Hebrew Hacker
Derby Jew
Out of curiosity, why?
ASA pegged the on deck batter
- Thread starter stang7222
- Start date
Out of curiosity, why?
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
To start, it isn't mine.
Second, any discarded equipment becomes part of the field. Therefore, moving it means the umpire is reconfiguring the playing field
Third, if the umpire moves a bat to another location and that DOES effect the play, who is going to be wrong there and if it results in an injury to someone, who is now liable for putting the equipment in a place that it would not have been had it not be relocated.
Fourth, the umpire should be watching the ball, fielders, runners and bases and moving into the proper position to make the pending call. Shouldn't be searching for or looking at a piece of equipment that is fine where it is. If the players want to move it, they can, I've got other responsibilities.
Fifth, if the umpire picks it up and then must move whether to avoid the play or make a call, who is liable if someone gets hit with the bat in the umpire's hand.
And I'm talking about all equipment, including the ball. This is why umpires are directed to not take a ball from a fielder at any time. What if the ball is live and the winning run is rounding third and F3 mistakenly tosses the ball to the umpire who is now standing there with a live ball in his hand as F4 is trying to take it away? No matter what happens, from this point it is going to be a mess.
Real simple, just like you would tell a younger sibling, you don't touch my stuff and I will not touch yours. Keeps everybody happy and out of trouble. Want to be a nice guy, go do volunteer work.
ImminentDanger
Up and Over
Yep --- Thanks, BLUE --- Some folks are inherently helpful --- others, not so much
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NCASAUmp
Un-Retired
Yep --- Thanks, BLUE --- Some folks are inherently helpful --- others, not so much
...
Well, I certainly understand his point, though. There are a few ways in which picking up the bat can be misconstrued, and it is a bad habit to get into.
I never do it during tournaments, and I only do it under a very specific set of circumstances. The ball must be dead, the bat must be significantly closer to me than the next batter, the bat must be on my way back towards home plate (I won't chase after bats), and the atmosphere must be a relatively recreational/laid-back environment.
If those circumstances aren't present, I won't do it.
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
Yep --- Thanks, BLUE --- Some folks are inherently helpful --- others, not so much
...
Don't care if the ball is dead, it is a bad habit and it will get the umpire gigged in an evaluation. And just because the ball is dead or the umpire may think it is dead, does not mean a play cannot be made and the team may use the ball for that appeal.
The umpire shouldn't pick it up for the same reason s/he shouldn't go into your bat bag to check it, IT ISN'T THE UMPIRE'S PROPERTY.