clawdad

Make no mistake, I would have no issue with them playing straight up baseball by the LL rulebook; no waivers, no local rules. I have even advised coaches whose teams are getting slaughtered that "you can end the game early if you wish" (meaning forfeit). But none of them bite. They would rather continue to put their players through the wringer, have the score run up on them to "teach their players a lesson", and get themselves pissed off in the process. Then listen to the parents and coaches complain that the games are taking too long. Meanwhile, I'm out in the blazing sun from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in my plate gear. I guess I could always call from behind F1

Just to be clear, you're talking about the Minor Division, right? Implementing a 5-run rule in the Major Division (or above) would require a waiver. Personally, I let it play out, because playing it out is more fun than not play it out, especially in a game that goes walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, strikeout, strikeout, walk, walk, ball hit into play. When baseball happens in an event largely devoid of baseball, I don't want to stop it. The downside I can see is someone getting hurt and questioning if proper procedure was followed. Minors- for sure. They wanted to use it for Majors, and I advised them that they would need a waiver. I am not exactly sure if they got it or not.

You and sdix present it just like I figured. Now I just have to get the rest of the board convinced.

That's part of the reason I asked. The board members (and Managers/Coaches) each have differing ideas as how it should implemented (I stated those in my OP). I wanted some feedback so I can go back to them with what the generally accepted application of the 5-run limit is. They decided on a 5 run/inning with open last inning to speed games up (which I agree with), but they couldn't agree on HOW it should be used. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My bad, ...I misread that no problem

And it's not used once they are "really" playing baseball. It's an imperfect rule to deal with imperfect play and trying to make sure both teams get to bat. It's not "unfair" as the rule applies equally to both teams. I'm not a huge fan of the rule, but I have seen games where my only reaction to the rule was "thank god they have that rule or thiis would be more painful than it is . . ." Ain't it the truth. That's part of the reason I asked. The board members (and Managers/Coaches) each have differing ideas as how it should implemented (I stated those in my OP). I wanted some feedback so I can go back to them with what the generally accepted application of the 5-run limit is. They decided on a 5 run/inning with open last inning to speed games up (which I agree with), but they couldn't agree on HOW it should be used.

LLB rule set. Our league is preparing to have our mandatory Manager/Coach meeting next week. One of the questions that I'm sure will come up is the 5 run per inning rule. I am looking for clarification on how it is implemented. Do you stop play immediately after the 5th run scores, or do you allow play to relax and then stop and switch sides? Also - on a situation where more than 5 runs could score (say a Grand Slam when the Offensive team already has 3 runs) I was told to let the kids run the bases and celebrate the HR, but only score the 5 runs allowed under the limit. I would appreciate any guidance on this

This story was on MLB Network's Hot Stove the other day. I thought it would wind up here to let us discuss it. A few things I thought of just for the sake of discussion: 1. If the runner coming home knocks the ball out of F2's glove with his hand (like the A-Rod play at 1B a couple years ago), what's the call? If the runner coming home lowers the boom and knocks the ball out of F2's glove, what's the call? Why is it different? The intent and result of both is the same - knocking the ball loose. 2. I know one is a play at the plate, but why not allow the runner to plow over the fielder making a play at the bases? You can't score a run if you don't safely reach or touch each base so why not let them bowl over F3 to try and reach 1B? 3. They could start calling obstruction or interference on those type of plays. It's already defined under OBR (I'm not going to quote it, I think we all know what it says). To an extent, we already have to make a judgement call on OBS or INT, and MC under FED, so why can't they make a judgement on this type play? Again, these are just for discussion's sake. I do lean to the side of removing the collisions at the plate, though.

Nice video, good example. Nice commentary from the stands, too. "He's in the box!"

The discussion can only help make us better. I know it would be a stretch for any F3 to do this, but.... The double play would have been obvious and/or likely, but F3 decided not to even make an attempt to get the out on the BR (by taggging BR, or stepping on 1B, ar any other way). F3 just didn't go for an out on the BR, instead he made the throw home to try and get R3. I think I agree with you - no double play attempt even though it was the easy/smart play, and interference by BR on the throw home. BR out and R3 goes back. I appreciate the input.

in my second example, I pictured something like this: BR hits to F3. F3, for whatever reason, doesn't try to get the BR out (Why? I don't know. But I guess it's plausible). Instead, F3 throws home and BR interferes by sticking his hand out to interrupt the throw.

That was how I read it on its face. After Called3rdStrike's reply though, I read more into the OP than what was there (I do that sometimes), and that led me to come up with my situations. For discussion's sake: Am I correct in that what the BR interferes with F3 doing could make a difference? If so, are my suituations above ruled correctly?

In the second situation, you have a B/R who interferes with a play after he's out. I've got B/R out on the play, and the runner closest to home out AKA R3 The OP doesn't say that, though. The way it reads is a ball hit to F3, and BR interferes with him. But what BR interferes with makes a difference: Interferencewith F3's fielding of the batted ball for the play on BR at 1st? BR out and R3 returns Interference with F3's throw home to get R3 with no play initially being made on BR? BR and R3 out Interference with F3's throw home to attempt putout of R3 after BR out at 1st? BR and R3 out Need more complete information on the situation to make the proper ruling

Thanks guys. T-Rav - me too! We won't have our assignments until mid-March, after the AD's meet and finalize their schedules.

I haven't seen it on (or in the listings) again. The only DVD copy I have seen was the one Rob Drake brought to our clinic. We watched it during our lunch break. I didn't get a chance to ask if the DVD was only available to MLB umps or otherwise.

At our association meeting on Saturday, I was informed that I had passed my probationary period and had good reviews. I am now eligible for Varsity level games this year. I can't wait for the season to start. Thanks to everyone on this forum - I really feel that by listening to all the discussions on here it gave me a leg up.

I played baritone/euphonium all the way through HS in concert & Marching Band. I miss it sometimes, but SWMBO would kill me if I dropped some coin on an instrument on top of umpire gear.

Some of the association members in the Binghamton area had got to know Rob and Lance as they worked their way up through the minor leagues and had worked games there. IIRC Rob's wife is from the Binghamton area as well.

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a clinic in Vestal, NY (near Binghamton) for our HS association (NYSBUA). I had a great time, and learned A LOT in the short time we had. It was scheduled for 1 day this year to see what the interest level was. From the sounds, it looks like it will be a full weekend next time. I met some great guys there. The lead instructors were Rob Drake and Lance Barrett. Both were easy to talk to and ask questions. You could really tell Lance had been an instructor before. I got some good feedback, and some tips on things to work on. Like Lance said - it was squeezing 5 weeks of umpire school into 8 hours, but I think everyone was able to take something useful away. We had a "meet and greet" on Friday night. It was nice to talk to them in a relaxed atmosphere and get to know them a bit. Looking forward to next year. My next clinic is the March LL Umpire Clinic in Williamsport. Excited for that as well.

Section a above already refers to a pitch striking a runner. The rule section B bolded above regards a runner who is forced because the batter recieves a fourth ball, or the batter is HBP, or the batter hits a fair ball that becones dead. A runner can't hit a ball after he is already on base. Maybe the rule should have been written: b. he is forced from the base he occupies by a following runner who must advance because a batter: 1. recieves a fourth ball 2. is hit by a pitched ball, or; 3. hits a fair ball that becomes dead (5-1-1f,g) Craig

IIRC, it was because Johnson managed Peralta while he was on the Nationals, and had "inside knowledge" that Peralta might have doctored the ball in the past. Johnson used this to his advantage (and Maddon's disadvantage). That's why Peralta tipped his hat to the Nat's bench - kind of a sarcastic "well played, my former manager." I think Maddon asked the umpires to check one of the Nat's players the next time they took the field. Found a link: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/joel-peralta-caught-pine-tar-nationals-rays-crying-130611107--mlb.html

If you look close, you can see Iassogna doing the "fist on fist" signal as well while yelling his support to O'Nora. SWMBO just laughed when she saw me watching it again today. She (lovingly) called me a dork for watching it twice. I didn't tell her it was actually the 3rd time

Overall I thought it was very good. Nice to see the human side. I agree with UIC, it might be a good idea for a series throughout the regular season. Pick a crew and follow them for a week or so. It could catch on. I've seen A LOT worse "reality" shows on tv.

Overall I thought it was very good. Nice to see the human side. I agree with UIC, it might be a good idea for a series throughout the regular season. Pick a crew and follow them for a week or so. It could catch on. I've seen A LOT worse "reality" shows on tv.

Tonight's the night! 14 hours to wait, but I have time to kill by digging out from this snowstorm.

Merry Christmas