure it was well over an hour that we had to play longer after that play.  

[Pete Peterson Sr]

No good deed goes unpunished.

[millerforrest]

Not much funny in an 18-7 game unless your buddy is doing the plate! LOL

[millerforrest]

Except a 26-12 game that you make you & your partner stay over an hour longer than necessary! LOL

[zoops]

Yeah I definitely had to buy after that one!

[Daniel]

Oh why oh why would you make that call.

I am sure you wouldn't have heard a peep after that mess of a game.  If you were on the field with me, you'd be buying me a 32oz. serloin steak WITH that adult beverage. 

[MPLSMatt]

"Coach, didn't look intentional to me.  Why would he drop it intentionally, he could've easily thrown behind him to double him off anyway?"  Beer time in 12.5 minutes. 

[Pete Peterson Sr]

We all know in the heat of the moment, we call what we see, not the most expedient call, because that's what we are trained to do.

Example: Several years ago, I was on the bases in game two of a varsity DH. About 40 degrees, and drizzling. Home team up by nine in the 5th, two out, R3. Whacker at 1B. I see an out, I called an out.  On to the sixth inning we go. HT F3 says "You realize if you called Jim safe, we are going home now, right?" Of course he was right, but I don't think about those things while I'm working. Maybe some of you do.

[zoops]

We all know in the heat of the moment, we call what we see, not the most expedient call, because that's what we are trained to do.

 

 

Yup, of course a minute later I said to myself..."what the hell was I thinking?"  Reflex took over I guess.

[grayhawk]

We all know in the heat of the moment, we call what we see, not the most expedient call, because that's what we are trained to do.

Example: Several years ago, I was on the bases in game two of a varsity DH. About 40 degrees, and drizzling. Home team up by nine in the 5th, two out, R3. Whacker at 1B. I see an out, I called an out.  On to the sixth inning we go. HT F3 says "You realize if you called Jim safe, we are going home now, right?" Of course he was right, but I don't think about those things while I'm working. Maybe some of you do.

 

So true Pete!  I've heard senior guys talk about making a certain call because it's right in front of their dugout, or calling a banger a certain way because the last banger went a certain way.  I just call what I see.  If I let other thoughts enter my feeble mind, I'm afraid I will lose all focus and my judgment (or lack thereof, depending on who you ask) will be completely lost.