noumpere

Agreed. But this was NOT initiating malicious contact. NFW. Any conversation about that should last less than 5 seconds.

Assuming the ball hit the hands first, it's a strike and a dead ball. No appeal needed (or allowed).

Nope. It's a rules issue. If you know the rule, you won't balk it. If you don't know the rule, you might.

Two schools of thought: 1) Go up the line o you are closer and the catch, and so F2 doesn't block you. But, you have to look way over your left shoulder to see R3. 2) Back up on 1BLE so you are still on the line for fair/foul and have a less-than-90* turn to see R3. Either can work, but whichever you choose, the gods will conspire so the other choice would have been better.

If a runner misses the plate and is attempting to return, he must be tagged. BR is no longer "overruning first" -- so it's just like any other runner off a base -- must be tagged to be out.

Depending on the specific timing of the play, the skill of the umpires, and U1's ability to move, U1 can help with the tag-up at third. He can move to a deep C type position to get U1 in his peripheral vision, or he can glance over his shoulder from B at the moment the ball is touched -- U1 can get eyes to R3 more quickly than PU can get his eyes there. In all this, U1 has to be sure not to give up his primary responsibilities.

Because it doesn't look good to run out to the mound To break up the meeting in order to get back to the game.

NFW is this MC. Also, NFW is this OBS.

Depends on the rules code. Allowed in OBR. Not allowed in FED (but hurdling the outstretched arms is allowed)

Drops or fails to catch? The former implies (or can be interpreted as) "catches and then lets go"

There is (or was) a thought that BU should be closest to the lead runner. Most now have BU in B in your situation. I'd ask your local association. For the record, I think B is the correct choice here, with a *possible* exception if you know a team likes to try to pick off at third a lot.

Since the catcher's THROW did not retire the RUNNER, I'm going with that and the better gets away with one.

"caleb -- if you think the batter is too deep, just ask me and I'll draw in the back of the box. But, I can't have you drawing it in after the fact -- you know how bad that looks."

In the recent past (maybe last summer), wasn't there some discussion about pitchers who did not take a full windup in an attempt to fool the batter (not a quick pitch)? Did any of that guidance help with the current play (i.e., did any of that guidance talk about a step to the plate)? I don't recall; just trying to see if there's something more clear out there.

I think I wasn't clear. I think all codes *should* rule as NCAA does -- the act of tagging the base caused the ball to come out and the runner should be safe

I don't think what you describe is a fall. I'd keep the ball live.

An old version of MLBUM (emphasis added): Note that under the Official Baseball Rules, a fielder is protected while in the act of fielding a batted ball. In addition, a fielder is also protected while in the act of making a play after having fielded a batted ball. If, after a player has fielded a batted ball but before he is able to throw the ball, a runner hinders or impedes such fielder, the runner shall be called out for interference. Furthermore, a runner who is judged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether the hindrance was intentional or not.

I probably have the same ruling in all codes, but I think I 'm in the minority.

I don't think we really want to encourage that. What age level was the play? The umpires are learning, too.

If a fielder goes out of play after catching the ball, it's an award to the runners.

Assuming part (b) was the first re-entry, this sound legal to me.

I would get an out on that. (I haven't watched the OP)

“without the liability to be put out” does not supersede the "touch first second, third and home in that order" (or whatever the specific wording is)

It's not "taking liberties with the rule". It's understanding that this statement from the OP: is very likely not correct. Either BR wasn't going to try to advance, in which case it wasn't OBS to begin with, or it was OBS, which means BR was trying to advance. And, it's knowing that in advance and being aware enough of the whole play -- including the actions and voices of the coach and of the defense and knowing you can be slow with the OBS call (if that's the one you want to make), but once you call it it's hard to put the cat back in the bag. Getting all that right will let you make the right call at the right time.

That should always be the case whether there's 1 umpire or 6. Just do it; no need to say it.