SnareDrum

Torre couldn't stop Mauer from watching that McNasty on the outside corner for the backwards K, though. I'm cool with leaving Hosmer in with two on and a lefty. he's SUPPOSED to be a pretty good hitter on the verge of his breakout year, and maybe Joe was thinking 8th inning. Rally cap time.

USA... no farther than the 2nd round EVER? With no Olympics, this is the only World Championship for the sport that was invented here. Must. Do. Better.

---------------------------- Indeed he is. We have the same taste, too... all black. I hope that one day, either for WBC or the Olympics (if we can get them to reinstate it!), that USA puts together a true "Dream Team". I like this squad, but every WBC the talk rolls around to who ISN'T on the squad.

Loving the mic, too. ..and that Dick's commercial rocks!

Thanks for the reminder... I was zoning out on Robot Combat League!

Even with rule modifications, I'd have to come out as "not in favor" of letting runs count past an imposed 5 run limit. What if... tie game, let's make it 10-10 in the top of the last inning. VT pushes across 4 runs, then with a man on, batter hits the over-the-fence home run and the score is now 16-10. HT comes up and scratches out couple of walks with some base hits, then a a bases loaded single scores the 5th run, and HT loses by 1.Or, if the HT gets in a position where a HR would win it, a smart(ass) DC just starts calling IBB's until they allow 5. I'm all for scoring it a HR. Let the batter do his trot and get thumped at the plate by his team. Let the little slugger and team get it in the stats... but scoring all runs past 5... I'm not in favor.

Technology Teacher at an Elementary School. I'm also Youth Choir director at my church. That limits me some during the Spring and Fall, but not too much. The bonus side is that I get the entire summer off so I can pretty much work wherever... and sleep in a little (lot?) longer during the day!

$1,000? Um... no. What if somebody bought it for you and you could set aside the time to complete it... would you give it a shot? Or are there other issues besides just the cost, like the lack of "on the field" work, etc?

FED says: "Two Bases (Batter and Runners): 5) First throw by infielder and ball goes out of play or lodged in or under fence. Determined from base occupied at TOP. 6) For any subsequent play by an infielder or for any throw by an outfielder and ball goes out of play or lodges in or under fence. Determined from base occupied at TOT.

-------------------------------- Uh-oh! First of all, the feint to third (which includes the "31 move") is not a balk in HS. It's only a balk in the pros and leagues that use OBR (unless they choose not to this year like Babe Ruth). FED may make the change next year or year after, but this year, not a balk.

Last year, y 2nd game of the night, we had a team that had just played on another field. F1 double sets and I call the balk. DC didn't say anything until after the half-inning as he was crossing behind me at the plate. He said the umpire on the other field said it was OK as long as his pitcher "did it every time". I gave a reply similar to Jax's, and the coach said that's what he thought, and added that if I said it was balk, then it was a balk (we've been on the same field a lot over the years). But, I was waiting on that umpire in the shed after his game.

I hear ya'! "FINALLY" is right! HS scrimmages are this Friday & Saturday, then my games start the following Saturday. What he said ---> Bart Scott - Can't Wait! - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7KSkZxt_zo

All the reasons above, yeah... I'm down with all of them. Great stuff! (Especially motoUMP and James Walker) A few years ago... it was a jr. high game between a tiny town local team, and a travelling (not so well funded) team from another small town. The travelers even had two girls, including a pitcher that left a few of the hometown boys making the u-turn back to the dugout after she showed off her slider and a nasty curveball. The virtually immaculate field was literally in the middle of nowhere and I could tell that long ago they had leveled a hilltop for it because there wasn't any flat ground for miles around. It was between games, the sun was setting, the lights had just come on... the sounds of the impromptu practice that broke out, the locals in the stands on the three rows of wood plank bleachers, the kids goofing off in the dugouts made of stacked cinder blocks, the surrounding hills covered in white and pink dogwood blossoms... as I took in the scene, for some strange reason, what I'm about to write started flowing around in my head. I'm not a poet or an author, and none of this is the sole reason or reasons I do what I do, but I think it's finally time to share. It's been stuck in my head in a constant editing for a long time, and even now before I "post" (still thinking twice about it), I could probably edit and add even more. But this is the basics of it... ================================= Keeper Of The Flame The sun goes down, the lights come up, And the sounds echo through time. Crack of the bat, ball in the glove, Cheers and groans from the stands. I do what I do for the best of all games Keeping letter and spirit alive, Far beyond judge, not just the decider I'm a Keeper Of The Flame They call me "Blue", and other names, too, And every Spring I make my return The robins are back, the dogwoods bloom Then something inside me begins to burn. There's meetings, new shirts, a new rule or two, And it's time for me to take aim, Spring is here, it's time to play... And I'm a Keeper Of The Flame For close to two hundred years, it has been I The one at every game From Round Ball, Goal Ball, and sticks for bases, The one at every game In tiny towns and overflowing stadiums The one at every game Both history and future depend on me, For I'm a Keeper Of The Flame. Now don't get me wrong, there's fun to be had, Like when a six year old gets their first hit. Or when I'm in the stands, just enjoying the day at Wrigley, Watching the other Blues for a bit. Then I take the field, dirt under my feet, With the prayer: "Lord, don't let me suck". Because I know it's true, that it's beyond just a game, I'm a Keeper Of The Flame. I help the newbs as best as I can, and listen to the Old Guys advice I learn my mechanics, the rules as well, Until I know them cold as ice. I have so much to offer, and much to give back, I will never disappoint this or any game... It's what I do, with soul and heart. I'm a Keeper Of The Flame It's much bigger than me, much older than me, and it will be here long after I'm gone... Time will pass and so will I, But one thing is carved in stone... I do what I do for the best of all games Keeping letter and spirit alive, Far beyond judge, not just the decider I'm the Keeper Of The Flame. Play!

In our 2013 rules for the leagues that will use it: "Each half-inning will last until 3 outs are made or 5 runs are scored." At the meeting last night, both the UIC and director told us that they want us to (loudly) end the play with the 5th run, and that's what they told the coaches as well. Best of luck on your season!!!

Sweet! The irony? The IFF rule was put in to prevent the defense from dropping the ball on purpose and turning an easy double or triple play, bonehead baserunners not withstanding...

This is just bizarre...

I'll be working City League at one of three complexes on the night of the 19th, or training newbies. If working, it'll be 11U, and if training it could be almost anything. I'll keep you posted and if you want to stop by or meet up later or both, I might be persuaded... .

There can be safety issues either way. Where we are, we've had the rule in place for over a decade. The league book even says, "When the 5th run scores... the ball is dead... It's not like I'm running out to them mound screaming and waving as soon as the 5th crosses. I try to do it within the flow of the play while still getting it shut down as soon as possible. I think it just comes down to working with the coaches and league officials to decide on what works best for that league, then standardize it so that regardless of the field or crew, more players/coaches know what to expect. As I mentioned, the coaches like it shut down sooner than later (they have A LOT of say-so around here), mainly due to the clock factor where even one second can mean the difference between a shot at winning, or just going home with the loss. Keep us posted clawdad!!

What basejester said about a possible injury is one reason why we're encouraged to start stopping action as soon as we can. Example (saw it happen): R1 & R3, 4 runs in, batter hits a screamer up the RF line and the umpire let it all play out after R3 scored. R1 was hustling all the way home, and the throw from the cutoff man was high as the runner slid hard and undercut F2 when he jumped for the ball. Landed on his neck and head. It looked scary but nobody was hurt... however the BR sliding headfirst into 3B chipped his tooth. We strictly enforce our clock/game-ending rules (seconds do matter), and two or three instances of letting it play out could cost an entire inning. If I'm a coach or player, I'd prefer the extra inning over an extra play. At the meeting, just talk it over with the directors and coaches... toss around some scenarios... decide on the the true objectives of the rule... you'll come to a consensus and as the season moves, do some tweaking and it will all come together in a way that please (almost) everybody..

We've been using the 5-run rule in our Rec leagues for a very long time. When the 5th run crosses the plate, the umpire has the option to begin killing the play or to let it continue. An example would be 3 runs in and bases loaded. Batter hits one in the gap to the fence. When R2 touches, I can can "TIME! THAT'S FIVE!" right then, or hold off and see if there's going to be non-important play at 2B. Batter hits a one hopper to the wallThe coaches prefer that we end the "play" immediately with the 5th run. Partly because we're on the clock, and a few seconds saved can mean the difference in an extra inning. In the case mentioned above of 4 runs in and a grand slam, one run counts, but we let the BR go ahead and make his trot (in the book, it goes as an RBI single). I don't have to like it, but that's the league rules. We're strongly encouraged to start calling time right away. The play is dead with the 5th run and the umpires will not make any calls at the bases or home at that point. I will usually wait until a fielder has the ball and the runners have reached each base, then as or when the action ceases, call time. Usually the coaches and players know and are already leaving the field. The 5-run rule only applies in our rec leagues. Was in a hurry when I typed this... Happy for input or questions.

My job gives me very little flexibility, but if say, a post-season or other great opportunity came up, I could do it. My principal doesn't like constant substitutes anymore than I do. I'm also trying to hold on to all of the PTO that I can for personal reasons. I guess it comes down to the nature of your chosen "first job".

Heard about this from a friend of mine a couple of summers ago on this play... 1 out and batter with 2 strikes missed the sign and didn't know R3 was coming. U3K by F2 as R3 and B1 have their own private train wreck. R3 is laid out in front of the plate (never touched) and B1 is on top of him. F2 picks up the ball and calmly tags them both for a double-play. A very good "Team 1" was apparently trying to pad their run differential in the standings even though they were up by 10 at the time on a not-so-good squad. It was the first of a DH and a pumped up "Team 2" returned the favor by shelling "1" just as bad in the next game... including a couple of squeeze plays when they went up by 10. My friend said that the opposing coaches had a rather spirited "discussion" during the hand shake line. Yeah.. it was 12U.

I prefer to take the BR to 3rd with nobody on and I'll cover that in the pregame. If my partner prefers otherwise, I'm cool with it, but it's what I prefer. A lot of my BU mechanics involve the PU staying home, partly because they grow roots and stay there the whole time anyway (City League, not HS) I'm ever so slowly chipping away at them though.

A great thread started on it late last night at UMMM... WHAT?!? F1 tackles R3 - Situations - Umpire-Empire The player wasn't ejected...

In the video, I see the DC grabbing F1 almost immediately and yanking him to the dugout. Later, I see the DC talking with PU, and it looks like he (DC) is saying/motioning that he's taken F1 out (motioning with his thumb). Even if the coach did pull the player, I'm still ejecting him.