The mechanic described by Dash is used in many groups, including mine, that has members that attend pro clinics. A coach that doesn't know thhe mechanic is of no concern of ours, they don't know a lot of our mechanics. It works, it is the best for the game and should be used. We didn't use the safe signal on a DTS for many yrs but most do now. This is just another mechanic born of a play that blew up. This saves confusion and shouldn't result in any type of ejection. It let's the catcher know he has to make a play and the BR know he has to run. What will get an ejection is calling a strike after the catcher has tagged the batter.
I've played a lot of ball starting in the 60's, I remember about 3 umpires calls or actions on the field from my playing days; one hit me in the head throwing a ball into play, I was F1. This was a HS game, our routine was on any new ball put back in play F2 threw a rocket to F5, F5 then gave the ball to F1, just a way we stayed in the game..did it since we started 90' bases. So as HP Ump runs out to check on me, luckily it was a pretty soft lob and it hit right on top a the coconut, it hurt but I was uninjured, all I could say was "give it to the catch please".. Any rate a well respected umpire who's now in our states HS Hall.
The other two, I saw one time; HS state play-off. I'm R1, pitch comes in high, B checks his swing, HPU springs staight up and out points to his partner did he go? I swear HPU didnt' even have "he" out of his throat when BU "Yes, rings him up". It impressed me greatly, these two were that tight.
So from the OP:
Options seem to be:
1.) Umpire timing is correct.
2.) PU should have immediately gone to BU not waiting for appeal request.
3.) PU should not have granted appeal.
4.) BU should call the swing before being asked.
5.) BU should have said no swing.
I'm picking 2-4 and 5.
2. Since the rules say you gotta ask anyway, and you want to communicate the right call asap, I've always asked with out prompting from the D.
4. I'm for it, think it's a great idea, for sure the timing is critical. I would hate to see the BU too quickly singal "no" just as HPU is ringing the B up, for ex. IMO BU free lancing out there should be reserved for DTS's.
I mean we see annoying coaches begging for this everytime a batter moves his bat as it is, imagine an annoying partner out there signaling on every pitch..
5. Only if it was the right call.
From OBR:
Rule 9.02(c) Comment: The manager or the catcher may request the plate umpire to ask his partner for help on a half swing when the plate umpire calls the pitch a ball, but not when the pitch is called a strike.
The manager may not complain that the umpire made an improper call, but only that he did not ask his partner for help. Field umpires must be alerted to the request from the plate umpire and quickly respond. Managers may not protest the call of a ball or strike on the pretense they are asking for information about a half swing.
Appeals on a half swing may be made only on the call of ball and when asked to appeal, the home plate umpire must refer to a base umpire for his judgment on the half swing. Should the base umpire call the pitch a strike, the strike call shall prevail.
Baserunners must be alert to the possibility that the base umpire on appeal from the plate umpire may reverse the call of a ball to the call of a strike, in which event the runner is in jeopardy of being out by the catcher’s throw. Also, a catcher must be alert in a base stealing situation if a ball call is reversed to a strike by the base umpire upon appeal from the plate umpire.
The ball is in play on appeal on a half swing.
On a half swing, if the manager comes out to argue with first or third base umpire and if after being warned he persists in arguing, he can be ejected as he is now arguing over a called ball or strike.
The other two, I saw one time; HS state play-off. I'm R1, pitch comes in high, B checks his swing, HPU springs staight up and out points to his partner did he go? I swear HPU didnt' even have "he" out of his throat when BU "Yes, rings him up". It impressed me greatly, these two were that tight.
So from the OP:
Options seem to be:
1.) Umpire timing is correct.
2.) PU should have immediately gone to BU not waiting for appeal request.
3.) PU should not have granted appeal.
4.) BU should call the swing before being asked.
5.) BU should have said no swing.
I'm picking 2-4 and 5.
2. Since the rules say you gotta ask anyway, and you want to communicate the right call asap, I've always asked with out prompting from the D.
4. I'm for it, think it's a great idea, for sure the timing is critical. I would hate to see the BU too quickly singal "no" just as HPU is ringing the B up, for ex. IMO BU free lancing out there should be reserved for DTS's.
I mean we see annoying coaches begging for this everytime a batter moves his bat as it is, imagine an annoying partner out there signaling on every pitch..
5. Only if it was the right call.
From OBR:
Rule 9.02(c) Comment: The manager or the catcher may request the plate umpire to ask his partner for help on a half swing when the plate umpire calls the pitch a ball, but not when the pitch is called a strike.
The manager may not complain that the umpire made an improper call, but only that he did not ask his partner for help. Field umpires must be alerted to the request from the plate umpire and quickly respond. Managers may not protest the call of a ball or strike on the pretense they are asking for information about a half swing.
Appeals on a half swing may be made only on the call of ball and when asked to appeal, the home plate umpire must refer to a base umpire for his judgment on the half swing. Should the base umpire call the pitch a strike, the strike call shall prevail.
Baserunners must be alert to the possibility that the base umpire on appeal from the plate umpire may reverse the call of a ball to the call of a strike, in which event the runner is in jeopardy of being out by the catcher’s throw. Also, a catcher must be alert in a base stealing situation if a ball call is reversed to a strike by the base umpire upon appeal from the plate umpire.
The ball is in play on appeal on a half swing.
On a half swing, if the manager comes out to argue with first or third base umpire and if after being warned he persists in arguing, he can be ejected as he is now arguing over a called ball or strike.