Post by cj on Sept 7, 2012 4:21:45 GMT -5
While I'm probably the only nut to notice this, back in my day of umpiring (a long time ago), when a batter hit a home run out of the park, we were taught to wait till the batter had finished circling the bases before giving the pitcher a new ball.
What I've noticed, and for all I've noticed, now as soon as he gets back to the plae after moving towards either first base or third base to back up the base umpire, long before the batter has circled the bases, the umpire either gives the catcher a new ball or tosses it to the pitcher. Of course it's no big deal and has no effect on the actual playing of the game because the ball cannot become alive until the batter completes his circuit around the bases and the pitcher steps on the rubber but I just wonder when this became standard practice as it seems to be. Personally, I still prefer the old way!
What I've noticed, and for all I've noticed, now as soon as he gets back to the plae after moving towards either first base or third base to back up the base umpire, long before the batter has circled the bases, the umpire either gives the catcher a new ball or tosses it to the pitcher. Of course it's no big deal and has no effect on the actual playing of the game because the ball cannot become alive until the batter completes his circuit around the bases and the pitcher steps on the rubber but I just wonder when this became standard practice as it seems to be. Personally, I still prefer the old way!