stevis

You're allowed to suspend the game for "unsuitable weather conditions" in the Little League code, and I'd assume similar language in other codes. In this case, those conditions would be "insufficient cloud cover in front of the sun." I've done it in our league before, and I think it's completely legit.

Correct; feints to third still allowed in the LL code.

Yeah, we put up a cone halfway down. We were literally throwing bases out on park fields every week, it wasn't a precision operation for us.

My grad school league did this. We called our own games, was supposed to be friendly. I was F3, bases loaded, did exactly this--stepped on first, then threw home. The 1B Coach, in charge of that call, looked and said "But you took away the force first....OHHHHHH" and acknowledged I had found that exploit.

I mean, you would think that, wouldn't you?

I've seen it in LL, but nobody in my chain is teaching that right now.

Being outside at 60' is necessary on "closed-base" rules sets where BU is responsible for calling runners who leave early. (E.g., Little League Majors and below.) If you have runners leading off, I would agree with you 100% to be inside. Though even at 70', it's a step-lively situation. It took me a couple of years after we started the LL "Intermediate" level to get a hang for clearing F6's throwing lane to first without a last-second adjustment.

I bought some to use last year, and then...sadness. Haven't been behind the plate since. Was looking forward to it, though.

That's always the way I've been taught in LL; with the tag of "for the love of Klem, don't let the horsing around take place so you don't have to pick up that end of the stick." As you describe it, I'd have been in the same spot as you.

I signed up for it, and I'm enjoying it. It is pitched at the possibility that you have never umpired a game in your life, but getting into enough advanced techniques that I'm getting something out of it. I wouldn't say it's tough, but I've always been a good book learner/quiz taker. I do wish we had a little more discussion of edge cases of stuff like interference and obstruction, and a little less on the fences needing to be minimum 400' away. I think with another pass, the material could run a little more smoothly (there are a number of relevant MLB clips embedded, and they are good examples, but letting then run through six replays of the case while the announcer is repeating the patently wrong thing dilutes the value--at least add your own commentary track.) I think the stuff about their school style would prep you well for going and the hints about things they key on in their evaluation make a nice "cheat sheet" if you want to stand out and buck for a recommendation. I did have a nice discussion with the instructor (everyone got 30 minutes if they wanted it), and he was very welcoming of me as a Little League guy, not someone who is likely to ever come down to the school. We had good discussion of the different challenges I face vs. guys bucking for D1 or the minor league jobs, and the challenges of teaching umpires. So I'm glad I did it, would recommend it if they offer it again, don't think there would be repeat value.

Welcome! I can already tell your English is better than my Korean, so don't worry about it!

I'm probably doing the same. In slow-mo, it does look like F3 made a full extension and didn't really shy up because of the runner, so I can see an argument for no call.

I think, from following the Juan Soto saga a the start of the season here near D.C., they are doing rapid spit tests with follow-up swabs that have better Pd/Pfa. From a cost/pain in the rear standpoint, yeah, I can see why you'd do that. But it's going to lead in some persons forced to sit out unnecessary. Just the cost of doing business in these times, I guess.

I was just shy of 2, you old fogeys.

Double post, sorry, carry on..

You think he was waiting that long, only to blow the line? It should be "Blue, the mask goes over your mouth, not your eyes!"

Little League field, you can't trust that there's not a gap or other ball rolls out of play situation. I've had to call that twice on pitches. Once I even got the base award right.

I guess I have trouble with the notion that the play is the most important thing when a player takes a shot to the head--at any level, including MLB! "Baseball is a game" is text in Rule 1.01 in both MLB and Little League codes. The world keeps spinning on its axis if we place runners once in a while.

As a practical matter, this one would count as "incapacitate" in my book. A head shot for a 12 year old? I want medical attention on him ASAP. I'm probably--as per the comments @Senor Azul cites--giving one base to every runner (forced or not), unless someone catches the rebound. I've done this once in my career, when a pitcher got cup checked on a comebacker. Less serious, and maybe I didn't need to, but I sleep well with that call. No runners on that time so giving the batter runner first was easy. (Baseball ricocheted toward the 3rd base dugout, clearly no play if I'd let it continue). Offensive manager actually came out to ask me if I should give his batter more. I gave him the "get real" look and we went back to baseball.

I'm a LL UIC in Virginia. This is the sad story we tell. I was playing an adult softball game here once, with the clouds rolling in, light and sound show, and the umpires wouldn't stop it. We ran off the field. Other team followed us. Sorry if you don't get paid because it wasn't an official game, guys, but I'm not getting killed over your game fee.

THIRD BASE!

To me it's just like the players are supposed to do--think about what their role is if a ball goes here, or if it goes there--it's the mental preparation that gives you an edge.

They do? That's not what Williamsport is recommending--though they didn't come down with a hard no. As usual, of course, not a hint of what mechanics should be beyond "behind the mound" so I'm making up a two-person system and calling it good. For the summer, all we're trying to do is let the kids play something...we will do our best, if calls go wack, we'll live with it because 100% accuracy really isn't the most important aspect of the experience right now. Perspective.