Velho

Pedantically, runners have to be in contact with the base at TOP. It's closed bases but a different rule than softball (it's not a look back rule). But it's not needed. R2 can see if from the bag (at worse leaning out to the right but still in contact with the bag).

This was the New England bracket so they should know that well

Good example of why, in small field 4 man, we should go out even if it's a "no brainer" hit (which this wasn't but easily could have been if it was 20 feet right or left)

This is the fourth out play that came to mind (11 years ago! Though it's made the internet rounds a few times). May be others but it doesn't seem to have become rampant.

Heavily depends on the file format. .txt file, you're pretty good. Kindle or in-app, like you said, easy peasy for them. PDF, if you generated it yourself, probably good. At more root level, it would be trivial for an OS to be changed to delete/restrict something (and OS's phone home constantly. Plus it's trivial to stop OS usage if you're not online - ask any "smart device" owner). Text file in open-sourced OS? You're good to go. Otherwise? Technically possible If you're lucky, they only burn the printouts

https://www.mlb.com/news/jen-pawol-to-become-mlb-first-female-umpire Jen Pawol will make history this weekend as the first woman to be an umpire in a regular-season MLB game. Pawol will ump three games during this weekend’s Marlins-Braves series in Atlanta, including both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader and the series finale on Sunday, when she will be behind home plate. The doubleheader necessitated adding a fifth umpire to the crew, since each home plate umpire skips the other game they’re not working. Pawol has steadily climbed the umpiring ranks since beginning her career in Rookie ball in 2016. She reached Triple-A in 2023 and became the first woman to umpire that level’s championship game. In 2024, Pawol became the first female umpire in a Spring Training game since Ria Cortesio in 2007.

For completeness, here is the applicable 2025 "Make the Right Call" Situation identified by @jimurrayalterego Also implicitly addresses the "responsible" aspect @Richvee focused in on.

Thanks. That publication hasn't been on my radar (or most anyone I talk to) but it did trigger my memory as where they identified how to handle the bat knob rule change. Have to add it to the toolbox. Why they didn't update those in the RIM (or -gasp- the rulebook, I don't know). Little changes are ok imo. Doesn't have to be big bang only. It's a captive org so should be easier than other rulesets.

I think this is the key for how this was handled/interpreted. When it mentions coaches, it doesn't say the coach is warned or ejected for the actions of the plyer. The coach himself would have to be accused of relaying the stolen signs. It's not like FED's illegal bat where the coach goes for the player's actions. Yeah.... ok. "Responsible" is open to interpretation. imo, Manager is responsible for continued behaviors of the team after a warning. As well as coaching it in the first place since we can often tell from talking to the manager if it's the players doing it themselves vs being coached. Regardless, the runner at a minimum would fall under the last sentence "Those responsible... shall be ejected from the game for a team’s subsequent offense." Also, ejection only, not an out. There seems to be a sentiment across the interwebs that it was a game changer since the inning should have ended given 2 outs, and the next pitch HR wouldn't have happened.

As an Instructor Comment? Sure it's 2025? LL says they didn't do one (or you have a preview copy of 2026?). Here is the 2024 RIM screenshot

I'm with you. I don't see the wiggle room in the language. There were language additions in 2025 to add warnings (which is what most umpire did in practice anyway). I hadn't realized the change (never saw it noted along with jewelry, arm sleeves, etc): (2025 adds underlined) "The stealing and relaying of signs to alert the batter of pitch selection and/or location is unsportsmanlike behavior. If, in the judgment of the umpire, this behavior is occurring, the team manager and those responsible including any player(s) and/or coach(es) shall be warned after the first offense. Those responsible including any player(s), coach(es), and/or manager shall be ejected from the game for a team’s subsequent offense. Regarding the "it's part of the game position", I follow that and think it's an interesting discussion on how far that sentiment goes. "Sliding hard to break up the double play", beanballs, sticky stuff, etc. There is a sentiment that those are part of the game as well. Back to LL, I imagine they are trying to avoid the drama that often comes with sign stealing (whether cravenly, earnestly, or somewhere in between). This specific case feels excessively craven. Like the rule or not, it's there. Should have been ejections on the second offense, ESPN and social media be damned.

Not to belabor the point (ok, I am but then I'll stop) - unless you have a non-DRM file, it's a rental that they grace you with continued usage of.

I know of a 2023 PDF that fell off the back truck. Nothing since has hit the pavement though.

Tangent: Anything you "own" that is not in a physical form that you control when it can be altered is only being rented. John Deere tractor, electronics that can receive firmware updates (that includes a lot of cars btw), anything that has to phone home, the list goes on and on.

I thought college did... Am I making that up? You are right. Changed in 2020-2021. That's what I get for using the internet instead of back to source material. FYI - 2025-2026 NCAA rulebook can be found here https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/242d-2877412/RULES-NCAA-2025-26.pdf 2-37 FOUL TIP A batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and is legally caught by the catcher� It is not a foul tip unless it is caught, and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play�

Quote of the year right there

Harper Check Wing EJ - 2025.08.01.mov

R1, F3 off the bag, F1 pickoffs with a throw to 1B that goes wild (since F3 wasn't there). R1 advanced to 3B. R1 then placed on 2B. (I think I got all that right).

For those interested in a deeper dive (including MLBUM cites), here is a thread from almost exactly 1 year ago

For clarity of anyone else reading this: That is only for Pro levels (MLB, MiLB) [Edit: and NCAA]. As of 2025, the other levels [edit: high school and Little League] have not adopted that change.

Let me help you out boomer

The thread meandered into trying to understand the rationale behind specific mechanics but, back to OP, that's where this started. No blame on the PU. To be more succinct and direct: Why the F%^&% is the plate umpire for a LL State Majors Final not qualified to do the job? [Again - possibly through no fault of his own] I can only speak to my local district and region (remember - I ONLY do LL) and the fact is we take this seriously. There is a core group of nearly 20 of us that work at this like we're going to the MLB. Even those a tick below that level of engagement are held accountable to our same standards. Those folks that aren't bought in to that same level self select out of high level games or aren't chosen. Very, very few of those game assignments are outright questionable "what the hell?" assignments. As I mentioned above, I asked the question even though I knew the answer. I was trying to be open minded and gracious (and hoping for another answer). My frustration comes from the fact that myself and local crew are damn good, some are even great, and there aren't enough top level games to go around while I have to see this online. The level of inconsistency is demoralizing, not to mention it feeds the "LL umpire" stereotype that allows it to be used as a pejorative.

C with R2 puts you in line of fire of a pickoff. As you said -we've got a U3. No need to go to C. B is the best position when inside. P.S. Go outside with R3 only.

Two Three things: - Front offices are wasting time with xFIPIBITYPIPIPPTY if they can't even send these clips to the team of basics - The Giants R2 definitely wasn't trying to grab a quick 90. He had no clue and panicked when the ball hit the dirt - Where are the "Wait until they are camped under it to call it" folks on this play? Giant IFF 1.mov Giants IFF 2.mov