Velho

fwiw, most Nike and Adidas don't work for me and I previously used NB wides (they were meh for me). The Japanese Mizunos fit great (and I feel they are much more mobile friendly).

It's only INT if it works too well.

And with bases loaded for out #3 And Murray State today it was 3-2 (I think) for out #2 that would have brought the tying run to the plate Yep. Bit of self blame for the coaches (if that is a reason for the approach) since the exceptions to the mantra aren't understood by most.

Yes, 100% intentional. Making it an automatic strike has cleaned this up in a big way, but it does still happen. I used to call it several times a season, but it was only called once (by a partner) in almost 50 games I had this year. I didn't have any this year while on the plate. Agree (even though I didn't play at a high level which "anyone who did knows these batters couldn't possibly be doing it on purpose because milliseconds to act, blah, blah"). Now that you mention it, I've seen it reduce over time at the 14U and down levels too. Didn't have any this year in 40+ games.

Do you think these are intentional by the batter (regardless how big or not they are supposed to be to be called)?

Interesting. Thanks for the inside info. Felt comparable to the Coastal Carolina call which was Confirmed. So maybe they've shifted? Or BIG is a cross section of game level by batter movement, i.e. big move x regular (little) game == little move x BIG game

I loved the lean in call in the 9th.

Hopefully the manager will do that but I don't see language forcing anything. Right, wrong, or indifferent, now that there is no minimum requirement (offensively or defensively) there is nothing to remedy.

You really want one? Or are asking if there is one? During tournament with mandatory CBO there is no minimum play requirement. That said, if you're purely an umpire at the time, turn it over to the TD. That's their responsibility.

From your description it sounds like the call was correct. "The offense can't induce a balk" which is to say that, if the pitcher did what otherwise would have been a balk because of the batter's action, that is a no play. It happens. Not a big deal. Simply reset. Seems the umpire is being gracious by taking the blame. Most of us would explain that the batter caused the "balk".

Foul ball call before loss Pennsylvania HS 2025.06.mov Walk off Balk Pennslyvania HS 2025.06.mov

Couple thoughts: - There are different versions of small field 3 man. I haven't found an official LL guide so when to go inside, when to stay out, and how to cover when U1 or U3 goes out on a fly ball all need to be pregamed. - For the situations you described, I think the U3 4 man mechanics would apply. I've attached the pdf (not sure if that will work. Lmk if it doesn't and I'll get it to you another way). - For situation 3, I wouldn't go to Position 2 pre pitch. If Position 1 is blocking you (which I haven't had an issue with seeing leaving early or check swing help from there), I'd straddle the line to clear up your view. Position 2 would take away your ability to cover F/F. I don't think it's necessary but work it out with your crew. You'd have to pre-game it to give PU full 3B F/F. - Regarding coming to point of base and the base coach, I call it "the dance". I'll tell them 1st inning we're working in the same space so we'll work around each other - trying to keep things friendly. That said, if they are bad dance partners I'm going to go where I need to go and will talk to them about it. "Coach, I need to get to this spot so I can see your runners touch, etc." Let them know why it's in their best interest to let you work. Of course, you could start with that. Up to you. - For backpicks, you work into the wedge every pitch, then back to Position 1, then back to the wedge after the pitch is caught by F2 and R3 comes off. Simply keep working. - Don't be afraid to ask and observe your local umpires about the intricacies. Some of these (base coach, seeing things pre-pitch set) of also big field applicable so I'm sure we'll get others to weigh in. Lastly, appreciate you. Have fun. 😁 4-Umpire-System-60-Foot-Diamond-02-2025.pdf

From 2019 MLBUM: 60. "(i) It is legal for a right-handed pitcher to begin a pickoff move to first base by first moving his pivot foot in the direction of third base provided that he makes a legal step toward first base with the non-pivot foot before throwing there and provided that the move is continuous and without interruption. A pitcher who makes such a pickoff move is considered to be in contact with the rubber when he makes his throw to first base." Further, in regards to disengaging first, it has to be a discrete action. A jump tune like movement that takes the pivot foot back is not a proper disengagement. From @Senor Azul here in an older post on this topic: Here is how George Demetriou explains it in his 2019-2020 edition of the College Baseball Rules Study Guide (p. 140): Once the pitcher has assumed either position, he may switch to the other only by first properly disengaging the rubber (stepping off). To be legal, the first movement must be the pivot foot in a rearward direction (9-1a5). The pivot foot must be placed on the ground behind the rubber before the free foot is moved or his hands are separated (9-1e Note). Well shown here.

Another reason (beyond Jomboy) of leaving your mask on if you've got sketchy vibes on the coaches?

Wouldn't that be fair? "or that touches first, second or third base" Oh... yeah....

Fair and valid point. Like softball and baseball, I think those differences are factors that hurt umpire and audience participation such that they should be striving to lessen them, not needlessly expand them.

... and does outreach free clinics in NorCal (not sure if he does other locations as well or not) and teaches at Wendlestedt (not the deciding factor in a call up but certainly helps)

Why make needless differences between men's and women's rulesets? "[Men's] Coaches will get at least one challenge per game but must have a timeout to use one. A successful challenge means a coach gets another one; if the challenge is unsuccessful, the coach may not challenge another call." "Women’s coaches won’t need a timeout to challenge a call, but an unsuccessful challenge would lead to a technical foul for the excessive timeout."

“Fast pitch”??? As in, softball? And, “backswing”? You mean on the follow-thru? Let go of the bat?? Harkening back to another thread on dealing with thrown bats... add this to the file of real incidents of why it needs to be addressed.

We have to call this Umpire Interference the same as we have to call an out for a caught batted ball. It's non-negotiable. ... unless we're play Calvin-ball instead of baseball 🤣

From LL Definitions (extra emphasis mine). A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base As mentioned, 3/4 of 2nd base is "beyond first base or third base". In your hypothetical, either side of second base is the OF. Only a ball that landed on the inner 1/4 of 2nd base and went untouched into foul territory before 1st or 3rd would be foul. (do we share the beer someone just won?)

Heard the same opinion recently when someone was discussing about a banger at 1B to close a no hitter. "Give it to the pitcher!"

Where is this quote (cite?) from?

I was happy U2 caught it in real time (beauty of 4 man) and came up big.

Heart and hopes overriding logic and fair play. Something I keep reminding myself, especially as we head into LL postseason.