bam

Twist - pitcher balks and picks runner off first. Kill play or let it play out?

If you MUST reply - my go-to line is - "Skip, that's why we've got umpires" End of story.

Why? I'm getting out of range of any comments the coach might want to make to me. I'm not looking at him and I'm certainly not engaging in any conversation about a play that did not just happen. If he had any questions about that play, he had ample opportunity to discuss it. Once play starts he forfeits any right to ask questions.

Did you ask him if he would like you to change his diaper, too?

Balks with 10U? I had an AAU DH once, solo, where the coaches wanted me to call balks. I asked them if they were sure, they said yes. I called about half a dozen in the first inning. They weren't very happy. Be careful what you wish for. I didn't have to call another one the rest of the DH.

If I'm at a park with close fences/fans, I stand ON THE BASE LINE between innings.

You might get the argument that the runner was already going "around". He made a pretty big oblong on the reverse from third to home back to third. I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have called INT, given where the runner was going. I'd most likely have been wrong. I understand that the runner can make his own basepath, but if you trace his route on this particular play, you'd see a drunk staggering home from the corner tavern. Not to mention the fact he got himself caught in a rundown in the first place.....

With two umpires the confusion is averted. The trigger was U2 signaling safe on the return of R2 and not an out on the force. After that, all bets were off.

This. Although I will move out about halfway between the plate and the mound on even a routine hit. One never knows what could happen, and that includes a partner rolling his ankle on a pivot and the BR trying for second. I agree that there's really no need to move out, but I'll always clear F2 and step out in front of the plate, given no other responsibilities, just to keep an eye on everything in front of me.

Never mind

I never saw a tag on the following runner.

That is a really tough call. i'm with Maven on the "expected" call. R3 was also running all over the place. That's why we've got umpires, right?

What are you pointing at at the 1:25 mark of the last video?

There are SO many other things to worry about, and someone calling you "ref" is the thing you choose o focus on? This sounds like time for a therapy session

Legal move. He can step and throw to a base to make a play. No need to step off. Ah. But what if the runner is not going? Runner takes a step, everyone yells "GOING" but he doesn't go. Pitcher still throws to 2d. I've heard different interpretations on that one, but I'm inclined to NOT balk that one, as it's "making a play". But I could be persuaded otherwise.

Eff THAT! The first words out of my mouth when he shows up Sunday "What the F&%K were you thinkig?" Anything less than an abject apology and a promise that it won't happen again gets him blocked off my schedule and a scathing letter to both him and the assignor and/or training committee. We as umpires have enough to worry about. A brother umpire getting in my grill? Not a chance.

Amen! Hey, you're there, you're not doing anything else! Don't just stand there, do something. Sincerely Rich Ives Rat

Love the announcer - "How can he see that call?" In super-slo mo "Gee, I couldn't tell". A-hole.

These kids throwing over to first constantly drive me nuts. Especially if they're way up or way down. Ever consider balking the runner over to make it stop?

Catchers Interference. You're getting murdered on this one....

"looks like he was showing up Francona" Are you kidding me? These announcers are such d1ckwads.

80% of players know 20% of the rules

And it would be the baserunners who have to see that he's on the runner, not the batter. But typical rat response.

Call the mitt. Easy.

You can't see if he's on the rubber from a base? Forget your glasses? If you forgot your glasses how can you hit? What's deceptive about it? Why is it addressed in the rules?