Getting help and making a call

[afaber12]

A little while ago I had a situation that I wasn't quite sure how to handle, kind of relating to a topic on here a while back but more to do with the aftermath.

 

I'm PU with R2 and R3, 2 out. Ball's hit to F6 who throws to F3 for a close play at first. As I see the throw I shift to 1BLX to see the play at first and R3's touch at home. The throw to F3 wasn't perfect, and F3 didn't help by trying to come off the bag and spin to throw home at R2 who's also trying to score. As take the one or two steps I've got time to make for the play at home, I'm peripherally watching BU for a call but there isn't one. BU starts walking to me as everyone who had been looking at my partner for a call is now looking at me for a call. I call time, we get together and I confirm for him that F3 held the bag at first - I was 500% sure of this part, much less so about the timing of BR's touch and F3's catch, but I wasn't asked about that part - and he calls BR out to end the inning.

 

Now my preference would have been for my partner to make a call one way or the other, and then if asked and he's unsure to come to me for help. (We didn't cover it pregame, but its something I'll keep in mind for the future so I at least know what to expect if future partners don't agree.) But my concern with this is, given there wasn't a call at first, should I have made a call at home? Had it been less than 2 out, I wouldn't have had any issue. It was only because the play at first potentially meant the play at home didn't exist. I treated it similarly to R1 stealing on a 3-x pitch where as BU you miss what the call on the pitch was: if it was a ball then there was no "play" to call because R1's safe on BR's walk (barring an overslide or other shenanigans), but if there was a strike you need to call R1 safe or out.

 

So should I have made a call, which would have been an out, and we treat the play at first almost like a fourth out appeal, or wait for the call at first to be made, and only rule on the play at home if needed?

[noumpere]

Since the play at home was an out, the inning is over either way, and only the scorer (and the player's mom) cares about first.

 

But, in general, make the call or say something like, "I have him safe, if it matters" and then get together on the play at first.

[grayhawk]

Since the play at home was an out, the inning is over either way, and only the scorer (and the player's mom) cares about first.

But, in general, make the call or say something like, "I have him safe, if it matters" and then get together on the play at first.

R3 already scored, so we need to know the status of the BR to count the run or not.

I would make the call at home. Your partner screwed up by making no call, but that can be fixed after the fact. Take care of your business first, and then help him with his.

[noumpere]

 

R3 already scored, so we need to know the status of the BR to count the run or not.

I

Sorry -- I misread who the "out" was on.

 

Let me add to my previous that if you end up with a "safe" at first, it will be easier to explain / sell your call at the plate if you've already made it then if you initially make no indication and then go back.

[afaber12]

For the record I had R2 out at the plate, so it would still have been the end of the inning, but the difference would be whether or not R3's run counted (and slight statistical differences between the two scenarios).