Yesterday I was umping the bases in a middle school game while observing a rookie plate ump when:
(1) Passed ball on 3rd strike , off catcher's mitt and heading toward on-deck circle.
(2) On-deck batter calmly scooped up ball and flipped to catcher.
(3) Catcher calmly threw to 1st to retire batter.
Inning ended, rookie ump asked me what he should have done
. I responded : "While we had offensive interference once the on-deck intentionally picked up the ball, the play had a 'happy ending' "
![8]](http://www.refstripes.com/forum/Smileys/classic/cool.gif "Cool")
The coach was told to tell his players not to be 'helpfull'. We didn't credit the on-deck batter with an assist.
!
