CougarUmp

Runners on 1st and 2nd. Batter at 3-2 count. Pitcher has ball slip from his hand on delivery. It's a balk. Correct? Does it matter whether the pitch goes across the foul line or not? If it's a balk what happens to the batter? Stays 3-2?

Thanks for the replies. I'll tell you what, the little guys(and girls) always keep things interesting. Luckily, I had level headed coaches and we all agreed how to address the situation. This is a great forum. You guys have helped me a ton of times.

10U rec game. Batter reaches out and tries to catch the pitched ball. It wasn't going to hit him. It was just an inside pitch. It was an honest mistake on his part. I called 'no pitch'. Right or wrong?

Thanks all. I realize the was a HTBT situation but I really appreciate everyone's replies.

In OBR, the fielder is allowed to be there if he is in the act of fielding the ball. Is he in the act of 'fielding the ball' on a thrown ball or batted ball or both?

Uncaught 3rd strike, BR is in the proper lane running to 1st. F2 does not clear the runner when throwing to F3 and hits BR in the back. F3 is attempting to catch the throw and is between BR and the base. BR runs over F3. I had BR safe. But my question is: Can F3 be in the baseline without the ball or is it obstruction?

Can a pitcher, from the rubber, while attempting a pick off to 3rd throw to the 3rd baseman who is several feet off the base? The throw doesn't pull the 3rd baseman off the base he just wasn't holding the runner.

I searched the forum for any posts about wood composite bats and got no responses. In what league/level are these allowed? I've worked wood bat seasons and there was no mention of composite wood bats included or excluded. Just curious.

Sit on a bucket in the entrance to the dugout, evidently this is the best location to call any pitch or play. Just once I'd like to take a bucket with me behind the plate. Or am I being passive-aggressive?

In a run down situation in 2 man mechanics which umpire makes the out/safe call? I was BU at the time but my PU made the call at the same time I did. Luckily it was the same call.

New at this. Can anyone simplify the rules for what happens after a 6 inning game gets postponed due to rain or darkness when there has been enough innings to technically be called complete. I get confused. After 4th it's complete? Home team must get last at bat if losing? When does the score revert, if ever, to a prior inning score?? Etc, Thanks in advance.

I post here to learn. It's my 2nd season. I have thick skin and welcome constructive criticism. Maybe stating I cover it every game was an overstatement. I definitely don't ramble on and on at the plate meeting. I do line ups, get home coach field specs, equip legal.

It's part of my plate meeting every game. I tell them the last thing a baseball game needs is to take MORE time. Did the left fielder's arm really get tight between inning 6 and 7? In August! New pitcher I'm a little more lax about. As for being ignored.....I hope it was lesson learned to stop that quick.

I agree all runners need to safely advance to wash out CI. How does stealing or squeezing alter that? Does it have something to do with R1 being forced to advance or not?

agreed. Keep posting situations. That's the only way to get better. I've figured out who on this site is worth reading. I don't waste time on guys posting their opinions. I look for answers that site ACTUAL rules!!! I get enough wrong opinions from coaches and parents on the field. This site is where I go to learn from the one's on here that know the correct answers.

I have the 460's. I'm wide just not long. Hey now! The site said to order a half size larger. I'm normally a 9W so I ordered the 9.5 2E and they fit like a dream. Light as a feather. Ordered from umpire-attire.com. Arrived in 3 days.

I agree with you guys. I'm 43 years old. I wasn't bullied. My base umpire was a high school kid. He thanked me after the game for being there as if I had rescued him from a house fire. And yes, I did report everything to the proper people for what it's worth. Covering my you know what.

You are making me feel better about my decision already. I thought I was paid to officiate the kids. Coaches and parents 99% of my headaches!

I will try to make this question quick. Only back story is that the coaches hate each other. 8-9 year old boys Rec league game. At the plate meeting before the game Visiting coach says the batters box isn't deep enough and asks the Home coach(field prep is his responsibility) to make it right. By the way, the box IS too small. It needs to be deeper by AT LEAST 1 ft. I ask the Home coach to correct it and he blows a fuss and threatens to forfeit the game saying the Visiting coach had plenty of time prior to the start of the game to request the box be corrected and and he refuses to fix it. Pissing match! I'm a new umpire so here is how I handled it and why. First, I asked the Home coach if he was serious about his forfeit comment. He wasn't. Second, will he fix the box? He said no. At that point I told both coaches FOR THE SAKE OF THE KIDS I will start the game and use my judgement as to where the rear of the box should be in relation to the batters back foot even if it is outside the line. My question....What were my options at the plate meeting? My end goal was to ultimately let the boys play.

Anyone have a link for the latest edition, 2013? I can only find segments from it in other manuals.