LRZ

He and I exchanged messages several years ago, before I went silent here. He had serious health issues. At our age, silence is never a good sign.

Maybe I misread the OP, but I understood "tries to tag" as "tries, but is unsuccessful," and then F5 drops the ball. In this case, no proper appeal and no legal tag = safe. However, if F5 did tag the runner and then dropped the ball, then I would agree that this is a HTBT judgment call whether F5 held "hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball." In this case, no proper appeal and a legal tag = out. Merely coming down on the base is nothing, without something more to indicate an appeal.

FWIW, I would have also addressed F6's earlier running commentary on your partner's calls. "Son, that's unacceptable. Knock it off." Fall ball or not, it's always a good time to teach a lesson.

I can't believe Boone got ejected! He's usually.... What? Oh, never mind.

Yes, F5 had complete control, however momentarily, but was his landing on the base an appeal? Two possibilities. (1) The throw to F5 was to enable F5 to tag the retreating R3, who had been "halfway between 3rd base and home plate," off the base; or (2) The throw to F5 was to enable him to make a unmistakable appeal on R3 for having left early. I'll quote the rule again: "An appeal should be clearly intended as an appeal.... A player inadvertently stepping on the base with a ball in his hand would not constitute an appeal." The most logical inference is that F5 did not clearly intend an appeal; otherwise, he would not have tried to tag R3. Even if the facts are ambiguous and 50/50, they don't support a "clearly intended" appeal.

Correct call, wrong reasoning. The requirements for a tag are often confused with those for a catch. Voluntary release is not necessary for a tag: "TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with the body while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball or with the hand or glove holding the ball (not including hanging laces alone), while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove. It is not a tag, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his touching a base or touching a runner, the fielder drops the ball. In establishing the validity of the tag, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball. If the fielder has made a tag and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the tag, the tag shall be adjudged to have been made." [OBR Definitions] I would equate the fielder trying to tag the runner with the act of making a throw, as in the "tag" definition. But R3 leaving early is subject to an appeal. However, "An appeal should be clearly intended as an appeal, either by a verbal request by the player or an act that unmistakably indicates an appeal to the umpire. A player inadvertently stepping on the base with a ball in his hand would not constitute an appeal." [OBR 5.09(c) Comment] I would equate the fielder jumping up, catching the ball, and landing on the base with inadvertently stepping on the base. Without anything further, like an actual tag of the runner, I would have a "safe" call: the act of inadvertently landing on the base does not constitute an appeal, even if we deem the base touched inadvertently by the fielder with complete control.

Good grief.

Go early to local games, introduce yourself to the umpires in the parking lot, ask if you can sit in on their pre-game discussion, then watch them work. You will see techniques you like and want to incorporate, and possibly things to avoid. If you have questions after the game, ask if they would answer them. School ball is typically under the aegis of an NFHS-affiliated statewide organization (here in PA, it is the PA Interscholastic Athletic Association, PIAA), with local or regional chapters. These chapters likely have regular meetings, where members talk about plays, rules and mechanics; the meetings may be virtual (Zoom, GotoMeeting, etc.), and you might ask to sit in even though you are probably too young to actually get certified. If your local Little League offers training and clinics, sign up, even if it is just to audit (joining informally) the course.

https://umpire-empire.com/topic/77888-ask-uefl-obstruction-2-in-little-league-rules-review/

Lucky, are you talking about this: https://umpire-empire.com/topic/77869-conflicting-calls-by-umpires-in-little-league-game/

The only question I had--and I honestly don't know the answer, so this is not a criticism--is whose call is the award? U1 called the obstruction at first, U3 had the out call at third. Is it the "obstruction-calling" official's call, or should the crew have gotten together for a brief discussion?

If anyone would, it's Senor Azul. Send him a message.

There is another sports forum that uses blue font to indicate sarcasm. FWIW.

Hybrid rules. As if umpiring different rule sets wasn't difficult enough....

Whether straight-lined or not, you saw something definite (the step into the bag, which depressed) and exercised your judgment. How do you know your partner's judgment was correct and yours wrong? You don't. Trust yourself, trust your judgment. I don't particularly care what a coach thinks he saw--confirmation bias affects one's perceptions.