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I'd be surprised if @JimKirk hadn't already done the cost/benefit analysis on this. Considering they don't carry it, I'm guessing the answer is "not as much of a killing as you're suggesting"

8u machine pitch...I'm guessing there's obstruction on every hit ball.

Maybe the adults in the room need to be reminded of this. They probably are the same kind of people who have cutthroat games of Candyland.

It most certainly does, and I quite clearly address it. His retreat path is to home plate, and he follows that path. Just because you choose to ignore things that don't fit your narrative doesn't mean they're not present. These are ridiculously rare plays, so it's best to just use your best judgment in that scenario and see if someone decides to protest. As said before, sometimes you just need to umpire. If you can't handle that notion, find another line of work. For the college video of the home stand off - if F2 had actually made some kind of tag attempt or chased the runner, the runner would be called out. He didn't, so I think the ump is correct here. As it turns out, the runner being cute caused a double play. I'd say justice is served and all is well.

Since Mr. beerguy55 brought it up-- Yes, a stolen base was credited to a base runner who advanced a base on a putout for a few seasons in the 1890s. To be precise it was in the scoring rules in 1892 and rescinded in 1897. It was not only on flyouts but also on ground outs that a stolen base was awarded--what today we refer to as productive outs. But those rules were gone in 1898. Believe it or not there is an entry for stolen base in Wikipedia and it actually gives a short history of the scoring rule for stolen bases.

We are. I didn't think you were, but I wanted to make it clear that I want to know when I overlook things. My thoughts aren't always popular, but I believe them to be logical by the written rule book! As far as the line extending, no, I am saying the exact opposite. It isn't even actually a line, it is a line segment with definitive points on each end of it: the runner is one point and the base is the other. This also supports my claim that retreating backwards can, in some circumstances, be considered deviating from the base path.

Hobbes...pitching? Am I picking up what you are putting down here, brother? ~Dawg P.S. I am having a seriously difficult time processing the need for umpires of ANY kind on an 8U machine pitch ballfield. Curious about your market, @NGuzman...do you guys have a deep roster of trained umpires that you're able to cover all levels of amateur ball in the market to INCLUDE 8U machine pitch? I'd hate to think there's some varsity, Legion or senior showcase out there without umpires but, there's a guy on the 8U machine pitch field...By the way, all you LL brothers? I still love you guys...nuttin' but love, seriously. However, I am now putting 8U machine pitch umpires into the P1 slot of umpires I hold in the highest esteem with LL brothers now P2. God bless you, 8U brothers and I hope you all know there is a WORLD of amateur baseball awaiting you beyond 8U.

you just made me look up "vituperation"....now is my word for the day, thank you!

Ummmm...8u machine pitch and an umpire. That's precious.

Can I toss an observation in ? player #25 is he not guilty of interference? he does inadvertently obstruct the catcher from a path to the runner.

FWIW, I wasn't aiming anything at you (or anyone on here). I like how these are being enforced (or should have been in the NCAA play w/ runner called out) but the rules, as written, don't support it, for example, I think Ichiro exceeded the 3 foot base path margin between himself and HP when the tag attempt started. Re: the baseline extends forever ("around the world like a football goal line" - if that's what you meant). Not sure I buy that is what the rules say but I don't want to argue it (my Italian is too poor). Regardless, I think we're on the same page (as usual in these things): Yeppers. That's it.

I tend to agree. For me, if a runner is somewhere between first and second, but let's say not directly between the bases...maybe 5 feet towards the outfield, he has two real choices. At time of tag attempt his basepath is between him and second base. If he were to retreat, then his basepath should be between him and first base. (as opposed to an infinite line)...so if he moves three feet backwards, he is deviating three feet from his path to first base (IMO). Between first and home is similar, and easier to administer I think, as he's typically going to be on or close to the line anyway...his path is either to first, or to home, so he's really not going to deviate if he goes straight back to the plate. And it doesn't really matter...the defense simply needs to touch first base. This would be no different on a b/r that overruns first base, but misses it...he can run to the warning track for all I care because F3 just needs to touch first base. As far as when he misses home plate, and is between the plate and the dugout...I'd take a different tact, and not worry about basepath if he's not moving to the plate. If he retreats to the dugout he's abandoned running the bases, not much different than the batter leaving the dirt around the plate on a U3K.