Velho

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)

I feel like shins could get lighter and less bulky if money were no object - but I expect it'd be like $1,000+ and they wouldn't last too long.

No LL exception (baseball nor softball). Runner hit by a batted ball before through or by and no other fielder with a chance to make a play is an out.

This being LL, the rules for SB and BB are exactly the same for this play. (I can't speak to other SB rulesets).

Tangle Untangle never contemplated BR & F5. Small field, small players, so not that it would have (and it was reactionary in the first place) but an interesting play from yesterday. Rule 6.01(a)(10) Comment: When a catcher and batter-runner going to first base have contact when the catcher is fielding the ball, there is generally no violation and nothing should be called. “Obstruction” by a fielder attempting to field a ball should be called only in very flagrant and violent cases because the rules give him the right of way, but of course such “right of way” is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip a runner even though fielding the ball. If the catcher is fielding the ball and any fielder, including the pitcher, obstructs a runner going to first base, “obstruction” shall be called and the base runner awarded first base. F5 BR Tangle Untangle 2 - HD 720p.mov

My go-tos are below. Keep strengthening the entire chain (lower back all the way down to your ankles). Even without a right ACL and after meniscus surgery on that knee last year, strengthening has enabled me to no longer wear them. Lighter duty that can be worn as much as you like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055QNLR8?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_15&th=1 Heavier for activity (including games) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00598YBJY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

To clarify given the above part of your post: in your mind is the ball live and runners can advance/be put out?

👍 I believe NCAA is the only one that followed suit to align with OBR

The rule changed a few years ago from 'share and direct from the bat to the catcher's hands' to 'sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher' A FOUL TIP is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play.

1b and 3B used to be centered on the 90' base path. They moved into the infield but 2B wasn't moved. But don't get used to it in OBR. It's moved/moving to back edge alignment in the International League second half of this year as a test. https://www.mlb.com/news/new-rule-changes-coming-to-minor-leagues-in-2026 Since I already put my foot in mouth once today I'll ask instead of stating fact... Putting aside the arrows above start at the edge and not PoP of HP, am I wrong in seeing the above improperly shows 90' to front of the base when it's actually 90' from PoP to the back of the base?