rzanew

HS Varsity. 2-man. I'm the PU. R1, R3. Fly ball to LF. R3 tagging up. Wind and light rain make it difficult for F7 to make the catch and the ball drops to the ground next to F7. I now have R3 heading home. Throw comes to F6 with no play at home. Defensive HC comes out and asked did I see BR pass R1. My main responsibility is the tag of R3, and BU has the catch/no catch, so neither one of us saw the passing. Apparently, R1 was retreating on the "caught" ball when BR rounded 1st and passed him. How can we (as a PU/BU team) see this and get the out?

This is how to make the substitution legal. As the OP was written, Player B cannot enter on defense for Player A.

No, this is not a legal reentry for Player B. NFHS 3-1-3 Any of the starting players may be withdrawn and re-enter once, . . ., provided such player occupies the same batting position whenever he is in the lineup.

If this is still LL Majors, this is not a balk. There are NO balks in LL Majors or Minors, regardless of the status of the pitcher. This could be an illegal pitch for improper disengage. I'd have to recheck the greenbook to verify.

@grayhawk Any chance you could provide a link? I couldn't find it with a simple search on referee.com.

I have a couple of questions on pitchers and their moves to first. My partner and I had differing views on these things during a recent 12U game (USSSA). 1) R1. RHP. Pitcher is set and moves his left (free) foot directly toward first and then throws. His pivot foot remained in contact with the rubber. He didn't really lift his knee, as much as opening his hips and stepped directly to first. Can a RHP move only his left leg in a step and throw to first? Or, must he move his right foot first (jump turn, jab step, step off)? 2) R1, LHP. Pitcher is set, and moves his left (pivot) foot a little toward third (like a small jab step) and then steps and throws to first. The pivot foot remained in front of the rubber. It seems he moved his left foot a little to get it behind him and "push off" toward first. Does a LHP have to move only his right (free) foot when stepping and throwing to first?

Read it this way: In addition, the committee wants to point out that if the baserunner runs more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid a tag or to hinder the defensive player he/she will be declared out. If A, then B The contranegative is "Running not more than 3 ft of a direct line between the bases to hinder the defensive player, he/she will not be called out." If not A then not B. Q.E.D.

This is a troublesome statement. The first part contradicts current rule and interpretation regarding the runner's basepath (which he/she determines). The second part is just wrong. Seems to imply that a runner can hinder a fielder as long as they don't deviate more that three feet. Ugh!

I use the Mizuno Throat Guard with my F3 V2. The velcro loops are long enough that it dangles nicely from the mask. https://www.amazon.com/Mizuno-Catchers-Helmet-Throat-Guard/dp/B00NX4ZU9Q

I agree with you both. I was surprised by R2 advancing on a "routine" fly ball. This was a first for me. When was the last time you saw (or heard about) a runner tagging and advancing on a caught infield fly?

Yes, verbalized and signaled by both of us.

16U Summer ball tournament using NHFS rules R1, R2, 0 outs. I, as BU, am in C. Infield fly rule in affect. Sunny, hot, windy conditions. High fly ball is hit toward F6 & F5. Initially F6 calls for the ball is is waiting to make the catch. Wind blowing in from Left Center. F6, F5 and F1 all moving toward the likely position the ball will fall, which keeps them moving closer to the plate. Ball is caught by F6 very close to the mound. Since F5 and F6 have moved from their original position, 3B coach calls to R2 to advance to 3rd. He advances with a not so close play at 3rd (F5 out of position but trying to cover). Defense now appeals that R2 left 2B before the catch. My question -- Who is responsible for the tag of R2 (and R1) during IFR? Since I was watching the catch (from C), my back is to 2B, and unable to see if R2 tags up after the catch. Should I have pivoted on first touch of the ball to see R2 (and not see the result of the catch attempt)? It didn't occur to me to check on the tag-up , as advancing on IFR is very rare. PU made the ruling on the appeal, as he was close to inline with the catch and R2.

Not likely. DHC likely didn't know the rule, either. And just accepted PU's explanation.

Recently worked a 12U game with a completely new partner. This is regional rec-league post-season game with umpires from different leagues, played using USSSA ruleset (OBR based). Never worked with this person before. I am BU and he is at the plate. R1, R3, outs don't matter. RHP; F5 is straddling the bag holding the runner at third. I had noticed that F5 has one foot in foul territory, but disregard it; trying to not be OOO, and waiting for OHC to say something (based on recommendations in other threads posted here). RHP comes set and starts his motion to deliver to the plate, and the PU comes up yelling "Balk!". He continues to describe it as a "fielder's balk" since F5 is not fully in fair territory. Awards R3 home, and R1 to second. I motioned to have a conference with him, where I tried to explain that there is no such thing as a "fielder's balk" and that is the wrong call. After a brief conversation, he essentially said he is sticking with the call and not changing it. DHC eventually comes out and asks PU about the call, and is satisfied by the description and goes back to the dugout. When your partner makes an obvious incorrect ruling, what do you do? Did I overstep by discussing with him on the field? Alternatively, should I be more assertive in getting the call corrected? If the DHC won't say the word "protest", do we just eat this call and discuss post-game? I've had this happen a couple of times this season. How far do I go to ensure we get the play right? (including seeking to overturn partner's rule interpretation errors)

https://www.mlb.com/video/hernandezs-rbi-triple/c-2092125183 Ball never left the field of play. "Award" was simply what Hernandez achieved on the play.