Show me the ball

Play continues...throw to second.

Exactly, Fungo--Player would have "shown" the ball by taking it out of his glove and being ready to make a throw to second if necessary.

It's ump's job to get into position to make proper call at all times.

If I had asked to see the ball and the catcher had jumped up and fired the ball to second to get the runner, I would have had my answer right then and there.

MOC is also correct that the action of taking the ball out and throwing to second would have effectively "shown" me that he had control.

I usually never ask to see the ball unless I have some concern or indication that the player had not controlled it.

In fact if you have an umpire who is constantly asking to "see the ball", you would rightly start to question that umpires judgment....making the call promptly with what information you saw is what separates you from the pack in the higher leagues.

1st: I don't think an ump should be asking to "show me the ball" when the ball is still live and there's still a play to be made. That's interfering with the flow of the game.

2nd: a really smart ball player will always be aware of the next play, i.e., the runner on 1st trying to go to 2nd, and also aware that he needs to show the umpire proof that he has control of the ball on the tag ... so a really good catcher would have popped up from that tag, stared down at 1st ready to throw, while showing the umpire the ball in his throwing hand in plain view. A good player doesn't wait for the ump to make his call ... he shows him the call he needs to make.

It's the same reason a good 1B-man will nod his head when he makes the catch and step briskly off the bag after the catch to demonstrate a sense of 'confidence' that he's made the play to the base ump. You help the ump make it look decisive.

Thanks all - I reviewed this with my son and I bet this helps us sometime this year. We have a lot of local umps who love the "show me the ball" drama.