grayhawk

I have it on good authority that both Miller and Tumpane were 100% certain the ball was foul. That's why the call was changed after the crew consultation.

Purchased the SSK ball bags from @UmpAK. Great communication and shipping. Do recommend.

Dare I say that Mark Madden is the Doug Eddings of writers?

Unless he yelled it right in F5's ear, this is nothing.

Pity. They are just fueling a rules myth the keyboard warriors love to spout off about.

Beat me to it. A rare mistake by Lindsey.

It's verbatim, and I agree. Unless Trackman makes significant improvements, I don't think it's capable of using individual batter measurements for the top and bottom. I have a feeling only the SEC (maybe the B1G) will be doing this and it will be with the same ABS technology that is used in MLB. But the fact they even bothered to allow D2 and D3 to do this at least suggests they have already gotten Trackman's agreement to make the changes to support it. We shall see.

1-7 First, Second, and Third Base Require the use of a double base at first base for regular season and postseason competition. Exception: Competition held at non-institutionally owned facilities may use 18-inch square bases. Rationale: To provide equal opportunity for both the offensive and defensive players to function in the same approximate area, potentially limit contact at first base between offensive and defensive players and emphasize batter-runners are to use the runner’s lane. 1-7 First, Second, and Third Base Permit the use of the 18-inch square bases at institutionally owned facilities, provided that a double base at first base is used. Note: The 15-inch square base remains the standard for use. Rationale: This proposal will permit institutions the ability to use professional baseball base sizes at institutionally owned baseball facilities. 1-12 The Bat Permit the use of bat sensor technology for in-game swing data collection. Note: The device must be attached to the knob of the bat or embedded within the knob and data shall not be accessed during the game. Rationale: Increased opportunities for swing data collection to take place during live-game situations. Rule 3 3-3 Base Coach A base coach may not be closer to the foul line than the inside edge of the coaches’ box and no closer to home plate than the front edge of the box and no further than the back edge of the box once the pitcher has engaged the pitcher’s plate. Rationale: Provides clarity on where base coaches can position themselves. Rule 5 5-15-C-3 Eliminate the ejection penalty for players or team personnel leaving the vicinity of the dugout, bullpen, or position on the field at the time of a potential altercation or fight at the time of a verbal or physical altercation. Players or other team personnel remain subject to a game suspension. Rationale: An updated penalty structure for players and other team personnel to not include an immediate ejection should they leave their position at the time of a potential altercation or fight; however, players and other team personnel are encouraged to not leave their position. 5-16 Electronic Devices Limit the use of electronic communication devices to defensive purposes only (i.e., the use on offense would not be permitted). Rationale: Electronic communication devices were originally created to be used for defensive purposes only and remain strictly prohibited from use on offense in Major League Baseball. 5-16 Electronic Devices Permit use of in-game data/technology in the dugout to access scouting and analytics information during a game, including the use of preloaded and non-live recorded video. Note: Access to pitch location (i.e., balls/strikes) must be restricted during the game; a device management feature to limit access of applications must be managed by the conference; and live video during a game is permitted, provided that it is delayed by a half-inning at a minimum. Rationale: To allow limited and controlled use of technology for use during a game for coaching and player development purposes. Rule 6 6-5-F Dead Ball-Play Suspended Increase of offensive conferences to six (6) which would allow a batters’ request to reset the action clock. Similar to defensive conferences, a coach is allowed to be involved in a maximum of three (3) offensive charged conferences plus one additional conference in the event of an extra inning game. Rationale: To allow a limited number of times for a batter to call a quick timeout to reset themself and the action clock. This would make offensive and defensive charged conferences similar. Rule 8 8-3-E Entitled to the Base Fielder may not block the pathway of the base for the runner prior to having possession of the ball. Note: A fielder shall not be deemed to have obstructed unless they have both blocked the base or plate without possession of the ball, and also hindered or impeded the progress of the runner attempting to score. A fielder shall not be deemed to have hindered or impeded the progress of the runner if, in the judgment of the umpire, the runner would have been called out notwithstanding the fielder having blocked the base or plate. Rationale: Reduce intentional acts of blocking the base prior to attempting to make a play at the base. Appendices Appendix E Permit any play that could result in a fair ball call being overturned to foul to be reviewed. Rationale: This recommendation is consistent with the premise of Appendix E to get the call correct. Appendix E Permit any tag play regardless of the location to be reviewed. Rationale: This recommendation is consistent with the premise of Appendix E to get the call correct. Appendix F-III Time Limit Require the following timing rule for between batters. A 30-second timer shall start at the conclusion of the prior play as indicated by the ball being in the possession of the pitcher in the proximity of the mound. In the event the batter/runner ends an at bat on second base and needs to hand protective equipment to a coach, the timer should start when the batter-runner hands their equipment to the coach. Note: NCAA rules regarding the stop and enforcement of the pitch clock shall apply (e.g., pitcher must begin motion to pitch prior to expiration of the clock and hitter must be alert to the pitcher and ready to hit with eight (8) or more seconds remaining). Rationale: Pace of play. Appendix F-III Time Limit Require the following timing rule for mound visits. A 30-second timer shall begin when a coach crosses the foul line or when a defensive player leaves their position to visit the pitcher’s mound. The home plate umpire shall proceed to the mound when the timer reaches nine (9) seconds. Unless the coach signals for a pitching change, the coach must leave the mound when (or before) the timer expires. If the coach has not left the mound or signaled for a pitching change by the time the clock expires, the umpire shall break up the visit and direct the coach back to the dugout or to signal for a pitching change. If a coach does not immediately leave the mound or signal for a pitching change upon being directed by the home plate umpire, a warning shall be issued for a first offense with a ball automatically awarded to the batter for any subsequent offense. Note: The mound visit clock shall not operate when a doctor or trainer accompanies a coach to evaluate a medical issue. Upon expiration of the clock, the 20-second NCAA pitch clock shall commence. Rationale: Pace of play. Appendix F-III Time Limit Require the following timing rule for offensive timeouts. A 30-second timer shall begin when an offensive timeout is granted by an umpire to a player or coach. The home plate umpire shall proceed to conclude the timeout when the timer reaches nine (9) seconds. Upon expiration of the clock, unless a substitution has been signaled, any visit must conclude and/or the batter must enter the batter’s box. If the visit does not immediately conclude or the batter immediately enter the box upon being directed by the home plate umpire, a warning shall be issued for a first offens e, with a strike automatically awarded to the batter for any subsequent offense. Note: The offensive timeout clock shall not operate when a doctor or trainer accompanies a coach to evaluate a medical issue. Rationale: Pace of play. My takeaways: 1. We get to be coaches boxes police - big yuk 2. More batters will be asking for time - yuk 3. Well, at least players are encouraged to not leave the dugouts during an altercation - LOL. Actually, in some ways, it might be better for us. We get to focus on who the real troublemakers are rather than who is leaving their positions. 4. If you have replay review, err on the side of calling nutcutters fair. 5. We now have to time offensive and defensive conferences and in between batters. Not a fan unless it actually speeds up pace of play. TBD.

For Divisions 1, 2 & 3 1. Pitcher Disengagements: Pitchers are limited to two disengagements (pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance. However, this limit is reset if a runner or runners advance during the plate appearance. A third disengagement, or a disengagement violation, would result in a balk. 2. Pitcher Minimum Batters Faced Requirements: The starting pitcher or any substitute pitcher is required to pitch to a minimum of three consecutive batters, including the batter then at bat (or any substitute batter), until such batters are put out or reach first base, or until the offensive team is put out. 3. Use of in-game data/technology in the dugout during a game, including the use of preloaded and non-live recorded video: To permit the use of electronic equipment (tablets) to access scouting and analytics information during the game in the dugout, including the use of preloaded and non-live recorded video. (Note: Access to pitch location [i.e., balls/strikes] must be restricted during the game.) The following information must be provided for consideration of this experimental rule: (1) An outline of the conference’s plan for use of the electronic equipment, (2) the type of equipment that will be provided or used, (3) details on the conference’s policies/procedures to ensure appropriate use of the equipment and (4) details of implementing a device management feature to limit access of applications and metrics during a game, including if the conference intends to permit and manage the use of preloaded and non-live recorded video. Note: Preloaded video is defined as video content not from the current game being played. Accessing delayed video content from the current game is permitted provided the video is delayed by a half inning at a minimum. Data collection will include the number of uses throughout the conference season, effectiveness of the technology for the purposes of coaching and player development. 4. Challenges Permitted for Called Balls and Strikes Using Electronic Strike Zone Assist: Overview. Each team will be permitted to challenge an individual ball or strike call (on either offense or defense) by appealing to the appropriate call of the pitch as determined by an electronic strike zone. A challenge may occur at any point in a plate appearance including the end of an appearance. Initiating a Challenge. A batter, pitcher, or catcher must initiate a challenge by immediately tapping their cap or helmet. Other players or team personnel are not permitted to initiate a challenge. Each team starts the game with three (3) challenges: (1) If a challenge is successful, the team retains that challenge; and (2) If the original call is confirmed, the team loses the challenge. If a team enters an extra inning with zero challenges remaining, they are awarded one challenge for every extra inning. Note: The additional challenge provided during extra innings cannot be used until all remaining challenges have been exhausted and may not be carried over to any subsequent inning of extra innings. Review Process. Upon a challenge, the pitch location is compared against the batter’s individualized electronic strike zone. Hitter Measurement & Certification. To ensure the electronic strike zone assist conforms to the height of each batter, every player on a team’s designated roster (including pitchers) shall participate in the measurement process. Additional Requirements. Each institution that anticipates participating in a contest that may use the electronic strike zone challenge system shall submit precise height measurements starting August 1 of the current academic year and must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the start of the season. Measurements are required to be certified by the institution’s primary health care administrator. Note: Height measurements may be remeasured and certified prior to the start of postseason competition (including conference championships/tournaments).

D. Don Kelly is one miserable POS.

James and Rich have it right and made it simple because it is. The status of the offensive player changed from batter to runner, and the elements for calling interference changed with it. Batter's interference does not require intent, whereas runner interference with a thrown ball does require intent. Where the catcher was is 100% irrelevant.

This is clearly a volunteer umpire, and none of the above is going to happen. C'est la vie!

I have the Davis straight fit, flat front base pants and the tag inside says "Pro-7131" so not sure which version I have. I like them overall, but the fabric on the inside kind of sticks to my Stance MLB socks. I also don't like the expander waistband, but I don't like those on any pants.

BTW, the one I am talking about is the one in the replies, not in the first post of that thread. The one in the first post is a clean move. The one in the replies where F1 drops his stride leg down before stepping to 2B is the NCAA balk.

I asked an MLB umpire and he said it's a misdemeanor and not a felony, so he probably wouldn't call it. But he would mirror/support a partner if it was called.

I honestly don't know. It seems like this kind of move happens unpenalized in MLB. This is a HS kid and I asked him if he's been balked for it and he said not yet. I'm not current on NFHS rules, so not sure what is correct there.

Here is what Randy Bruns said: That's a balk. Pitcher must "raise the lead leg and immediately, with a continuous motion, step directly toward second base." That was not a continuous motion.

I seem to recall Randy sending out something about inside moves and that if the stride leg lowers before gaining distance/direction to 2B that it's a balk. Thoughts? https://x.com/DanielGuerra_88/status/2071403102352077141?s=20

In the NCAA play, the crew ruled that F1 disengaged. I trust Van Rapp's judgment on this over our grainy, distant video.

Illegal in NCAA too. You can windup with your pivot foot parallel (with runners on base, you must notify the umpires), but you can't come set and then windup.

Catchers HATE this

But you didn't

Because...HE DECEIVED THE RUNNER!!

I would think this person doesn't follow CCA mechanics, which would be applicable in NCAA as well as HS (as I understand it).