Put ball in play?

[Guest]

Put the ball in play with bases empty on a foul ball???

[maineump]

10 hours ago, noumpere said:

I think that's being pretty picky.  I can come up with a reason or two (maybe) where it would a good reason to wait, and it's a good habit for younger umpires to get into, but most (more than 99%) of the time, it makes no difference that all the specific "requirements" are met.

It does when there are runners on base. With no runners I agree. If there are runners on base, then it can give the defense the advantage, ie hidden ball trick or a pick-off.

Get in the habit of doing it properly, then as young umpires move up in levels it is a natural thing to do. We stress proper mechanics for balls/strikes/safes/outs, why not here?

[aiber]

R1 outs don't matter. Long fly ball down the right field line. Took off my mask, lined up to see the catch/no catch fair/foul. No catch. "Foul ball!"

Ball comes back into F1. I am heading back to my spot behind the catcher, R1 takes off for 2nd base.

Coaches yell, "He's going!" Mayhem ensues. I yell "I have a foul ball! The ball is not live! You, back to 1st!"

Kid trots back. "Play!"

This is one reason why you do it every time. 

Just "Foul" NOT "Foul Ball"

[aiber]

I asked because I worked a D2 game with a pro guy and he told me NOT to.

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[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, aiber said:

I asked because I worked a D2 game with a pro guy and he told me NOT to.

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Many MLB umps do not put it in play. I believe when Jaska-Roder was authoritive the ball was considered live when the pitcher took the rubber with it. There would be a lot of pointing and "play" in a pro game otherwise. I do see some just point with runners.

[Umpirechick1]

23 hours ago, ZebraStripes said:

It wasn't me!

Shhhhh... it was Darren. Hahaha

[Man_In_Black]

Here's my take FWIW:

For beginning umpires and/or lower level leagues (where the players themselves may be unsure of a ball's status), it's a good idea to always point the ball back into play. It promotes good habits as well.

At higher levels, I don't point the ball into play after a foul ball with no runners on base. I simply assume my stance behind F2 and say "play" in a voice that both the batter and catcher can hear once the batter is in the box and the pitcher is on the rubber. When the pitcher sees me assume my stance, he knows he can pitch.

When there are runners on base, I'll make the same "low voice" announcement of "play" for batter and F2 (because they can't see me), but will use the pointing gesture so that everyone on the field is aware that the ball is now live. With the exception of starting the game, I don't raise my voice when putting the ball in play. All of us have been trained to use the PU's point as the visual cue, since in certain situations where I work you wouldn't, as BU (or player for that matter), necessarily hear the the PU (yelling or not) due to crowd noise. As long as the crew is focused and maintains situational awareness, this all works just fine.

For some reason, around here, pointing with a "play" after a foul ball with nobody on or after a home run is lumped into the same category as screaming "FOUL!!!" and throwing both hands up frantically on a ball that gets popped straight back over the backstop into the seats. It's considered "Smitty" or "little league" or whatever. Whether you agree with that or not, that's the perception around here. So I conform.