Ball 3 - Take Your Base (?)

Big Daddy Michigan said:

Comp, in your opinion or the rulebook's, shouldn't the umpire always draw attention to the fact that it's only 3 like you did? It sure would save the hassle of trying to deal with the complaints afterward.

Also, WHAT IF you had made a mistake and either called ball four or told her to take her base only to find it was ball three? Would you send all the runners back?

It seems easy to correct and it seems like the defense shouldn't be punished for the mistake of the umpire.

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Comp said:

They will lose their protest, Im pretty sure there is even an NFHS case play covering this exact situation. As stated, the defense is responsible for knowing the situation and playing appropriately. It also applies to a batter running on a dropped third strike when first is occupied with less than 2 outs. If the catcher tries to play on the batter and throws the ball away it is just a dumb play by the defense. They should know the situation and there is no play on the batter, they should be playing on one of the other advancing runners.

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Comp said:

I have actually had it happen in a game I was umpiring. Bases loaded, batter takes off for first on ball 3. I clearly stated for everyone to hear, thats only 3. Catcher is physically standing on top of the plate with the ball as runner from 3rd is trotting home. Catcher still standing there holding the ball on top of the plate, runner has to actually reach her foot between the catchers feet to touch the plate, the whole time I am paying very close attention to see if the runner accidentally brushes up against the catchers glove while she is touching the plate. Then the whole argument with the defensive coach starts over why the runners dont have to go back.

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