Teachable - Liven on a Sparger with Catch Timing

In this Teachable, tmac points to 2B Umpire Shane Livensparger's patience and timing on a play at second base in Tampa Bay wherein the fielder may or may not have caught a ball. Although Livensparger's mechanic, in real-time, appears relatively quick, in reviewing the play more in-depth, we see that the umpire allowed the play to fully develop before rendering a decision.

A ground ball to Rays shortstop Wander Franco starts this play; with a runner on first, the play is to second and 2B Umpire Livensparger recognizes that and gets into position to officiate it. As Brandon Lowe lunges to field Franco's soft toss, Mariners baserunner R1 Eugenio Suarez enters the screen and jogs toward the base.

Livensparger follows the off-balance fielder Lowe, who has barehanded the throw, before ultimately dropping the baseball, using a safe mechanic to communicate the catch/no catch determination (by virtue of no catch, thus, the force out attempt also is unsuccessful).

Recall that "A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it" and that "It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball."

U2 Livensparger, having ruled that Lowe dropping the ball was not a voluntary and intentional release of the ball, signals safe, communicating that in his judgment, Lowe did not completely control the ball as required by rule.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Umpire timing on catch/no catch/bobble/transfer decision at second base (CCS)