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Men's League game today. I had a very close play at the plate and banged the runner out. Offensive bench (good-naturedly) says, "I think I want to see the replay on that one.". I pause, appear to be in thought, then turn to the dugout and announce, "Upon further review the call on the field is confirmed. Play ball." We had a great day from that point on.

Maybe MLB teams and their networks should start scouting D3 broadcasters.

Puns. Okay, so since the far away days of "Optimist," I've been asked repeatedly to make an ejection compilation. @KLAH316 and @tjwoelfel13 finally convinced me to do it. So here it is. This one is for you, members of U-E. My biggest and only fans. There are exactly 80 ejections in this video. Enjoy.

So, I had a first in 11 years today - a runner passing another runner. The question is, what is the appropriate mechanic? Sitch - I'm PU. 13U Travel, OBR. Bases Loaded, 1 out. Lazy flyball to F7; F7 drops the ball. R1, believing F7 caught the ball retreats toward first. BR, who has been busting it out of the box, rounds first and easily passes R1 by 2-3 steps before even realizing R1 was there. R1 eventually made it second because F7's throw was wild. My mechanic - I pointed toward BR, hammered, and vocalized - "He's out! That runner is out for passing another runner!" Once all play had ceased, I called "Time" and pointed to BR (standing on first), hammered, and re-stated "He's out for passing another runner." Is there really anything else that needs to be done on this play? I think I handled it the right way, but I am wondering if there is anything taught elsewhere that suggests otherwise.

Hopefully in your best stadium announcer voice. Or, at least a Vin Scully imitation.

In front of the backstop fence, or outside/behind it? If in front of the backstop fence, I'd shut that down immediately, and civilly say, "Folks (Coach), I don't want anyone behind the catcher during warmups, am I clear? I don't even venture back there." If behind the backstop fence, then I'd start to inquire as to why his dugout has a lesser vantage point, or if he's planning on joining the rest of the game, or if he'd like to stay there for the rest of the game, or something along those lines.

Your stuff is good! Take credit when credit is due. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A bit verbose, perhaps, but you did the 2 crucial things: verbalized the call when it occurred and left the ball live so that the defense could play on other runners. Well done.

The first clip (which actually happened second) is a balk because it's a jump/jab step and commits F1 to throw to 1B. I called this last weekend, and coach wanted to know why it doesn't count as stepping off. The answer is: legally disengaging requires the pivot foot on the ground before the free foot moves or the hands separate. We're not too technical on the hands, but when that free foot starts toward 1B before the pivot is on the ground, that's a balk every time when he fails to throw. Too bad they didn't show a replay of the second balk, because that is a crucial balk to get with bases loaded, especially in OBR (in FED F1 may not throw to a base from the windup, so it is less common). From the windup, any movement of hands or feet (other than a momentary adjustment of the ball in glove) commits F1 to pitch to the batter. Here, F1 separated his hands, which committed him to pitch. Then he failed to pitch (tried to step off), which is, as Cricket points out, a start/stop balk. If you don't get this and a runner gets picked, you've given F1 a significant advantage not intended by the rules.

I'm BU. R1. He gets picked, dead to rights, and gets in a rundown. It goes back and forth a couple of times, then the throw to F3 deflects off his glove. He stops to look around for it, and R1 runs into him. I kill it and give R1 2nd. This game was televised, so when I got home last night, I do what I normally do and download the video so I can critique myself. I'm watching this play, and the commentator says, "And they're going to get the runner for interference...no, wait, he's getting second on the obstruction. Because the fielder didn't have the ball, he can't get in the way of the runner, and that's why he gets second base on obstruction. Interference (emphasis original) is when the runner does something illegal." I was stunned.

Well. he gets an A for rules knowledge,( graded on a curve against other broadcasters) but an F in focus and paying attention.

I only recommend that veterans use this advanced mechanic, but I nailed it yesterday without even thinking. It's the "I owe you a beer" mechanic. In my worst gaff of the season, my partner picked me up and nobody from either team even blinked. Varsity D2 HS game, I am on the bases. It's 1-0 visitors in the third. With R1 and R2 (I'm in C) the batter checks his swing but dinks into the infield, so we have a slow roller coming right at me. It gets by F1 and I decide to aggressively get into the working area but that puts me in a direct path of the charging F6's throw to first. He barehands it and makes a sidearm motion to throw. I duck down and turn towards first and see...nothing. F6 faked the throw and then wheeled and threw to third and there is a loud cheer. I AM SCREWED. I look at my partner who is making the out call from foul territory about 15 feet up the line. It was the third out and inning over. I give the mechanic and we move on. EDIT TO ADD: The out at third was R2 who had rounded and they threw behind him and tagged him out. Visitors end up winning 1-0 on my partner's obstruction call at the plate in the top of the second inning. Two big mistakes. First, with the slow roller, I would have been better off staying back and letting the play happen in front of me. Second, I turned thinking he was going to throw when I should have tracked the ball out of his hand which still would have given me plenty of time to see the play at first, if he had actually thrown. This would have at least allowed me to see the fake and then rule on the play at third. Luckily, I only sucked on that play and it didn't hurt us.

As I'm sure you know, that's a local league add-on rule. The applicable LL rule just requires that the runner slide or attempt to avoid contact. 7.08 - Any runner is out when - (a)(3) the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag; Our local LL has the (stupid, IMO) "must slide" rule. 7.08 (a)(3) should do the job just fine without them needing to meddle with it. So what happens when a kid breaks his leg because the umpire said "I have to slide"? Who do the parents sue then? First of all, an umpire doesn't tell anyone to slide or not, just as we don't tell anyone to "pick that ground ball up and throw it to first." What we DO do (heh heh, I said 'doodoo') is judge the play, based on the rules we're provided for that age/group. In this case, since it's a league rule that says "must" slide, then sue the league. Now, in reality, what the parents should do is stop being helicopter parents, take lawyers off their speed dial, and live their lives by the One True Gold Rule: S#!+ Happens.© The kid broke his leg 'cause he doesn't know how to slide properly. Or because maybe he hit the inevitable divots that are in the RH batters box. Or maybe because it was just dumb, bad luck. Whatevs. People don't need to sue over every thing that happens. That's why one carries insurance. (Please note that I have copyrighted the One True Golden Rule, and in an ironic turn, will sue for its improper use.)

Working up here in Minnesota, our association only wants the rotation up to 3rd on a clean hit to the outfield. You'll get nailed in any evaluations if you don't.

Good point Rich. I sometimes wonder "What does this guy have against me?" after one of your snarky responses. Now it makes sense. I am guilty of the "all coaches are (not necessarily scumbag) rats" mentality - because the number one priority of a coach is winning the game. I have no problem with a rat trying to steal a piece of cheese. It's one of the reasons I have a job. It's all good. And I too would put Rich's rules knowledge above most umpires (and just about all coaches).

Remember, his agent is on the phone to him in the dugout reminding him that ERA is all that matters in the upcomming draft. They could care less about someone going right at the losing team by throwing the pee out of the ball and making them hit it right to the fielders or maybe luckily scoring another run or two. They only care about the ERA and the fact he has given up 3 runs already. That 2 to 1 strikeout ratio is what they want to see and that ERA no matter whether you try to mess around and be too fine. Round in the draft and $$$$ comming up shortly is all that matters, said the agent. Don't give in to them by piping it. Play around and make them chase something said the agent.

No written rule, just common courtesy (which in general is becoming less and less common)... I would definitely have let you have your say before allowing him to interject, especially if you were as courteous as you say.

I guess that's why I can't seem to get any Varsity. The JV pool his hit and miss.....mostly miss. I know I've gotten better over the past two-three years.. That said, I've worked with several guys these past few weeks that I worked with 2-3 years ago. All guys who have been doing this for years longer than I have. Is it possible they've gotten worse? They certainly haven't improved. It's getting frustrating now. Or, I'm getting paired with raw rookies. It's amazing how little training is needed to do sub-varsity around here. Working games with some of these new guys might be more embarrassing than frustrating. Looking ahead I've got a few good partners I know coming up in the next few weeks. Can't wait!! You and I both know that some assigners are not all warm and fuzzy. The time you are putting in now, especially the face time, makes a difference. I have noticed an uptick in the quality of the games on my schedule of late. I spoke with a local asigner who said..... "That's because you don't suck" He would never know unless he saw me at clinics and on the field. Those other guys will not advance, and when you step up to the next level, be grateful for the experience of knowing what not to be "that guy" and that the face time you have makes a difference. BTW, I think we're together on the holiday tournament.

Working the bases is not a walk in the park. Plate work requires total focus on calling pitches, and some 'secondary' assignments to support your base partner. Before everyone gets their jocks in a wad, by saying secondary, I don't mean to diminish the importance of the plate umpires other responsibilities in addition to calling balls and strikes. I only mean, that if the plate umpire calls an exceptionally good game, misses very few/if any balls and strikes, he will generally not get any heart burn from anyone. But, if the plate guy is struggling, the whole game can fall off the tracks, quickly. You will find that if trouble is going to find you, it will be when you work the bases. On the bases, you can have 5 - 10 really close, critical calls to make, that are very visible to everyone. You have to work to stay focused, unlike the plate where every pitch requires a decision, you may go several batters on the bases and not have to make a single call. Another challenge with working the bases is that you have to work hard to get angle on every call, even though it may be 20 feet away. You move a lot, but have to always stop to see the plays, and then be ready to move again, to get to any other possible plays. You can study for hours, reading about mechanics and coverages, but doing it is the only way to learn. Knowing where to be is important, but it must become instinctual, almost second nature. That instinctual, automatic movement only comes from years of repetition, refining your movements so that it looks effortless. My advice, FWIW, don't be so quick to take the dish all the time. I try to do 3 base jobs for every 1 plate. It's very easy to just take the plate, particularly when the less experienced guys don't like working the dish. Also, I would study the rule book more than mechanics in the early stages of your career. Learn how to work the bases, by doing the bases, and get evaluated and observed as much as you can. Take the advice and improve.

Not sure why the OP even asked! @Jocko has summarized the standard coverage for all plays in the infield.

Bounced pitch is a dead ball. Or, batted ball that hits the plate is foul. Or, this question I got at a plate meeting, 10U: "Is this the last age group where the infield fly applies?" That last one is my vote.

In my world TBI is a Traumatic Brain Injury. That definition would seem to me to offer an explanation for his otherwise inexplicable behavior and actions.

Not on the infield. No rotation if the ball stays on the infield. You should be moving up past the plate 1st base side to watch for interference on the force play at 2nd, and then watch for pulled foot swipe tag at 1st. As BU I pregame that my partners should not rotate on a ball that stays in the infield. I also let my partners know when I am PU that I won't be rotating on a ball that stays on the infield.

Personal preference, I came from using TW's and prefer fabric, washable pads. Sent using Tapatalk

I missed one pitch. 1@1000 is pretty good ratio. Lmao That's not what I was told...

@Jocko I agree! Had this happen the other night. One catcher was sticking (framing) the pitches towards the bottom of the zone and the other catcher was really pulling his glove up into the zone. It really was the "tale of two catchers". Guess who got the benefit of the doubt most of the time

I agree, halt the game and get field management involved. What is the down side of halting the game? This is a 12U youth game, not a HS Varsity or higher game.

Rich, same league I already mentioned, I had a kid that was absolutely hell bent to wear his "lucky" necklace. I told him he had to take it off if he wanted to play. He said he absolutely wanted to keep it on. I told him that was fine, I will take you off the sub list and you can wear it on the bench. Guess where the necklace went? Yes, Rich, I checked my kids every game for jewelry.

Here's one I actually did use in a PONY game years ago.   I have the bases and a close play at first. I called the runner out.   The first base coach goes nuts saying it was a tie and that the tie goes to the runner.   I walked over to the coach quietly and said in a low voice, "They changed that one last year. Now the runner has to beat the ball."   The coach replied, "Oh, yeah I remember. Good call."