NavyBlue

I wouldn't call R2 out since he's getting home on the OBS, but if he actually does interfere with the throw and knocks it away into foul territory preventing a play on R1, then I might have R1 out for the interference. No penalty for an "attempt" to interfere but there could be in he's successful at interfering. Real time judgment call.

I have always considered that a ball that travels through the airspace above foul territory is not foul because of that, and a ball that travels through the airspace above dead ball territory is likewise not dead because of that.

I did the black duct tape thing and it just got messy after time, so I went the cobbler route. Very happy with the result. He just does the heel, not the sides. My other pair has more damage on the sides from shin guard rubbing. Those are my "mudder shoes" now.

My chapter called it probably 15-20 times during the regular season this year. A little grumbling from the coaches, but they all knew the rule. Wasn't a big deal.

I did the same thing with a cobbler to three pairs of plate shoes. Held up all season and ready for upcoming season.

With Vet partner we both salute. Non-Vet partner it's hand over heart.

US Navy '90-'19

Here's another statement from the website...

This is from the NFHS Digital FAQ page...

NFHS website states we will not be able to access books from computers, only from phones and tablets.

"Once the ball is in the infield and playing action has stopped the ball is dead." Playing action is interpreted to mean when the runner has stopped running. The instant a "standoff" has begun we kill it since the runner is not running. This encourages the defense to get the ball in the infield, but they also have to have control of it to stop the runners from advancing.

Use NFHS rule 3-4-5 to allow this. This rule is for charged conferences, but it's the same principle.

When you're writing a situation or case play you might refer to the BASES as 1B, 2B, 3B so if it would be confusing if you used the same abbreviation for the fielders.

Lots of varsity doubles on weekdays in city of Austin because they share centrally managed fields. Singles in surrounding ISDs.

Here's the 2025 FED "intervening play" interp... SITUATION 18: With R3 on third and R2 on second and one out, B4 hits a small ground ball which dies in front of home plate. R3, getting a good jump on the pitch, slides and touches home plate just as the catcher is picking up the baseball. R2 has not yet touched third when the catcher throws to first base, beating B4 to first. B4, while running to first, is out of the running lane as B4 nears first base. RULING: This is running-lane interference by B4. When the catcher makes the throw to first, interference is declared at the moment the throw is made, and B4 is out. Since the interference is at the time of the throw, R3’s score counts as he had touched home before the throw. R2 is returned to second base.

Asked some guys to put together the NFHS Rules 10 Commandments; the foundational things which underpin many of our rulings. When you get a complex situation, what are the mantras that help us untangle what has happened? These are NOT umpiring mantras, nor are they mechanics related. These are purely associated with the rules. Yes, they are shortened, we didn't want to write out entire rules. Just a fun project to see if we can create something useful to pass out to new umpires (or old ones). Welcome your comments/additions/deletions/expansion to 15, whatever. Ball is dead when a pitch hits a batter. Obstruction is a minimum of one base award. No run can score when the BR is third out before touching 1B. Balks are immediate dead ball. DH can never have a CR. Only one fielder can be protected. Cannot block a runner without possession of the ball. Starters and substitutes are locked into a batting position. A runner never has to slide. One from the rubber, two from the field (F1)

NFHS 6-2-4d1. This is the rule about the batter stepping out of the batter's box with two feet and getting one strike called for that action, and if the pitcher legally delivers a pitch, getting a second strike called. Had a question posed last night I had never thought about. Perhaps it's obvious and I just overlooked it (because of rareness of enforcement). The rule states that the ball is live if the pitcher legally delivers. So, if the batter had one strike, before this two feet out of the box shenanigans began, and if that legally delivered pitch happens to be uncaught, can the batter-runner advance to 1B on the uncaught third strike rule? Both strikes two and three were called for rule violations, not because the ball was struck at, or potentially even in the strike zone. If the ball remains live by rule, I'd think he could advance. Thanks.

Tough to tell from the video if he slid directly into the base and extended through, or if he slid to the 3B side. If directly through I've got nothing, even with the contact. If to the 3B side, then I've got an 8-4 FPSR violation.

My chapter down in Austin is an affiliate partner. This is a great course for a new umpire. It is especially useful in the offseason when we're onboarding new umpires that missed our big annual in person training program. Keeps me from having to hold an in-person training clinic every month throughout the year. I have watched every single video lesson. Same good quality as his regular videos. I tell new guys that if they pay for the course, complete it, and work the following spring high school season with us, then we reimburse them the cost. It's a great program and well worth it for new umpires.

Do you think it's a balk because... 1) his footwork has committed him to the pitch; 2) he's not allowed to throw to an unoccupied base; 3) some other reason?

Great folks running that business down in San Antonio. They'll take good care of you. I buy from them routinely here in Texas. Have purchased from them when they come to the state baseball and football meetings and have shopped in their physical store as well. You can shop with confidence.

I'll reach out to him.

Yes, he's worked for me down here. What do you need?

"You make your reputation behind the plate, and you lose it on the bases." I believe they are equally challenging positions if executed properly. Never underestimate the bases. Folks can accept a few missed pitches, but they never accept a missed call on the bases. There are many calls (two hundred or more) behind the plate in a game, but only a few on the bases. Missed base calls get everyone's attention. That said, I'm taking the plate when offered my choice, if for nothing else than the game management issue noted previously.

He moved backwards in the box and turned to watch the anticipated play at 3B, interfering with the catcher's throw in the process.