quote:Originally posted by Kumi:
Please bear with my ignorance, I'm striving to become something better than a lowest common denominator HS umpire. Thanks for the comment. If I want to be abused I'll call my wife.
Maybe instead of DDB, it should be referred to as a delayed ruling or delayed call. By signaling this, you're letting others know that you're prepared to make a ruling on that play once the play ends. It's not that I'm reminding myself to kill the play when it's appropriate. We don't make signals to ourselves, we make them for the benefit of others (players, coaches and your partner). A smart player can take advantage in certain situations knowing he's protected, a signal lets him know you're going to make the call. I would think that verbally announcing the obstruction might cause some players to think the play is dead.
I enjoy the reading and appreciate the insight. I hope everyone realizes that none of us ever quits learning.
The DDB signal (or delayed ruling/call) is inappropriate because:
1. The infraction might be ignored with the ball staying live,
2. There might be no ruling to administer, and
3. 1 and 2 above are not determined until all playing action is over.