LC Ump

I've been taught to drop step and "open the gate" for the catcher to side he goes to retrieve the ball, just like you would on a foul pop. Keep the "gate" open and hold on to the point of plate while checking the status of the ball to make sure it hasn't gotten lodged or gone out of play. If the ball ends up right or left of the side of your initial step, you can take another drop step to get square to where the catcher's throw will be coming from but otherwise hold on to the point of plate From there you should be out of the catcher's throwing lane and able to track the fielder covering the plate (most likely the pitcher). As the throw happens use whatever read steps needed to get yourself into the "wedge" and your eyes into the "window" to make the call.

Thanks for clarifying that. Good for the DC. Only other recourse would have been for U1 to ask for a crew consultation, which would have been understandable given that this was a play involving a rule LL made mandatory for regional and WS play only a week or so before those games started.

Since this play in involves a runner making an attempt to advance to second (not one where the runner returns immediately) it definitely raises the question of why he was allowed to return to anything but the white base...and why no one on the defensive team seems to have asked.

This is how this issue was addressed by LL for all baseball regional and WS umpires after the confusion in the LL softball regionals. No violation. Unless there was an attempt to advance to second, the runner was to still be deemed as "immediately" making their way back to the first base even if they briefly "detoured" via the orange.

And all of what grayhawk says is exactly how LL tournament umpires have been instructed/trained to judge obstruction this year.

The call on the field that went to review was out/safe at 3b. U3 made the safe call but it was overturned by the replay officials. A head first slide returning to a base in LL is legal, so that was not in question (although whether or not a slide is head first IS reviewable as the call at the end of first CT/NJ game in the regional shows.) Obstruction is not reviewable, however, so we're left with U3's judgement here. The LL rule prohibits blocking the base without the ball but like other codes also specifies that the act must impede the runner. Don't see that there was any "impediment" until after F5 had the ball.

Agree with others who've commented about the increased/improved sight lines on the Mirage. A huge selling point in my book. When I show the mask to other umpires they are immediately impressed by how light it is, which is a real selling point of course. They don't notice that other feature, but I always point it out in making the case that it's likely the best mask on the market right now.

I've been wearing the Mirage exclusively since it arrived from GDS about 3 weeks ago - high school, college, men's senior baseball, Little League. Paired with TW pads it has been an absolute pleasure to have on. As others may have already said it's light as a feather, has great sight lines, eliminates the need for a dangling TG...and the frame stands up like a champ to anything that whacks into it. Will definitely be investing the GDS pads to go with it when they become available.

Coaches' comments were profane, personal and persistent. Two out of three qualifies for an ejection. They were three for three.

When it's in your dugout, it's for and about your team and your teammate. When it's out of your dugout it may still be meant for them, but it's also now about the other team, other players, and the fans, many of them not your own.

U3 is in Deep B with R1 only in 3 man.

Although not stated in the rule, it's implied that plays involving runners leaving early are delayed dead balls - drop the red flag, allow the play to conclude (which is the language used in 7.13 Exception) and then assess whatever base awards or "returns" are called for based on the result after you've killed it. Similar to balks at the upper levels and obstruction on a runner on whom a play is not being made...

I have this version I copied from an LL Umpire RIM to use in a manual I created for my local LL. Hope I attached it correctly and is something you can use. Umpire in Slot .docx

Yes, multiple times, both for stuff I bought for myself or needed for my state association. Competitive prices and always shipped/delivered quickly. They have a decent rewards program as well and it can help save a few bucks on shipping costs or the item itself. Can only say positive things about Ump-Attire but Purchase is very good, too.

1975 World Series Game 3. Batter Ed Armbrister bunts. Catcher Carlton Fisk fields.

I agree with @jms1425. NCAA Appendix F 20 Secon Action Clock #9 states that if the batter does not enter the box AND become alert to the pitcher by the 10 sec mark, it's a violation. I read that as saying the batter is responsible for both things - being in the box and alert to what's happening on the mound. If he's in the box prior to the 10 seconds and for some reason becomes "unalert" after that you should rule the same as if he still wasn't in the box at all.

I think OBR's "in the judgement of the umpire" language gives you room to rule either way on this play even though the runner is out of the running lane - that the throw created the fielder's problem, not the runner. And as others have said, so does the fact that the runner is allowed to be out of the lane on his last step. I only meant to point out that where the throw comes from is not part of the rule.

Where the throw originates isn't in the definition of "RLI" in OBR (5.09(a)(1)), NCAA (7.11p) or NFHS (8-4-1g), only that the runner must be in the running lane "while the ball is being fielded to first base." Since this was a summer wood bat league game, it's fair to assume that it was being played under OBR, so with a runner not in the running lane, "if in the umpire's judgement" there was interference "with the fielder taking the throw," it's RLI.

Agree that the comma creates confusion. OBR has clearer language. Rule 6.02 (a)9: "The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher's plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch." And the NCAA rule makes it a balk if the pitcher is merely off the dirt circle but begins a lot like OBR. Rule 9-3-f: "While not in possession of the ball, the pitcher..."

Yes, agree with the above completely. By "preventative officiating" I meant addressing the potential for shenanigans at the BOD/DA level in advance of the season or tournament - to support the "spirit" of the rule, which I believe is to give managers more freedom/opportunity to give more players more playing time, not a way to gain a competitive advantage.

I agree. Great observation. The law of unintended consequences that will require some "preventative officiating?" We use CBO in our league's regular season and playoffs, and it's come up then, especially playoffs. No question it could come up during tournament season, so I'm asking our DA to put it on the agenda for our next district meeting.

The same will apply in tournament play. From the 2023 LL Rules "Significant Updates" on the LL website: b. If a player is injured, becomes ill, or must leave the game site after the start of the game, the team will skip over him/her when his/her time at bat comes up without penalty. If the injured, ill, or absent player returns, he/she is merely inserted into their original spot in the batting order and the game continues. Also, if a player arrives later to a game site, if the manager chooses to enter him/her in the lineup (see Rule 4.01 NOTE 2), he/she would be added to the end of the current lineup.

So what base did you award R2, if any? He wasn't advancing to a base but returning to one already acquired. What was your "discretion."

And @noumpere says we're wrong and I can see why. R1's retreat back to 1b would reinstate the force and, as he says, a 3rd out on force play would then negate the run. Apologies. Thanks for setting me straight!

Another way to say things, maybe better, and on which we agree!