game situation

Question
Dr Ambrose
        We had runners on 1st & 3rd with one out
 on the first pitch to the next batter we sent
 the runner from 1st the pitch was fouled and
 held by the catcher for strike one before the
 next pitch I asked the umpire if he called a
 foul ball he indicated byraising his hands and
 striking one hand with the other I then
 recalled the runner to first she was called
 out for leaving the base during a live ball
 the pitcher did have posestion of the ball
 and the umpire said he never called a foul ball
 but called a foul tip held so it was a live
 ball was this the correct call

Answer
Hi John,

This is a held foul tip and a live ball and it appears his signal was correct but should have been given at the time of the foul tip.  That's a minor point because either a swung at ball (strike) or held foul tip is a live ball and a foul ball is a dead ball with the umpire making a dead ball signal.

I don't know why you called your runner back without being directed by the umpire.  IMHO (and I think this is a learning experience) you should have recognized the signal for foul tip, or at least knew the ball was alive and knew your runner was entitled to advance with liability to be put out.  Don't be offended if you read my answers I'm much harder on umpires.

8-7-s the runner is out when the runner fails to keep contact with the base to which the runner is entitled until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand.

Mark