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personally, if it's not distracting to me or the batter, and he can throw strikes, he can strap a live chicken to his arm...

When we have home runs in our local league, I explain to the parents that the rulebook states that "No awards shall be made to players on the basis of comparable skills or accomplishments". I then add, "nowhere does it state that I cannot thank the parents for what they do behind the scenes" (as I hand mom the HR ball).

So you're the one...

That's not an issue for umpires to get involved with; that's for you to deal with, Coach.

I put this up there with the pitcher cannot wear sunglasses... Unless it is distracting, I am not picking this one. @Rich Ives brings up the actual ruling, but from an officials standpoint, I have no idea why that kid is wearing that arm band, so that is not something I am looking to rule on. Let the kids play, and if that coach is able to motivate his kids, I say let him... Enforcing that regulation is a matter for the league BOD to handle.

The comment should make it clear. It was added in the recent past to loosen up the judgement of the umpire about whether the pitcher was making a play. But in OBR/NCAA you can't feint to 1B or 3B so the pitcher would have to throw. "Rule 6.02(a)(4) Comment: When determining whether the pitcher throws or feints a throw to an unoccupied base for the purpose of making a play, the umpire should consider whether a runner on the previous base demonstrates or otherwise creates an impression of his intent to advance to such unoccupied base."

I still have the Douglas that is in the Buy, Sell, Trade forum. Let me know if you are interested.

I've had most of the CP's (Wilson Gold & Platinum, AA, Champion, All Star CPU4000, Douglas 13" & 15", Schutt, Adams, etc.) and I think Douglas is the best all-around CP out there if you can get the t-hooks and gap coverage. I'd not wear a Douglas without gap coverage as it hurts a lot when you take a shot off the gap without that plate being there. I love the Gold protection and fit, but I look huge in it and I'm already 240 so not a good look. The All Star fits very well and is surprisingly lower profile than you'd think also. Schutt/Adams has best breathability out there, but I hate the cheap Velcro being used. I'd love to see a Wilson Gold with D3O foam... or a Douglas with it, but I doubt this will ever happen and now that I'm out of the game, I don't have the motivation to do it myself. Best of luck!

Because the catcher ends up behind him constitutes interference? Even if the catcher wasn't hindered?

Someone on here did try this lightweight Adams CP and said it wasn't worth the funds. I believe his comment was that the padding is very thin and he wouldn't trust for anything above kiddie-ball. I have no dog in this fight, but if it were me, I'd find a used Douglas. I found one with the gap coverage and t-hooks used for around $140 and they're out there, especially this time of year.

Another great transaction with @acpar72 with acquisition of an awesome Diamond w/Belgrade pads. Also had a few summer transactions w/Aaron that were smooth & I was very pleased with mask pad sets I bought.

2019 Little League rule 2.00 Definition of Terms A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with the body while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball or with the hand or glove holding the ball. The call in your play would be based on the umpire's judgment as to whether or not the defensive player had control over the baseball. On catches of line drives, the fielder’s glove needs to be underneath the baseball to keep it from being ruled a trap. But for a ball lying on the ground, it would come down to, did the fielder have a solid grip on and around the ball. The ball could be on the ground as long as the umpire felt the fielder was in control--not just in contact with the ball. The definition doesn't specifically state the ball must be off the ground; so the umpire must decide if the fielder's hand on top of the ball meets the requirement of holding the ball securely. High school softball actually has a case play that deals with the question posed in the OP and high school baseball comes close in its definition of catch-- 2019 NFHS Softball Case Book Play 2.9.5 Situation C: F3 secures a thrown ball while it is in contact with the ground and her hand is on top of the ball. F3 turns her hand over so the ball is facing upward (a) before; or (b) after the batter-runner touches first base. RULING: In both (a) and (b) the batter-runner is out. F3 demonstrated control of the thrown ball by turning it upward. COMMENT: Umpires must determine if the fielder had control of the ball before the runner touched the base. This is a similar situation to the umpire asking to “see the ball” after a tag has been made. (2-9-5f) 2018 NFHS rule 2-9-1 NOTE: When a batted ball or a pitch is involved, the above definition of a catch applies. For any other thrown ball, the term is used loosely to also apply to a pick-up or to the trapping of a low throw which has touched the ground. A fielder may have the ball in his grasp even though it is touching the ground while in his glove.

I expected some story ending with "... and I never got my ice cream." Nothing else really matters.