Velho

I have been working to verbalize or signal everything as appropriate. The airmailed pitches usually end up me talking to myself. Reasons: - over communication is often a often a good thing (Applying this everywhere in my life currently) - that Texas softball foul ball. ~Shudder~ - ‘obvious’ pitched balls and fouls aren’t always so obvious, e.g. I was sitting down the 1B line at my sons’ HS game Thursday, and noticed grounders up the 3B line got no verbal or physical action from the PU. I’m sure he thought they were obvious* but why make 2/3 of the Def and Off guess? Removing ambiguity is a big part of the ump’s job, no? * laziness or definition of obvious has crept over time? Idk

Interesting. Not a two way line since only 1B can be a destination. What say you @Gil? Is the MLB Umpire Manual guidance even necessary?

I haven’t tried the F3 but got the Wilson Platinum new this year and like them. I was one 10U teams RBI machine the other night as F1 pinballed some impressive 15 foot high shots off the kneecaps. I didn’t feel a thing.

So same thing, just not called "abandonment". Got it. Thanks.

🤔 Then what rule gets an out on untagged U3K when they simply walk away? (not fighting, curious)

"He's out. He's out! He's still out"

Raises an intersting question: at what point would Javy be out for abandonment? When he crosses back over home plate? I'm with that. Especially if other team doesn't know the rules. Tagging a forced runner is still a force. That runner coming home meant nothing. Pirates willingly joined the circus on that play.

Would a player even know how to utilize a scuffed baseball in this day and age?

Ding ding! In my experience, it's a mix of this and coach experience. Can't go to the ump that said Out because the runner was. That said, the savvier coaches go to the other ump on a fishing expedition trying to get them to slip up and say the wrong thing. The level and time of year (and of course coaches' demeanor) will influence my level of patience. 12U All Stars / know it all coach* - nope. 10U coach who volunteered so kids could play and self admittedly has no clue? "Yeah, ok coach. Here's how this works" (big part of why I do LL). * Yeah coach, remember that pregame debate on the out of dugout bucket? Pick your battles next time.

2 outs. 😶 Every Pirate involved had a baseball IQ of 0 on that play.

I'm in San Jose. Not sure why but it hasn't been that pronounced. Surprises me as well. For my son specifically, I think getting tossed over one in JV 2 years ago may have calmed him down about them (that and OBP apparently not mattering in getting ABs/playing time vs glitzy hits (or DNA, lol).

Always contemplated it because it would fit my nature (understanding the rules, logic, objective application of rules, etc.) but avoided doing it earlier because of umpire abuse fears. When my son got to AAA our league uses volunteers to umpire the games so that's a way I contributed. That was 9 years ago and I've developed to be trusted as a "League and District" umpire (LL D12 and D44 in the San Jose / Bay Area). I haven't gone to San Bernadino yet but will some day. I only do LL and refuse pay for leagues that pay. In fact, my jokes is that I'm bad enough that leagues get paid for me to do games (my company pays charities cash for volunteer hours worked). I'm lucky enough with work that I can self fund this as a hobby. Work: 26 years and counting working in Silicon Valley. I'm a CPA (see above ) but don't do that or even Finance work anymore. I work in Data Centers now. I keep trying to convince my wife umping should be my full time job. She hasn't bit yet.

I love this game as well. Two memorable instances: 1) While coaching LL A ball/7U: sharp grounder that SS takes off the forearm - right on the bone, nasty sound. He's balled up crying (as expected) and I get their first (I was feeding the pitching machine). OHC comes walking out in a mix of impatience & disgust* "Get up. Get up!" My internal dialogue: Ding, ding. That's his boy. 2) PU LL Majors/12U: I knew the Managers son "Jimmy" since he was in my daughters class but wasn't sure which one was him. I was PU and a wild pitch lets R3 score and I hear the Manager saying "That's on you! That's on YOU!"* from the dugout (interior end is way too close to home plate). I look down at the catcher and say "Oh, you're Jimmy, huh?" and get a "yep" in reply. * that I now know is displays of ones internal issues with insecurity and psychological stuff they (me) put on their kids - kids aren't the only ones that learn from this game

I've only worked once with a youth umpire once (LL Majors/12U. I was PU and he was BU). He kicked a call at 2nd (F4 gloved but dropped the ball and he called Out too quickly). Stands were riding him ruthlessly as DHC went out (properly and calmly) to discuss. I know "don't talk to the fence" but I couldn't help it. I lit them them up. "That's a 14 year old kid you're berating"; "No, we're just talking"; "No, you're being rude and mean spirited". I can only hope I woke up at least one parent.

ROFLMAO - yes, so good it deserves that. Excellent Mike. Simply excellent.

My experience cycle has come from my son's growth (now a HS Junior) vs umpiring (I only do LL) but I certainly see that culture. 10U and/or at the head/shoulders even - yikes. But I will l say this years HS season it's all but disappeared for some reason. My son has even stopped (he was second coming of Don Baylor - even though he doesn't know who Don Baylor was). Big support once they get hit but less "wear it" on the near misses. We'll see what happens when we get back into travel. One of the things I love about doing LL, when I hear the "wear it" from the parents now and again, I can say, just loud enough for me, the batter, and catcher: "Easy for them to say. That guy's throwing hard." Never fails to get a knowing nod and/or smile. Side note: sthe withering stare my sons 16U teammates shot the stands when we said it (me too, mindlessly contributing it) shook me awake.

I've had that more than once. I just look at the coach with an unsaid "he's 4'11, 85lbs, and crying. Are you serious right now?"

A few years ago (so about my 3rd or 4th yr umping) personal point of emphasis was this intentional HBP (I swear my son is the second coming of Don Baylor). Anyways, doing LL Majors game plate. Inside pitch, batter statue still, and I start think "oh, I got one here". It hits him on the hand... and he drops, screaming and crying. 😬 Huh, guess that wasn't on purpose.

Coach: It's *FOUL*. It's right there in the name! 🤣

To clarify: the results following the ball being put in play are nullified. Pitch count, steals, advances from passed balls, etc. during the BOO plate appearance stand. Edit: Expand ball put in play to final outcome which includes HBP, BB, catchers interference, etc.

The rules say no interference while the ball is dead. No problem. Not challenging the application. So, let's debate the rule... First base coach grappling the BR about to pass the statue of R1 admiring a 600-ft 2 out grand slam to tie the game (imminent event, only choice is to grab him or lose the game). That's not giving the offense an advantage?

Because the BR may not be hearing or seeing the screaming gesticulating 3rd base coach (I certainly have had that issue as a coach getting a runner to "GO! GO! GO!" on a passed ball). I personally believe grabbing them to wake them up is an advantage to avoid losing on appeal. Same as grabbing them when they run through an arms up & yelling stop sign. Outs on high fives is silly. Touching them to get their attention, that's a different matter. Keep it a bright line and remove the ambiguity.

See embedded links to video from the broadcast https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/how_did_the_umpires_miss_this_call_in_the_cardinals_cubs_game/s1_127_34976621 I went to the MLB archived game (2:50 mark) nothing much extra shown there. Play was called fair and left fair. Not reversed. Nothing definitive to show it was wrong. Ball was foul at a moment but started to curl back to the line and view is blocked at time player picks it up.

What is the mechanic on the initial 1B fly by? (I'd like to specifically know LL- @Rich Ives thoughts?)

What's the hypothetical outcome if this happens in High School (NFHS or FED)? NCAA?