Velho

I don't see any applicable OBR changes (though the new 2026 5.06(b)(1) language on when a base is passed could be Interpreted in deciding Abandonment. Story on "rule change" https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-shift-baserunning-rules-changes-2025 History for those not aware https://www.mlb.com/news/running-through-second-base-trend I saw an uncalled similar MLB play a week or two ago.

Good catch! MLB rule 6.01 (a) (3) states: Before two are out and a runner on third base, the batter hinders a fielder in making a play at home base; the runner is out. So, we have a judgment call. Was the pitcher making a play at home base? (in this case proximity being the issue) Yes= interference and an out. No= nothing. Acting as the devil's advocate to play out the conversation... So the Manager (in an even tone if they are well trained and prepared) says "So @BigBlue4u you're saying the pitcher was hindered running towards home. However, it wasn't judged Interference because he wasn't making a play at home?"

I follow the line of thought. What rulebook language are you using to explain the call to the defense?

Ms. Teschmacher, please ring up @johnnyg08. He's conspicuously silent. I'd like to hear his opinion.

I use "at home base" as the location where a batter would be guilty of BI. Others argue that any hindrance of "a play at home base" would be BI. Invoking 6.01(b) on this play with two outs, who do you grab as the out?

There is no call unless and until the defense appeals that the runner missed home plate. That appeal has to happen before the next pitch (or play depending on the ruleset).

Yes. Believe it so much they list it twice: 5.09(b)(8) Any runner is out when he attempts to score on a play in which the batter interferes with the play at home base before two are out. With two out, the interference puts the batter out and no score counts; 6.01 (a)(3) Before two are out and a runner on third base, the batter hinders a fielder in making a play at home base; the runner is out;

What ruleset? NCAA has the same as all baseball rulesets: "11.20.2 Exceptions: (1) If a base runner is advancing to home plate and there are fewer than two outs, the base runner, instead of the batter, is out." USA rulebook is difficult to navigate and I can't find anything one way or the other. I don't have NFHS.

Good question. We don't have BI, we have a member of the team at bat failing to vacate and hindering the pitcher. R3 out other runners return. 6.01(b) What's the distinction you're using to invoke 6.01(b) vs 5.09(b)(8) / 6.01(a)(3)?

Reportedly all 7 were bought out. "According to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, seven MLB umpires have informed the league they will be accepting a buyout offer and retiring after the 2026 season. Among them are CB Bucknor and Laz Diaz, alongside Brian O’Nora, Lance Barksdale, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo and Andy Fletcher." https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/07/05/cb-bucknor-laz-diaz-retire-mlb-umpires-buyout-2026-season/90814368007/

Absolutely. And it didn't take me 30 years to have it happen 😂

Thanks for sharing that. No reason MLB couldn't have added the camps & their own advanced school while continuing to take candidates from the other schools. That would have retained the largest possible pool while addressing the financial access issue (and doing a lot more MLB camps would help that too so it rings a bit hollow imo). Not to mention, as JonnyCat said, the baseball community was better off for having the schools. Feels possibly spiteful and controlling by MLB.

It's my understanding that a significant number of D1 (if not D2, D3) umpires are umpire school graduates that didn't work MiLB. If the above is true (or if it's even only 10%), seems to me that with MLB being the sole umpire school the NCAA will have to expand their entry requirement since the only graduate pool will be MiLB releases or MLB school washouts.

Got ya. I see a problem same as @JonnyCat & @The Man in Blue, a 1/2 day camp to decide who gets to move on is a very small sample size. When hiring you want the largest funnel possible. Plus candidates with skin in the game is valuable. They've severely shrunk that by not coexisting with the schools. This will also ripple to impact NCAA umpiring. It will be something to watch for how it plays out.

What school? Seems MLB has a 4 week that is invite only (primarily if not solely fed by their camps). Are there any non-MLB multi week schools still operating?

What are thoughts for OBR?

This. DTHC, please don't ask for time to go talk to your pitcher after a HBP. "Time is Out Coach"

I was going to go to a default reply but am struggling to see how killing off the schools saves MLB money. If it's not, then it's about control.

Makes sense and appreciate the response. So you didn't call time thinking there simply wouldn't be any plays, or let's keep the ball alive because that's or we get outs and my partner(s) have got it covered? Did that hold with R3 as well?

I can respect that approach but have run into an issue... Or the coach chooses to throw the profanity innocent playing time whiner under the bus. D'oh! For LL* , especially Tournament, I've settled on the need to be very clear on the warning "Manager, profanity is not ok. You are responsible for your team. If it happens again you and the player are gone." If it happens again, I'm tossing the Manager. Bonus if I can identify the player and toss them too. * LL has a clear mission statement. Profanity that the stands, not to mention the entire field, can hear - even when not directed at the other team or even having anything to do with the game - is not acceptable, even in Senior League.

Completely. Story to illustrate: PG tournament in AZ when my son was playing. 14U. Teammate was smart (I'm sure he's an engineer now) and sweet but naive. Outside pitch called a strike. He held his bat out over the plate to absorb the fact and sort out how to hit it next time. Completely an internal exercise. Didn't say a word. PU lit him up pretty good.

Do you always call time when brushing home plate? If not, under what conditions do you call time? Only if there a R3?

16U, profanity in 4th inning from the dugout. It's shutdown and team given a warning. Repeated in 6th inning, again from the dugout so can't identify individual(s). How do you all handle that?

Playing devils advocate (sorry, that's my professional training coming through)... How is F2 tapping their helmer different than a batter drawing a line in the dirt for a strike call - which is widely accepted as instant ejection worthy?