SeeingEyeDog Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 So, I had this on a FED game tonight and I have never encountered this before so, it gave me a bit of vapor lock as I quickly engaged my "little gray cells" as Hercule Poirot would say to address the situation... We're at dusk, field lights are on but, it's a challenging light level situation. The field has nothing unusual with the batter's eye. Batter takes a pitch for a ball and then asks for time and asks for a new baseball. I call time and instinctively reach into my ball bag...and then freeze as I have never had this request before. The batter, sensing my hesitation added, "Sorry, Blue...I'm having a hard time seeing that particular baseball." Not thinking of any rule against the request, I swapped out the baseball. The outgoing ball was indeed dirty (which likely contributed to its emerging invisibility to the batter...) and I kept it in my bag and rotated it back into play in the next inning after the sun was fully down. Nothing further on this and we ended the game after 7 innings. Thinking back on it, I just didn't like the idea of the batter wearing a pitch because he couldn't see it and I am standing there with 3 pearls at my side. What do you have here, brothers? ~Dawg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfe_man Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 I see no problem with it. If F1 wants a new ball, we let him have it. If we're about safety as we say, the new baseball that's whiter and more easily seen theoretically is safer. I think you did the right thing. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noumpere Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 At least in OBR, the interp is that F1 can request a new ball; B cannot. (No, I don't know where I can find that.) And, you should not have one dirty ball in your bag and three pearls. Rotate them around throughout the game so all get used more-or-less evenly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMax Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 8 hours ago, SeeingEyeDog said: Batter takes a pitch for a ball and then asks for time and asks for a new baseball. Oh grrrreeeaaat… 🙄… what’r the odds that this will become a “thing” in College baseball to circumvent the 10-second clock for Batters, and avoid a charged Offensive Conference or a Strike? I’ll get my email InBox 📥 ready. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerguy55 Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 This became vogue in the 80's when batters started requesting the ump change (or at least inspect) a ball that just went into the dirt on the previous pitch - pitchers wanted to keep a scuffed ball as long as they could - batters started getting savvy and wanted them removed. Nowadays a MLB ball that touches anything but a glove or hand leaves the game anyway, so it's moot. At the lower budget areas we just need to make do. In principle I have no problem with the batter's request, but what are you going to do if all four of your balls are in the same condition?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
834k3r Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 12 hours ago, SeeingEyeDog said: So, I had this on a FED game tonight and I have never encountered this before so, it gave me a bit of vapor lock as I quickly engaged my "little gray cells" as Hercule Poirot would say to address the situation... We're at dusk, field lights are on but, it's a challenging light level situation. The field has nothing unusual with the batter's eye. Batter takes a pitch for a ball and then asks for time and asks for a new baseball. I call time and instinctively reach into my ball bag...and then freeze as I have never had this request before. The batter, sensing my hesitation added, "Sorry, Blue...I'm having a hard time seeing that particular baseball." Not thinking of any rule against the request, I swapped out the baseball. The outgoing ball was indeed dirty (which likely contributed to its emerging invisibility to the batter...) and I kept it in my bag and rotated it back into play in the next inning after the sun was fully down. Nothing further on this and we ended the game after 7 innings. Thinking back on it, I just didn't like the idea of the batter wearing a pitch because he couldn't see it and I am standing there with 3 pearls at my side. What do you have here, brothers? ~Dawg I've been in this same situation, and I've been in situations where I've proactively switched out a ball for one that's brighter/less dirty/more pearl-like. It's in those situations I become hyper aware of the ambient light and prepare to end the game. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velho Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 1 hour ago, 834k3r said: I've been in situations where I've proactively switched out a ball for one that's brighter/less dirty/more pearl-like. It's in those situations I become hyper aware of the ambient light and prepare to end the game. Me too. It's a last gasp effort and you hope for 3rd out on next pitch. Assuming you don't have lights (unlike OP) this is almost always a sign we need to call the game. One of those "yellow flags are red flags" situations. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velho Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 3 hours ago, beerguy55 said: pitchers wanted to keep a scuffed ball as long as they could - batters started getting savvy and wanted them removed. I asked HS age players if they know what to do with a scuffed ball. Only one has ever said use it for movement (and then didn't know how to do that). Most stare at me. The only other answer I get is "ask for a new one". EDIT to add: Related - When I let them choose, the pitchers always take the pearl. I bite my tongue. "The scuffed dirty one can work for you kid" 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerguy55 Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 1 hour ago, Velho said: I asked HS age players if they know what to do with a scuffed ball. Only one has ever said use it for movement (and then didn't know how to do that). Most stare at me. The only other answer I get is "ask for a new one". EDIT to add: Related - When I let them choose, the pitchers always take the pearl. I bite my tongue. "The scuffed dirty one can work for you kid" how times have changed - in LL Seniors our F3 had the sandpaper in his glove - umps would check F1 and F2, but never put it together it was F3 scuffing the ball. And man that ball would move. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegas_Ump Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 In my old age, I noticed that at twilight games, a dirty baseball looked the same as the sky. When I was in the field, I found I was a step behind the play because I could not see the ball come off the bat. I don't think I missed any plays, but I knew I was going to have to re-evaluate my life as an umpire. In that off season, I got cataract surgery, and I was gobsmacked at how much better my night vision was. I would imagine a young ballplayer could see the ball fine, but using a cleaner ball--especially at twilight on a 90' field--is not unreasonable. Being able to see the ball is kinda a good idea! Might help the ump follow the play quicker. Mike Las Vegas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Man in Blue Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 Son, if you can't see the ball, you've got the wrong uniform on. Let me get you a navy polo and some grey pants. 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudisfun Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 On 4/30/2024 at 7:07 PM, The Man in Blue said: Son, if you can't see the ball, you've got the wrong uniform on. Let me get you a navy polo and some grey pants. Based on the uniform you just described, the ball will be yellow anyhow 🤣 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Man in Blue Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 11 hours ago, Mudisfun said: Based on the uniform you just described, the ball will be yellow anyhow 🤣 Softball doesn’t wear navy. But I like how you’re thinking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMax Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 On 5/2/2024 at 10:40 PM, The Man in Blue said: Softball doesn’t wear navy. D’aww… you poor dear, you don’t know of these? That panel style (in navy!) is used throughout NCAA softball, too. And then, in truly the most insidious arrangement (in baseball uniforms) ever, reeking of nepotism like a casino buffet’s waste in a New Jersey landfill (sorry, @Richvee, the analogy was too good), there are some state associations that use this (wretched old) navy shirt… … for both ⚾️ and 🥎!!! Abomination!!! Sacrilege!!! 😱 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richvee Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 1 hour ago, MadMax said: And then, in truly the most insidious arrangement (in baseball uniforms) ever, reeking of nepotism like a casino buffet’s waste in a New Jersey landfill ahhhh, Yes... this "classic" Almost had to wear one today with an "I only have navy" partner. Fortunately the game got cancelled for field conditions. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Man in Blue Posted May 7 Report Share Posted May 7 Come on, @MadMax, you know I know that shirt -- it is actually one of my favorites. Wish we would rip it off for NFHS! I was referring to NFHS (IHSA, anyway). The college shirt is a bit dark for traditional navy, but I like it, too. (Official name: midnight navy) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Man in Blue Posted May 7 Report Share Posted May 7 9 hours ago, Richvee said: ahhhh, Yes... this "classic" Almost had to wear one today with an "I only have navy" partner. Fortunately the game got cancelled for field conditions. Navy shirts are not field conditions . . . but I applaud your effort. 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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