A question about stopping play for a soccer ball

[msirvine]

At our game tonight, a soccer ball was kicked on to our field from a neighbouring game into the middle of the players. A number of people on both teams starting calling "Ball!" to stop the play. However, the person with the disc (on the opposing team) didn't hear the call and threw it; it was then dropped by her teammate. Our side said it was a turnover, similar to making an errant throw after a pick call. The other team didn't argue, and play continued.

On the sidelines, a player from the other team came over and told us that, in actuality, what happened was the wrong call. When a ball comes on to the field, he said that the play is dead as soon as the first call about that ball is made. He said it was the same as when an injury call is made.

In the 11th edition, the rule (VI. C. 2.) is "The time-out is retroactive to the time of the injury, unless the injured player chooses to continue play before the time-out is called, in which case, the time-out begins at the time of the call. If the disc is in the air or the thrower is in the act of throwing at the time of the injury or of the call when the player has continued play, the time-out begins when the play is completed."

My question is whether or not this also applies to a ball on the field, like this player claimed. It seems plausible and logical, but no one on our team knew for sure.

The closest thing I could find in the rules is VII. D. 1.: "Any player recognizing a condition that endangers other players may call a technical time-out during play. The thrower may call a technical time-out during play to replace a cracked, torn, deeply gouged, creased, or punctured disc; a warped, wet or dirty disc does not qualify. The time-out begins at the time of the call. If the disc is in the air or the act of throwing at the time of the call, the time-out begins when the play is completed."

This seems to back up what he was claiming, but does anyone know this for sure? Thanks!

[lwswong]

we discussed some similar situations here:

http://tuc.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2& ... ic&t=14715

I think given that both teams called for what is a technical timeout, there is no continuation, so disc back to thrower as play was dead.

[larrypmac]

When I have played and this occurs, the call is that common sense prevails. If there's a pass in the air to a downfield receiver and there's no defender nearby and the players who are within the play are not affected by the soccer ball, then the play stands. If the ball comes on the field and several people stop, and then the handler finds an open receiver, then you send it back.

If someone yells "Ball," that indicates unsafe playing conditions. People should stop until the ball is retrieved and all extraneous players are away from the playing area.

Larry

[msirvine]

In this case, the ball landed on the field near the cutters, about 25 feet or so from the handler with the disc. She tried to pass the disc to another handler (again, away from the ball and the cutters) but it was incomplete. The pass was attempted a few seconds after the players had stopped running and yelled out "Ball!" The dropped pass seemed to have nothing to do with the ball on the field, as far as I could tell.

So do you think the play was dead before the throw (and thus it should return to the person with the disc), or should the continuation rule apply here, and it's a turn-over?

[larrypmac]

If people are stopping and yelling, the play should be reset back to the handler. If there's a long pass in the air to an open receiver and no chance that a defender could get there, then let the play stand. Otherwise, back to the thrower.

Larry