Velho

Rank the below in priority of causality: A) PU timing that hasn't adjusted to the new "challenge NOW!" environment B) Weak low visibility batter challenge C) PU looking at his pointing finger that reduces his vision window D) Pirate Mgr is a [fill in pejorative of choice] E) Everyone should just calm the heck down

Good to hear NFHS expanded and supported a possible reading of their rules that aligns with your second paragraph. I hear you, and not fighting adjudication but rather pointing out the rule. Does OBR have similar interps as NFHS? If not, I'm thinking if you use that as an argument for F1 feint while touching the rubber not being a balk, you may well lose the Protest.

Incrediwear That reminds me that I'm a proponent of open patella for any compressive brace. The opening helps the kneecap track as it slides without compressing it down and irritating the underside (chondromalacia) or patella tendinitis. Both are painful and mobility limiting. For me, the Incrediwear is fine since it's not overly compressive in general and particularly at the kneecap. That linked brace is a beast. Never seen it before but I certainly believe it works.

Ding ding ding ding! 🛎️ You're on to something (pardon the pun)!! I made this one addition, if you please. Looking at the rulesets (because this is more interesting than my morning conference call) OBR uses the phrases "while in contact with the pitcher’s plate" and "pitcher, while touching his plate,". It doesn't use "engage" in the manner we seem to be using it (though it does use "disengage" in addressing the pitcher coming off the rubber). NFHS is similar, except for it adds #1 & #2. The OP (sans the PU explanation) has some rule support given #2 (imo): "When a pitcher is attempting to field a batted or thrown ball or is throwing to a base while the pivot foot is clearly off the pitcher's plate, the pitcher's status is that of an infielder" "pitcher has engaged the pitcher's plate" is needed put the ball in play. "in contact with the pitcher's plate" "Balk. If there is a runner or runners, any of the following acts by a pitcher while the pitcher is touching the pitcher's plate is a balk:"

I wholeheartedly agree with this.

Huh. Thanks. Not sure why that didn't occur to me. Regardless, in case it's not clear, I don't have an issue with U2 being outside in a 4 umpire crew.

👍 “There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs.” ― Thomas Sowell,

LL goes outside on the 60' field for same reasons as softball. Inside is just too close. LL is inside on the 70' and 90' field. As for a closer initial starting position, which they do across the board, my take is it's about having mechanics across a wide variety of umpires with differing skill and mobility. I adjust to a given situation, even if it's outside the instructions, based on the given game players abilities, my mobility, and the field (most of which aren't so great).

Do we know why MLB U2s go outside?

I'll echo the sentiment: I'm not MLB, NCAA, or even HS currently. No breakfasts but have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express multiple times... The question I have is: what is there to learn from this play? I have experience (inequivalent level, minor difficulty, barely the same, but experience nonetheless) with outside U2 in a 4 umpire crew since the last few years I've been doing 15-20 4 umpire games a year (and work with folks doing 30-50+ a year during that time period). I only did 4 U2s this year (including my final game of the season last week) since others needed the U2 reps for their upcoming assignments. The thing that struck me about this play was that U2 was inside F6 and F4. Our manual pushes us hard to get close to the bag and fielders but never closer to the plate than they are. With infielders wide, I'll get as little as a foot behind them (but still outside a 10 foot circle centered on them). It's precarious and you've got to be on your toes.

Correct fro both baseball and softball LL is 4" off plate for 12U and below, 6" for older ages. (that means different boxes for a 60' field if older vs younger softball). Yep. And that they are narrower as well.

Like the turf at a local school that has the boxes at 4" 😳

Ok, let's get serious then... Cap crease or no crease?

Working link for @BLWizzRanger's recommendation https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B44SWC67?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Nobody would or should ask that question in the OP unless it specified NFHS. Can you expand on that? How is NFHS different than other rulesets? It reads the same to me. NFHS 8-4-2-k Any runner is out when the runner: is contacted by a fair batted ball before it touches an infielder, or after it passes any infielder, except the pitcher, and the umpire is convinced that another infielder has a play. (5-1-1f, 6-1-5) OBR 5.09(b)(7) Any runner is out when: He is touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ball has gone through, or by, an infielder and no other infielder has a chance to make a play on the ball.

This is a consideration for me when I do 10U and kids are 4' tall

It will fail, at least momentarily at some point. Also, when you roll it a ball but call a strike and the board shows you ignoring it or rolling all the way around to correct it... oh boy...

Only if through or by a fielder. Getting hit by a batted ball that the runner had no reason to expect the defense to field is still an out.

I recall (but maybe imagined that) exact reference. Other than the softball above, the only thing I'm able to find is in regards to a bunted ball: 7-11-o "After hitting or bunting a foul ball, the batter-runner intentionally deflects the course of the ball that has a chance of becoming fair" Is there another cite I'm missing?

added dimension: is the strike zone a D, 🛑, or 🟦 shape

Do we have anything in baseball like the below from USA Softball Rulebook? 33-A "If, in the judgment of the umpire, the foul fly ball could not have been caught with ordinary effort, a strike is called, the ball is dead, and the batter remains at bat." 33-D " If interference occurs by the runner on a foul fly ball not caught but, in the umpire’s judgment, could have been caught with ordinary effort had interference not occurred, the runner is out and the batter is also out. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the foul fly ball could not have been caught with ordinary effort, a strike is called, the ball is dead, and the batter remains at bat."

Can you expand on this? Not sure I follow.

Rich can speak for himself obviously but I find the Incrediware comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time. They are fabric and not neoprene so breath and they aren't overly tight. Just comfortable to wear all day. They won't limit motion or provide as much support as neoprene sleeves (of which there are varying levels of braces and weight). I think they are good for lingering knee issues in a non-high activity level setting.

That is some sort of Zen level or hash pipe level of thinking, my friend. "Inaction is an action" (agreed though on possible "Hey man, is that Freedom Rock?" tones)