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They don't have a clue how a pitcher gets comfortable while engaging the rubber and is not engaged until the pivot foot is parallel and touching the rubber.

I should add that he said it's because he was in front of the rubber and not behind. I said, I think he was more on the side. When I asked the field umpire he said slightly forward from the side. He was backing the other guy and i have no problem with that. I said, what if he's on mound but close to the grass in front and he said that's ok.

Umpire has not ever been in proximity to a rule book or clinic. He seems adept at pulling sht out of his hat. (halfway clean anyway)

Show your math, I get approx 12" closer to HP. It's martini time so not going to do the delta for 2B - 1B distance. 😀

https://photos.app.goo.gl/44wa8KZxmVHQdLfu9 I've tried to add a photo for reference but I'll explain. 14u Babe Ruth. Right handed pitcher walks up mound and stops before and little to side of rubber. Looking at the runner on third who is standing watching just off the base. Pitcher does a little pump fake towards third before going to step on rubber to get sign. Everyone can see that he isn't on rubber, field umpire right behind mound doesn't say anything. Home umpire calls balk, I explain he isn't on the rubber and doesn't have to step off to fake throw. Umpire says balk on deceiving throwing motion in proximity of rubber.

So, second base will be 6 inches closer to the others and a little over 3 inches closer to home base. Who will have the advantage, the BR trying to steal the base or the F2 with the shorter throws?

I will say no. The label 90 feet is in a red/brown color and is on the outside of the diamond. Plus, it looks like same color as the baseline.

Yes, a common question here but we don't expect newcomers to use the search function. Right out of the OBR, MLB's rulebook: "5.08 Comment .......................................APPROVED RULING: One out, Jones on third, Smith on first, and Brown flies out to right field. Two outs. Jones tags up and scores after the catch. Smith attempted to return to first but the right fielder’s throw beat him to the base. Three outs. But Jones scored before the throw to catch Smith reached first base, hence Jones’ run counts. It was not a force play." It's what we call a "time play".

Runners on 1st and 3rd, 1 out. Fly ball hit to the outfield as the runner breaks from 1st in an attempt to steal 2nd. Ball is caught and the throw goes to 1st, trying to double up the runner. In the process, the runner from 3rd tags up legally and touches home plate before the runner is doubled off at first. Does the run count?

1b and 3B used to be centered on the 90' base path. They moved into the infield but 2B wasn't moved. But don't get used to it in OBR. It's moved/moving to back edge alignment in the International League second half of this year as a test. https://www.mlb.com/news/new-rule-changes-coming-to-minor-leagues-in-2026 Since I already put my foot in mouth once today I'll ask instead of stating fact... Putting aside the arrows above start at the edge and not PoP of HP, am I wrong in seeing the above improperly shows 90' to front of the base when it's actually 90' from PoP to the back of the base?

Anyone have the research as to why the three 'outside' bases use the edges of the base where as the center of second base that is used?

NCAA wouldn't like it but MLB doesn't seem to care where the stutter step goes. It gives no advantage.

Separately, is there an issue that from windup with runners on his step was forward*? (1) The Windup Position The pitcher shall stand facing the batter, his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate and the other foot free. From this position any natural movement associated with his delivery of the ball to the batter commits him to the pitch without interruption or alteration. He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot. * This is his norm with no runners on. This was the first time all year he pitched from the windup with R3 only or bases loaded.

Maybe. I see Barksdale saying "oh, you're doing windup? Ok. Cool. Next pitch." from behind plate. Then 3B coach making noise that interrupted the game which prompts the crew to get together and subsequently declare a balk.

The base points would still be used. Corner bases with corner on point. 2B centered on point. Yeah, I knew you'd get me on that

I don't think they didn't want to call it. They obviously agreed there was a stutter step when they got together. They just weren't focused on the sit and a pitcher's delivery which has you pay close attention to.

The base points would still be used. Corner bases with corner on point. 2B centered on point.

Yeah, 2B would be difficult to place with 18” 1B and 15” 3B 😂 To add: baseball is bad a geometry anyway. Exhibit #1 - home plate.

Yeah, 2B would be difficult to place with 18” 1B and 15” 3B 😂

I'm not great with geometry...but I feel like all of the bases would need to be bigger. Yes?

I can see how/why you’re reading it this way; instead, I’m reading it from a different way, wherein the (permanent) presence of 18” bases – including 1B – does not disqualify a venue (field) and prohibit (or prevent) a game from commencing. You just know there are strict NFHS Apologists (as umpires) who will take the strict letter-of-the-law to its full degree, and will not let a game start – or worse, will forfeit it – if a double-base isn’t installed / installable at 1B. By including this optional provision, and codifying it, this allows High Schools to use neutral-site, professional or contractual venues without burdening… resources… to accommodate this new HS rule. All that is how it should be. Hopefully they update 1-2-9 appropriately to allow 18" bases at 2B/3B.

Play in question. I read this is "Yeah, I saw him do it. Don't want to call it since it's ticky tack but now that the Offense called it out I have to call it." Like a slight F1 shoulder turn after set in a 12U game. That the pitch then got counted (as a strike) and not wiped off, only to then have it turn into an a K, and have to be unwound is where the real issue and EJ came from. Balk Undclared Coach Called it out SF vs Colorado 2026.07.11.mov

And more exposed to rolling ankles when you hit raised (or mountainous) grass-dirt lips. I used to wear flat soles shoes exclusively off field. Got away from it with back/hip issues (that they probably had nothing to do with) but am now getting back to them now as my year winds down.

goodness gracious, double bounce effect, sprains/strains/sore joints, you are getting decrepit/aged/elderly/ancient/etc now. u didn't worry about that stuff at a certain phase in life. pretty soon comes the dinosaur or the i'm not as good as i "once" was, but "once", i'm as good as i ever was, phase. what about that old Vann's pair i have heard mentioned before.

since it is that former dirt ball D1 coach to the D1 guys every year and that was a PITA to the D1 guys, i think requesting a crew review for a balk and getting one (just like a, did the ball hit his hands or foot on a pitch, or did the ball off the bat hit off the player's foot crew review situation) was a neat idea. he got his answer and then used his cheap shot on an umpire walking away (and where does that line always come in - umpire walking away, just like player walking away). ejection could not happen to a nicer dirt ball guy.