LMSANS

Here are some action shots of my uncle and his balloon mechanics. These go back to the early 80s.

I'm locking this one up.

You’re question was answered and clarified.

The rule is time of throw. The deflection (new impetus)is not a baseball thing.

So the thinking that the mask falling off from a hit is no longer a good thing? I am not familiar with the science.

No difference for NJSIAA. Straight NFHS Force Play Slide Rule - the runner is required to slide (legally) or avoid getting in the way of the throw. I have a double play.

Coaches are responsible for spending in this particular district. If he uses up his allotment before the season is over, he may be buying them himself. This district also takes months to pay.

I wear 2 bags for baseball and 1 for softball. most HS games I start with 3 baseballs and the pitcher has 1. Softball is usually 1 for me & 1 for each pitcher (covid excepted). Some schools have gotten more liberal with baseballs due to field limitations. Had a game in the local minor league field and the home school went through a whole box. Coach was beside himself. Softball fields seem to be in more open areas and foul balls are more easily recovered.

Do you have an appeal or a runner being tagged while off the base?

Signals are what is common in your organization or area. We still use the hand on chest. Some guys do the finger/fist to hat. It doesn’t matter as long as you and your partner are on the same page. Personally, I only use the wipe off if it happens during an AB. YMMV

I feel the need to point out that "distracting" is in the eye of the umpire.

Welcome to NJSIAA... https://www.allsportsofficials.com/collections/njsiaa-baseball-softball hats are only required for state tournaments. My association dislikes the black shirt for baseball and discourages it. Only authorized vendor, although there are a couple of other guys to get it from. Oh yeah....this style/logo is required for all sports.

In NFHS, as long as one foot is on the line or in fair territory all is good.

Multi-purpose turf fields can look like a linear Rorshach test. "Coach, the foul line is the third white one from the left..."

HS baseball has been normal ball handling since the season started. HS softball has been each team has 4 balls and they are the only ones that touch them. They will continue through state playoffs. These are NJSIAA standards.

I don't believe so. The "advantageous 4th out" is by appeal only. I'm sure I will be corrected if I'm wrong.

After several years of stitch marks on my neck in HS (70s), I am very happy to wear every time behind the plate. I used to wear the 4” until I got hit and it got lodged in my cp. I went to the 6” and have not had the same issue.

Here is the rule 8-7 from the NFHS book.

IN NFHS softball, it is called catcher obstruction.2-3-6b Both infractions are delayed dead ball calls. The illegal pitch will be ruled a ball if it is not hit. The obstruction would then be enforced at the option of the offense, giving the batter 1B and advancing any runners that are forced or the result of the play (Ball). rules are 5-1-2a; 5-1-2b; 6-1-1;6-1-2;6-1-3 PEN; 8-1-1d

Once the ball is in the circle in F1s possession, the runners must either attempt to advance or return without hesitation. If I read your description correctly, the runner did just that.

I think not since they were not written in English, nor are they subject to the rulings of SCOTUS.

My grandfather started umpiring in 1926. My father and uncle started umpiring in their teens. My brother, cousin & I started at 13. I took 30 years off after high school and picked up when my brother and cousin retired. So, as of now, there has been a member of my family umpiring for 95 years (skip 2020). I will continue to do it as long as I enjoy it until at least 2026. I did once get my brother and cousin to work with me for a charity game. A couple of notes about my grandfather...he once umpired a charity game that included Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig. He also umpired the Negro League barnstormers when they came through northern NJ. So to answer why I umpire...it is in my blood.

Whoever manages the group determines which features to use/show. One group I belong to does not allow any blocks, the other allows blocks of teams/partners/miles.

He steps behind the plane of the rubber. NFHS rule 6-1-3 says "...he may lift his pivot foot in a step backward off the pitcher's plate which must be in or partially within the 24 inch length of the pitcher's plate..." He is partially within the length of the pitcher's plate.

1. Yes; Yes 2. Rule set will be a determining factor here. The runner can return before leaving the circle around the plate (OBR), NFHS is dead ball area/dugout. The appeal can be touching the plate while in possession of the ball or tag the runner.