This happened last night while I was umpiring a Babe Ruth 10U game:
The batter hits a nice single to RCF and hits in 2 runs. The as the ball is being returned from the outfield, the defensive coach gets frustrated with his pitcher and decides to make a change (P to 1B, 1B to C, & C to P). So as the ball gets to the short stop, he yells for time and pulls in his C & 1B. Mind you the runner has rounded 1B and is about 10' off the bag and the ball isn't close to the circle. I don't grant his time as the play isn't over, but both players leave the field anyway. Well the shortstop puts the ball down near 2B and goes to chat with the 3B. During the gear switch, the runner never returns to 1B, but doesn't proceed either. Eventually the new pitcher decides to pick up the ball and head to the mound.
I finally granted time when the pitcher found the circle, as the runner went back to base as well. That produced a very confused look on the 3B coaches face as she realized what she could have done.
Anyway I'm interested in people's opinion of the call. The ball was never truly dead, but the runner wasn't attempting to advance either. I'm glad nothing occurred because I received this game after the previous meeting of these two teams led to multiple ejections from both sides.
The batter hits a nice single to RCF and hits in 2 runs. The as the ball is being returned from the outfield, the defensive coach gets frustrated with his pitcher and decides to make a change (P to 1B, 1B to C, & C to P). So as the ball gets to the short stop, he yells for time and pulls in his C & 1B. Mind you the runner has rounded 1B and is about 10' off the bag and the ball isn't close to the circle. I don't grant his time as the play isn't over, but both players leave the field anyway. Well the shortstop puts the ball down near 2B and goes to chat with the 3B. During the gear switch, the runner never returns to 1B, but doesn't proceed either. Eventually the new pitcher decides to pick up the ball and head to the mound.
I finally granted time when the pitcher found the circle, as the runner went back to base as well. That produced a very confused look on the 3B coaches face as she realized what she could have done.
Anyway I'm interested in people's opinion of the call. The ball was never truly dead, but the runner wasn't attempting to advance either. I'm glad nothing occurred because I received this game after the previous meeting of these two teams led to multiple ejections from both sides.