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The Fed Case book has an example of the batter legally switching during an at-bat: (6.1.1 F under pitching) and concludes an ambidexterous pitcher cannot switch in response. He/she has to wait for the next batter. But the switch by the batter is legal. I vaguely remember another reference but I can't find the cite right now. I mean, if you are going to get one wrong you picked a fairly rare one

This is a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" (potential) play. With this as D1 (ACC), it's 4-man. At first blush, I'd be prodding the U1 to react much, much more expediently than he did. Nearly the entire right side of the infield heads towards the dugout to chase that pop fly, there is ZERO chance of it becoming fair, and U1 has no R1 to watch for potential tag-up/play-on. So, he needs to haul ass, even if PU is supposed to be primary AOC responsibility. This is where manual doctrine fails or undermines us. If this had been R3, then I could excuse the PU from not going all the way to the dugout rail, but with R2 (only), there's nothing that trips in one's head that says an advance from R2 to plate is going to happen. Nothing. Pundits and casual observers can opine that "The pitcher should have been covering the plate!", but alas, pitchers are morons, and even if his follow-through takes him dramatically to the 3B side, F1 typically is not going to chase after a foul ball to the dugout. This one did. I can only envision a really savvy F6 realizing what's happening, and hauling ass to the plate to cover. And that brings us to our umpires... with PU and U1 in Foul Territory, that far off the plate, and U3 watching the touch of 3B by R2, then I could see a really aware and experienced U2 hauling ass to the plate across the infield and "saving the crew" on a play at the plate. 🤷‍♂️ However, with no players – other than the R2 running to and thru the plate – present at the plate, then the PU staying physically with the ball (in the fielder's glove) will have to suffice.

That’s a disservice to the game – at that contextual level, if I can be frank. I’m all for the cost savings, certainly, but the CCA, in and of itself, is not the be-all-end-all compendium of umpiring. It’s just a book 📕, and like any other book, falls short because it cannot convey the tactile, temporal components of umpiring. And, because it’s predominately by-and-for college officiating, there are aspects to the High School game that should be addressed. I am not saying that the CCA Manual should cover it. Instead, what should happen is a whoooooole buncha assigners and “association heads” have to get off their collective acronyms and start physically training guys. No more relying on zoom meetings, no more hiding in classrooms and VFW / Community Center conference rooms. Those are only a part of the much more crucial process. If you’re pulling dues off guys and calling yourself an assigner, then you are obligated to train your staff.

Do no forget that humans are influenceable, corruptible, self-centered, subjective beings. Computers are perfect, objective, neutral machines that do exactly what influenceable, corruptible, self-centered, subjective beings tell them to do.

I wonder if said coordinator actually works as an umpire or just coordinates. I can't keep track of how many balls zip pass the outside of my mask when I'm in the slot. This coordinator's suggestion puts you IN the line of fire. The slot gives us an element of safety (prayerfully, we're behind a good catcher) as well as a good view of the plate. Just my opinion. You gotta do what works for you.

I don't think anyone disputes that it's a better look, but at what cost? A $90 - $250 game fee? No thanks. I'll stick to the slot.

I try to shut it down early. Whenever it's about the other team, stop it. I'll start by asking the coach to help out and take care of it. Usually they agree. When I get an answer like "What did they say?" or "I didn't hear anything". I'll just tell them "There shouldn't be any negative comments directed at the other team." Next step. walk up to the dugout between innings. Tell the kids calmly. "look guys, you know how this works. Cheer for your guys.Nothing about the other team from your dugout, OK? That usually stops it, rarely does it go to a bench warning, and ejection for any further nonsense. Stopping it the first time you hear it also stops the inevitable first question..."But what about them?? They've been doing it the whole game. I'm OK with the comments like "Leave it for the worms", "That's 6 in a row", 'NOOOO NEVER" .. But just like our cues for ejection, when it gets personal, I try to stop it. ... "Give him a bucket he's throwing up" (one of my favorites, but over the top for high school).."noodle arm", etc. have to be addressed I have mixed feelings on stuff like "Rattled", or Nightmare" and the like. I tend to let that go early. but if it escalates to anything else where I've talked to the coach and/or the bench. then those comments need to stop also.

I struggle with why every game isn't this way. I understand why but call me an optimist at heart.

Woof! 🐕 I’ve seen lesser uppercuts knock down heavyweights in the ring. 😬 Ain’t nothing soft about that big ol’ grapefruit, is there?

Preach brother. And not just "pro" sports. Anything that has enough currency, whether that be attention, money, or something else, crosses from sport into entertainment. College baseball and LLWS included.

As someone at IBM said in 1979 (!) "A computer can never be held accountable". This can intentionally be used to one's advantage - for good or bad. Personally, I see that happening right now with ABS. https://simonwillison.net/2025/Feb/3/a-computer-can-never-be-held-accountable/

Not entirely true. A computer doesn't sprout wings and fly out the window just because I told it to. ... I have to physically open the window and hurl it out to get it to... ~ fly ~.

Not “bush league” at all. It’s a veritable tactic, and with how… “vigorously” (?) some clubs / programs alert and adjust themselves when faced with a LHB to defend it, it’s worth utilizing. Didn’t Tsun Szu say something about inducing panic in your enemy, and let them defeat themselves? Say you’re a HS team, behind by a run, and you’ve got R1. Instead of bunting, why not try this? Send your next batter up to get in the LHB box. This shields the R1 from F2’s sight, reducing backpicks, and gives R1 a “screened” jump against F2’s throw. Then, once your Runner is standing on 2B, switch your Batter back to RHB box. If your Batter is well coached or disciplined, he’ll reduce his chances of BI when R2 steals 3B. Once standing on 3B (now R3), you can have the Batter stay RHB, and potentially set up a steal of Home, or a safety squeeze. Or, switch the Batter back to LHB and increase your chances that a ball put in play to the right side of the infield will score R3. See the game within the game? All legal. Not shenanigans. Please understand @UAME, I’m hot heaping on ya, but do you now see how much we dig our heels in when we don’t know the rules comprehensively? That, when confronted with the very situation that we only have a marginal, tenuous knowledge or understanding of, how defensive and inflexible we get? We (the umpire community) do a 💩 job of demonstrating and explaining the Rules for the… not “a”, the variety of learning types in the landscape of umpires that will be upholding those Rules. How ‘bout a diagram? How ‘bout a web article, with photos/illustrations? How ‘bout a video? No no! We’re far more perseverating on determining that eye-black is gang intimidation (how ‘bout some photos or illustrations?), and cramming that in the latest one printing per year paper tome of the year! At least NCAA has a digital version, emailed updates & notices, and the videos ta boot. That should be, in this day and age, a minimum standard.

Joe Gambler has no problem losing a bet to a flawed computer outcome that has no basis in the rules, but God forbid a human makes a call and “cheats” him out of his winnings.

Somewhat but stops short of EJ. It "highly recommends" to substitute for the player - which you can't do in CBO (most common batting order in 12U and below).

In my postulated play and the actual OP we are getting into/got into Carl Childress territory: "I hope this doesn't happen in your game".