DevildogUmp

I'm not sure why you think LL ignores ejection, a quick word search has ejections referenced 28 times in the rule book, 15 time in the RIM, and 8 times in the casebook. By comparison, the FED book references ejections 19 times. I think this is more of an editorial decision, but since the book does not specifically allow a for an out and they specifically direct that the batting order be collapsed when a player is unavailable to bat, it would logically follow that the batting order is collapsed when a player is ejected with no further penalty.

That would be my next question. What do we do with a runner who returns (properly) after crossing the plate to 3B to correct the running error and remains there with less than 3 outs? If he stays at third, where is the distinguishing line between this play and my original play?

but in this case, was a run legally scored? The runner failed to tag up. The comment almost makes it sound like it only applies when the runner only believes he left early, so if he hadn't, then he can't nullify the legal run by retreating.

R1/R3 - 1 out. Runners off on the pitch, fly ball to the outfield for out #2. R3 has crossed the plate, but retreats (touching the plate on the way back) and is between 3rd and home when the defense doubles off R1 for out #3. Defense leaves the field. Does R3's run count or has the runner "unscored" the run by retreating back to 3rd? I am under the impression that the run will not count, but I can't put my finger on a NFHS rule or case play that gives an answer either way. I am told that NHFS softball caseplay 9.1.1 K covers this, but I don't do softball so that doesn't help.

1. Engaging the rubber in the set with the hands together is a "don't do that", call time and have the pitcher reset. 2. Even if there was a balk in this particular situation, in OBR, a balk is a live ball and since the BR and all runners advanced one base, you ignore the balk. If the BR and all runners do not advance one base, then enforce the balk, which 99% of the time would be: advance runners and nullify the pitch (if thrown).

@The Man in Blue Little League is 1 per inning (removal on 2nd)/2 per game (removal on 3rd), but visits reset with each new pitcher.

And that extra "A" would be Indiana where officials become post-season eligible by: 1. Being licensed at least 2 years (eligible in year 3) 2. Being a member of a recognized local association. 3. Attending all 6 required meetings 4. Attend a certification clinic in the past 2 years 5. Pass the Part II written test 6. Officiate a minimum of 10 varsity contests in the year. (Maximum of 14 count towards your score) Then the state does hocus-pocus with a score combining the above + years of post season experience and your average coaches score for the past 3 years to come up with your officials ranking. Then they assign, supposedly starting at #1 through #192 (or lower if umpires decline the assignment) in order to put together all the 3-man crews needed for sectionals. While your crew could theoretically be made up completely from your local association or 2 guys from one association, it is likely that crews are meeting each other for the first time when they show up to the field for the first game of the sectional. Matt

@Velho The main reason I need an explicit statement is according to my Region, this is not a balk in LL.

@noumpere - the problem is that the LL rulebook does not address feints from the rubber. They rulebook only addresses a "step and throw to a base". @Velho - That doesn't address a pitcher feinting to 3rd without a step. That just tells us that once he steps, he does not need to throw. Nothing I have found in the rulebook, RIM, or Make the Right Call addresses a feint from the rubber without a step.

LL Rulebook, Intermediate or above: R3, pitcher engages the rubber and is in his stretch. He looks over at 3rd and feints a throw (pumps his arm) without moving his feet. Do you have a balk? If you do, what rule are you using to back up the balk call?

For high school, this would be a question for your state office as that is who creates the pitch count/rest rules. NFHS leaves pitch counts/rest requirements to the individual states. In Indiana, umpires do not have anything to do with pitch counts and have been told to direct coaches/ADs with pitch count concerns to the state office. I can tell you that other organizations that use pitch count, it is all about days rest prior to the restart. So, if the pitcher of record in the suspended game pitches and hits a rest requirement the day before the resumed game, he is now ineligible to pitch due to rest requirements. If he has not pitched in a week, it is a new day and he goes from zero in the resumed game.

@lawump I had found that and I thought it was maybe spelled out somewhere else since, in my mind, that sentence doesn't translate to "the umpire will call out base runners after the play is over". When I read "Dead ball appeals will not be recognized", I interpret that to mean all appeals must be live ball appeals. Any idea what kind of twisted road the interpreters took to get there?

For anyone in SC, is the state rule for calling runners out for missed bases/leaving early without an appeal actually in writing anywhere?

In case you missed it, most runs scored in an inning: 2nd inning: 28 Batters 7 Walks 5 HBP 4 Pitchers J. Butler led off the inning with a ground out and finished the inning reaching on a FC to round out 4 at-bats (0-2 with 2 HBP) in the inning. Jomboy has a breakdown if you want to watch:

My 2 cents: Situations 4, 5, 6 - Umpires should not be involved at all. I am not the fashion police. I'm always happy when everyone is wearing the same jersey. (JV callup/someone brought the home jersey instead of the away jersey). Is there even a penalty for these uniform infractions? Situation 7 - Way to contradict yourself in the interpretation: "1-1-4: A fielder is in fair ground when at least one foot is touching (my empahsis) fair ground", than "the other foot entirely in fair territory, not part touching foul ground". The cited rule does not support the interpretation that the entire foot must be in fair territory. Situation 8 - When it is 30 degrees at first pitch at 5pm, I don't care what the players are wearing to stay warm. Situation 19 - Is this another example of Fed wanting to be special by specifically going against the interpretation from the other rule sets? My understanding in OBR/NCAA as long as the runner doesn't change his path in reaction to the throw, then this isn't interference at those levels.

Is he saying "one step in front of F3" as in closer to the plate? If so, that doesn't sound very safe, I want F3 in front of me so I know where he is going once the ball is in play. I would think U1 in front of F3 is a recipe for collisions with hot shots, heck even a routine grounder where U1 is stepping out and F3 is moving to the base could result in a collision. I may move up even with him if he is way off the line, but any chance that he can lay out for a line shot, I want that in front of me.

In Indiana, all assigners must be approved by the state and can charge "reasonable" fees to schools, conferences, and officials. The state is nice enough to publish fees that each assigner charges. Looking through that list, official's fees range from $0 - $35 a season. School fees go up to $1,000, though I don't know if the school charge is by level, sport, or a flat yearly fee.

@albert The first question that needs to be answered is why do you believe it is a balk? I am going to assume based on your second post that you are a coach. When this happens in a game and the umpire does not call a balk, what reasoning, using the rule book, are you going to use when you discuss this with him? Based on the situation you provided; I don't have a balk.

@HumblePie Just to get this clear in my head, the pitcher stood stock still in in the windup position while the runner ran the 90 feet to 2nd base? TOP is the moment when a pitcher is committed to pitching, not making a move to the plate. From the windup position, the pitcher commits to the pitch a lot sooner than when he is in the stretch - I would say as soon as he rocks he has established TOP.

Since it is that time of year, please note that Velho provide the regular season penalty. During tournament the first time an illegal bat enters the batter's box and is discovered: 1. The batter is out (with the option as above to the defensive coach accepting the result of the play if the ball was put into play). 2. The batter is ejected. 3. The manager is ejected. This is why (at least in my district) we remove any illegal bats found during pre-game inspection to hopefully stop this from happening by accident.

U1 is supposed to, but he never shows up at the plate in the video. At one point we have R1 on 3rd and BR between 2nd and 3rd while we wait for the call and still no umpire at the plate. When they conference, we finally see R1 running across the diamond from around 1st base.

Forget where the ball went, who is covering the plate for touches?!?!?!?!?!?!

As the catcher pops and starts his throw, I am taking a large drop step with my right foot, as the ball clears the mound I am letting it turn me (chest to ball) into a cross-over step, and probably getting 2 steps closer to the bag before I am set for the tag attempt.

In OBR, if it wasn't strike 3, the batter would continue with a dead ball strike. High School, the batter is out on interference.

Lets start with this is Indiana High School specific and cannot be found in the FED rulebook. Anyway, Varsity game, starting pitcher goes into the bottom of the 6th and hits his max pitch count for the day (as set down by the state of Indiana). Quick caveat, Indiana has stated numerous times that umpires have ZERO responsibilities in regard to pitch counts and we are to direct coaches/ADs/etc to the state office if they have questions/protests/concerns regarding pitch counts. Manager comes out and replaces the pitcher, I make my changes, announce the change, and at 6 warm-up throws tell the catcher 2 more. Just your standard run of the mill pitching change. As I say 2 more, manager counters that because his starting pitcher pitched his maximum pitches, the relief pitcher gets as many warm-ups as he needs. I don't agree and we stop at 8. After the sixth, manager (very professionally) comes out and says we were both wrong and the relief pitcher gets 16 warm-up throws. I tell him the only time you get more than 8 is injury/ejection/inclement weather. Manager, still calmly and professionally, produces the pitch count rule that the state sends out to the schools and says it is right here, please check the rule book after the game. I tell him it is not in the rule book, because it is a state modification, but I would get with my association after the game. While enjoying my post-game Culvers, I text my association officers and training staff and no one has ever heard of this (remember, umpires are specifically directed not to have anything to do with pitch counts). So, I email the coach and ask him to email me the documentation that he received from the state. Low and behold, paragraph b of the state modification states that when a pitcher is pulled after hitting any pitch count level maximum (there are apparently 5 thresholds) his relief gets 16 warm-up throws. First time I have ever had this come up in a game. Waiting to hear back from the association on how we are going to handle this if it ever comes up again since we don't have dedicated pitch counters in regular season (each school is responsible for their own). Based on this rule, all a coach has to do is say "my pitcher was at a level maximum" and get 8 additional warm-ups for the reliever, all we really have to go on is his pitch count. Like the title says, learn something new everyday.